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Features
Mother Wants Caps And Gowns For VPK Graduates
Joya Taylor is no differ- ent than any parent that has a child in VPK, and wants to see them have that special moment finishing up the New Year by seeing them in their cap and gown walking across the stage.
Ms. Taylor has a 5-year- old daughter, Janay, who at- tends VPK at Sulphur Springs K-through-8 Elementary. She found out that there wasn’t going to be a celebration for the children’s graduation cer- emony, so she decided to take it upon herself and start plan- ning something special for the children.
“I’m spearheading an effort to get caps and gowns for the little children, ages 4 and 5. It doesn’t matter what color. I will accept it and use it all.
“This will be the first VPK graduation for Sulphur Springs children. Even though my daughter won’t be attending VPK after this year, I still want to make sure every child this year is able to have a VPK celebration with a cap and gown.”
Ms. Taylor will be volun- teering her time and services at the school after her daugh- ter graduates, and she de- scribes herself as a parent trying to make a difference.
JOYA TAYLOR
JANAY TAYLOR
“If anyone has caps and gowns they want to donate to these kids, please contact the school, or contact me at can- dilane40e@yahoo.com.
Partnership Gets $3.8 Million Technology Job Training Grant
The Federal Government has awarded Tampa one of 39 TechHire Partnership Grants across the nation. The $3.8 million grant is a major boost to the innovation district in the University area allowing for programming and training specifically for technology jobs.
It was the result of a part- nership between CareerSource Tampa Bay, University Area Community Development Cor- poration, Hillsborough County, Tampa Bay Technol- ogy Forum and the Tampa In- novation Alliance.
U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor championed the effort.
Partners will work to de- velop programming and train- ing. Education and training providers, including the Uni- versity of South Florida, will allow participants to earn var- ious credentials including cer- tificates and associate degrees in customized programs.
“Our hard-fought federal investment in jobs aims to re- cruit more than 1,000 young adults and low-wage workers
CONGRESSWOMAN KATHY CASTOR
in Tampa and the surrounding area, with a goal of preparing them for well-paying jobs in information technology and health care,” Congress- woman Castor said.
The Tampa Bay TechHire program will expand local technology-related job training programs by focusing on accel- erated training for youth and young adults with barriers to accessing employment.
The program will also train incumbent workers for ad- vancement in critical high- growth IT and Healthcare occupations.
Sarah Combs, Executive Director & CEO of University Area Community Develop- ment Corporation said, “This grant is a huge win for the res-
idents of the University area community and will be the an- swer to many families strug- gling with unemployment and underemployment.
“The University Area CDC is thrilled to be a part of this collaborative to focus on bring- ing job training opportunities to provide residents the fastest paths to good-paying jobs.”
Recognizing that many tech jobs do not require a four- year degree and that tech tal- ent is often cited as an issue for companies, the Federal Gov- ernment launched TechHire in March of 2015. The initiative is designed to build economic de- velopment through growth of technology jobs.
Vice President Joe Biden and Department of Labor Sec- retary Tom Perez announced the release of the competitive grants as part of the White House’s TechHire Initiative.
As the North Tampa area continues to evolve with a focus on becoming an innova- tion district, this grant will serve as a roadmap to higher- wage, middle-class jobs for current residents.
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