Venice Ervin, Community Coordinator of the Workforce Development Board's Gun Violence Prevention Grant has been appointed to serve on the Utica Common Council. He fills the vacancy of the 5th Ward Common Council seat.

A Utica resident for 62 years and living in the Cornhill neighborhood for 55 years, Venice has been heavily involved in his community for many decades. He has worked as a Youth Program Director for JCTOD Outreach, a Program Director for Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency and served as President of the Utica/Oneida County Branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and on the board of the Parkway Center.

“My family and I chose to live in Cornhill to promote positive changes and enhance the lives of the youth and families in our neighborhood," Venice says. "Working as a Youth Programs Director at JCTOD Outreach Center exposed me to a lot of the challenges low-income families are facing."

His appointment fills the vacancy until the end of this year (December 31st, 2022) as there will be a special election in November to fill the remainder of the term.

From NYATEP: "In honor of Black History Month, we acknowledge the ongoing contributions of African American & African-Caribbean leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting the workforce development system and the economic mobility needs of New Yorkers. We want to thank our Trailblazers for serving as mentors and role models for our emerging workforce and the thousands of clients they serve.

"Although Black History Month is coming to an end, we are committed to continue celebrating, elevating and promoting their contributions and accomplishments."

TA was released in July 2021 after 16 years of incarceration. Due to his previous offenses he knew he had a hard road ahead of him. The Re-Entry Task Force (RTF) assisted him with obtaining his documentation, linking him to community support services, and securing a NYS driver license. He was able to acquire part-time employment and continued to seek out other opportunities. He was hired by a few local store owners for general maintenance, janitorial duties, and customer services as needed. Due to his strong work ethic, trustworthiness, and attention to detail, the store owners started recommending him to other businesses.

TA recently went to the Utica City Clerk to apply for a business certificate. His intention is to start his own business cleaning refuse from residential and commercial property. With the assistance of the RTF, we met with the Mohawk Valley Small Business Development Center (SBDC) via ZOOM. Now the SBDC is in agreement to assist him by providing him resources on how to develop a strong business plan. They also did their research for various grant programs that target individuals touched by the criminal justice system for additional funding. He was linked to two available resources already.

It is his hope that he will be able to establish a strong credit history; secure a loan to purchase business insurance, truck and trailer; help give back by employing others returning to the community; and become a marketable business owner in Oneida County.

"Career Corps is a program through MVCC's Rome campus where 18–24-year-olds will participate in a 200-hour paid work experience in local, participating businesses," says MVCC Workforce Development Coordinator Jaime Gallardo. "These young adults will get hands on work experience and develop an understanding of competencies employers want and develop both hard skills and soft skills. Additional training outside of the work experience will consist of individualized support services as well as a Job Readiness and Employability Skills curriculum. The overall goal of the program is to connect individuals with the training and experience they need to enter high-growth, good-paying careers in the community.

"The work experience gained is designed to assist participants in making a transition to work. Participants will learn habits and behaviors related to job search and work including communication strategies. They will learn the necessary skills to work with people from diverse backgrounds. The relationships developed between the work experience supervisor and the participant could result in recommendation for employment and a future career.

"I am currently in the process of reaching out to local businesses to find local employers that will participate with this program, as well as applicants for the program."

Career Corps will connect young adults with the training they need to enter high-growth, good-paying careers. Individuals will be given hands-on work experience at local employers. Local opportunities include the following: Healthcare, Manufacturing, Warehousing, and Construction.

• 200 PAID hours of work experience

• Individualized support services regarding employment planning and training

• Learn important competencies and skills that employer’s value

To qualify, you must be an Oneida County resident that meets WIOA eligibility standards and is between the ages of 18-24 years old.

Interested businesses and applicants please contact, Jaime Gallardo at (315) 339-3470 ext. 7703 or jgallardo@mvcc.edu

• Case Managers devote 100% of their time to specific grant populations depending on the grant requirements.

