Graduate puts on ‘another shield of armor’ to build career, and a better life.

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Nov 19, 2024

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Graduate puts on ‘another shield of armor’ to build career, and a better life.

As the time for his graduation ceremony approached, Michael Averett joined his classmates in a small classroom. He donned his cap and gown. Just down a short hallway, family and friends waited for the ceremony to commence. When asked for his thoughts, Averett said it was a great feeling. “It just feels like putting on another shield of armor to try to conquer my career,” Averett said.

Averett was one of nine students who graduated Nov. 14 from the Jobs for Life program at Victory Mission in Columbus, Georgia. Another group of students is scheduled to graduate this week from a Jobs for Life program at Spirit Filled Ministries.

Jobs for Life is 10-week class that’s free for participants and designed to help adults overcome barriers to employment, build confidence, and get ready for successful careers. “This night means I’ve achieved another milestone in my life to become a better person,” said graduate Michael Averett. The Georgia Center for Opportunity, as part of the BETTER WORK Columbus initiative, hosts the program, with BETTER WORK serving as the hub for the program in Columbus. They partner with local churches, provide administrative tools, and train leadership to host the classes.

Strengthening Partnerships: Valley Hospital & Community Organizations

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 26, 2024

Strengthening Partnerships: Valley Hospital & Community Organizations

Featured in the Valley Hospitality Newsletter

We’re excited to share that on Thursday, September 19, 2024, Bella Marshall from our Human Resources team met with key leaders to solidify partnerships that will enhance our workforce initiatives at Valley Hospitality.

Bella had the pleasure of discussing collaborative opportunities with Margaret Jones, CEO of Jobs for Life, and Kristin Barker, VP of Workforce Solutions at Georgia Center for Opportunity & Better Work Columbus. These organizations play a pivotal role in workforce development and align with our commitment to building a strong and sustainable workforce.

The Better Work program is relational which is essential to our goal of life transformation. One way we do this is through Jobs for Life classes o_ered in partnership with churches and non-profits throughout our community.

This program teaches essential skills, incorporates meaningful relationships, and provides ongoing support to Jobs for Life graduates as they transition into the workforce. After completing the 10-week course, participants are not left to navigate the job market alone; instead, they become part of a supportive community committed to their success.

Graduates receive personalized assistance tailored to their unique needs, including connections to job interviewing opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations.

Valley Hospitality is excited to support these e_orts by helping provide these jobs, further strengthening our community through this meaningful partnership!

Free job skills courses offered in Columbus

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Sep 5, 2024

Free job skills courses offered in Columbus

Local job seekers in the Columbus area might beef up their resumes with the launch of a new initiative. Free job skills courses started Aug. 5 with an open house at Victory Mission.

“It is so great for people who are ready for change in their lives and they’re willing to do the work they need to do to create that change,” Kristen Baker, vice president of workforce solutions for the Georgia Center for Opportunity, said.

Read the full article here

Report: Safety-net programs discourage career advancement

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Aug 21, 2024

Report: Safety-net programs discourage career advancement

While safety-net programs such as Medicaid and food stamps support those in need, they “discourage career advancement,” according to new research from the Georgia Center for Opportunity.

The group’s “Workforce Engagement: A Missing Link in Understanding Income Inequality” examines the drivers behind perceived “income inequality” and offers what the group described as “actionable policy solutions.”

The group also suggested offering work incentives for part-time workers to help them move into full-time roles and increase access to vocational training and educational resources.

“The number of hours worked plays a crucial role in driving upward mobility for households in the bottom quintile,” Jason Gaby, a research fellow at GCO and author of the report, said in a release. “By increasing their working hours and transitioning to full-time employment, these individuals can significantly improve their financial standing,” Gaby added. “We can create an environment where more people can achieve financial stability and independence.”

Read the full article here

Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy

by Georgia Center for Opportunity | Jul 9, 2024

Removing work disincentives in the social safety net will strengthen upward mobility and the economy

Policymakers at the national level looking for ways to strengthen economic opportunity too often fixate solely on expanding government programs. Instead, they should embrace a simple goal: eliminating barriers faced by people striving to improve their situation. Removing work disincentives in the social safety net is the best place to start.

A clear example of this kind of disincentive is the benefits cliff: a circumstance in which a raise or a new job can trigger a disproportionately large reduction in safety net benefits, making the household worse off.

Aside from the shock to household stability, such experiences can create the impression that accepting work opportunities — such as a job offer, a raise, or working more hours — is not actually worthwhile for a family.

According to the Georgia Center for Opportunity’s benefits cliffs calculator tool, a Utah single mother of two could typically start to see these “cliffs” between $25,000 and $35,000 in annual earnings, or about $12 to $16 per hour.

To read the full article in the Washington Examiner click here.