Housing Works graduates recognized by Neighborhood Concepts
$15,000 grant from Wells Fargo makes job-readiness program possible
Press Release Huntsville, Alabama December 16, 2014
Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. and Wells Fargo recently recognized eight graduates of the Housing Works program. The program, which is targeted to the unemployed and under-employed, provides skills and training necessary to compete in today’s job market with the goal of creating greater self-sufficiency. Coupled with the training, participants can receive assistance with housing and utility costs lessening their financial burden as they transition into employment.
Graduates of the program are residents of Spring Branch Apartments, an affordable apartment community in Huntsville. Seventy-five percent of the graduates currently receive some amount of rental subsidy from the federal government to assist with their housing cost. “It is our hope that the Housing Works program provides these residents with the tools they need to secure meaningful employment that will foster greater self-sufficiency and less dependence on federal subsidy programs,” said Mary Ellen Judah, the Executive Director of Neighborhood Concepts which is one of the owners of Spring Branch.
Participants learned important skills such as resume writing, utilization of the internet for job search and appropriate dress for interviews. The training also focused on communication skills, customer service, teamwork, work ethic and organizational skills. Each participant was presented with a USB flash drive on which to store their resume as well as a portfolio to take with them to job interviews. “We believe strongly that programs such as Housing Works are an integral part of what we strive to do – provide affordable homes for families and equip them with skills for success,” stated Jeff Rice, co-owner of Spring Branch.
Housing Works is a program of Neighborhood Concepts, Inc., a Huntsville-based non-profit committed to strengthening neighborhoods through the creation of affordable housing and the promotion of economic opportunity.
The Housing Works program was made possible wit
h a $15,000 grant from Wells Fargo. “We are happy to support Housing Works as they help people become more self-sufficient and get closer to achieving their financial goals and dreams,” said Stephen Norris, Area President for Wells Fargo. This is the second year that Wells Fargo has provided funding for Housing Works. In addition to providing funding for the training as well as housing and utility assistance, the Wells Fargo grant also covered costs associated with providing childcare for the participants during the classes. “Thanks to Wells Fargo’s generous support, Neighborhood Concepts is able to provide immediate assistance as well as long term solutions to support self-sufficiency,” said Judah.