• Assist Program Director by providing direct services including program recruitment and retention. Provide leadership training to participants as well as mentoring and support.

• Counsel individuals with meeting education and employment goals and with all employment related activities

• Secure information such as education, skills and social factors contributing to the client’s situation and evaluate their needs.

• Assist the client with resumes, cover letters, job searches and interview preparation.

• Provide on the job support as needed once the individual becomes employed.

• Compile records and complete case notes and reports.

Bachelor’s degree in related field, master’s degree a plus.

Experience in case management.

Reliable transportation.

Must pass background check.

Health insurance

401K employer match up to 6%

2 weeks’ vacation

12 sick/personal days

14 paid holidays.

To apply, email cover letter & resume to: kbetti@working-solutions.org

Madison County Working Solutions will be holding a FREE job fair on April 26th from 10:00am - Noon at The White Eagle in Hamilton. More info to come!

Questions? Please call Ellen Bowe at 315.363.2400 or via email at ellen.bowe@madisoncounty.ny.gov

To learn more about the WANTO program and how you can participate, contact Project Manager, Stephanie Heiland at 315.207.6951 x110 or sheiland@working-solutions.org

Interested youth ages 14-21 can contact employers in the Old Forge area directly for employment. Many work at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari and that application can be done online at https://www.watersafari.com/jobs/

After being hired, you will have to contact the Youth Bureau at 315-867-1213 to set up a time to complete the application to ride the bus and get an ID.

The focus of this course is hands-on experience with a dozer, loader, backhoe, excavator, and dump truck. Includes practical machinery care and daily maintenance. Student must provide suitable clothing for the operation of this machinery. Valid driver's license is required. First Aid/CPR and OSHA-10 included. Purchase of textbook, hard hat, gloves, and safety glasses required.

WHEN: April 25th - June 20th

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Thursdays | 3 - 8 PM

plus Saturdays | 7 AM - 3:30 PM

WHERE: Madison-Oneida BOCES

Verona, NY

Tuition: $2500

Register by phone (315)361-5800 or online by clicking the link below

To learn more about the services that Madison County Working Solutions can offer, contact Ellen Bowe: 315-363-2400, ellen.bowe@madisoncounty.ny.gov

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays

or

Note: Friday evening classes (only) will be held virtually

Tuition: $2580

Call (315)361-5800 to register,or register online by clicking below:

MVCAA received a grant from Taco Bell Foundation to support direct financial assistance for youth ages 16-24 who are facing barriers to career readiness and gaining interviews.

MVCAA will provide direct financial assistance in the amount of $100 for 70 youth to purchase professional interview attire or any attire that may be needed for work readiness such as scrubs or work boots.

The financial assistance may also include bus passes or cab fare, hygiene products, assistance with obtaining a driver's license, fees for recovering paperwork such as a birth certificate, or any other need that would directly support work readiness.

Their ultimate goal is to help youth ages 16-24 obtain job interviews and ultimately, successful employment.

The WDB also has a new Facebook page where we'll be featuring our grant learning programs and incentives. Please Like/Follow us and share our posts to get the word out about these great programs! https://www.facebook.com/WDBHMO

And you can also follow us here on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hmowdb/

Businesses: Madison County Working Solutions will be holding a job fair on April 26th from 10:00am - Noon at The White Eagle in Hamilton. If you are interested in attending, please call Ellen Bowe at 315.363.2400 or via email at ellen.bowe@madisoncounty.ny.gov Please communicate the number of job openings and positions you are hiring. Preference will be given to Madison County employers! There is no cost for this event.  

For more information and eligibility requirements please visit: www.labor.ny.gov/youthjobs  

Do you have something you'd like to share? A hiring event, learning/training opportunity, announcement, community news, program news, staff news, success story or personal achievement? Photos are always welcome! Please email Jodi Delapaz,

Communications Coordinator:

info@working-solutions.org|