Page 32 - Florida Sentinel 9-25-20

Local
Non-Profits Partner With Bank Of America To Address Economic Needs Of Minorities
CDC of Tampa, Inc. and Pinel- las County Urban League get $150,000 investment from Bank of America to help en- hance workforce development programs and is part of the bank’s $1 billion, four-year national commitment to address economic recovery needs
Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc. (CDC of Tampa), and the Pinel- las County Urban League an- nounced last Wednesday (Sept. 23rd) that through a $75,000 commitment from Bank of America to each organization, they’re now able to expand their workforce development pro- grams to fund additional virtual trainings, job placement and re- lief assistance for minority com- munities in the Tampa Bay area who were hit hardest by COVID-19.
Blacks/African American (B/AA) and Hispanics/Latinos (H/L) are disproportionately affected by poverty, pre-existing health conditions, and unem- ployment. COVID-19 has mag- nified these historical inequities, further widening the racial-wealth gap and demon- strating a heightened need for workforce training and reskilling.
“Although we had to close our physical doors as result of the pandemic, we have contin- ued to meet the demands of our clients through online training and telephone counseling,” said
ERNEST CONEY, JR. ...CEO, CDC Of Tampa, Inc.
Ernest Coney, CEO of CDC of Tampa. “The enhancement of our virtual programming and comprehensive workshops will allow us to expedite retraining from hospitality and tourism positions to more stable ca- reers, such as construction and manufacturing.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Pinellas County Urban League and CDC of Tampa have seen a substantial increase in the number of indi- viduals requesting assistance and seeking reemployment due to furloughs and layoffs.
The CDC of Tampa, which offers job coaching, skills devel- opment and training, has expe- rienced a 231% increase in the number of individuals served in their workforce development programs compared to 2019.
As part of the new initiatives made possible by the funding, the organization is partnering with the City of Tampa to create
WATSON HAYNES, II ...President, Pinellas County Urban League
a talent pipeline in construction to facilitate the hiring and train- ing of entry-level and skilled positions.
Similarly, Pinellas County Urban League provides re- sources and services for resi- dents seeking reemployment, small business assistance and support due to the pandemic. The organization also expanded sessions focused on mental health and wellness to address
stress and anxiety caused by fi- nancial uncertainties.
“Many of our customers who have been affected by busi- ness closures are highly con- cerned about making ends meet, which has led to a rise in requests for assistance with job placement, training, and even more critical basic needs, such as rent, bill payment and food,” said Watson L. Haynes, II, President of Pinellas County Urban League. “Our long-term partnership with Bank of Amer- ica helps further our mission to empower our community and combat the current health cri- sis.”
With a focus on improving lives and strengthening com- munities, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation earlier this year announced a nation- wide $1 billion, four-year com- mitment to help local nonprofit partners address economic and racial equality. The two new $75,000 Tampa Bay-area
grants are in addition to $25,000 grants the organiza- tions also received earlier this year to address immediate COVID-19 needs in the pan- demic’s early stages.
“The current health and economic crisishas dispropor- tionately impacted communi- ties of color, and we’re committed to doing everything in our power to help these com- munities overcome barriers to social and economic opportuni- ties,” said Bill Goede, Tampa Bay market president for Bank of America. “Pinellas County Urban League and CDC of Tampa are doing incredible work to provide Tampa Bay area residents the tools and re- sources they need to rebuild their lives and get back on their feet toward financial stability.”
To learn more and support these organizations in their ef- forts, visit www.cdcoftampa.org/ and www.pcul.org/.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 13-A