COMMUNITY ACTION DULUTH

We get people employed!

“I love it, it’s work, and it’s great!” says Walter Alexander about his new job with the Minnesota Department of Transportation(MNDOT). Walter, along with Elizabeth Burnham and Valerie Whitebird, got a job with MNDOT last fall as a result of an exciting new partnership between MNDOT and Community Action Duluth.

This collaboration began about a year ago when Community Action Duluth was connected with MNDOT, and learned of their desire to increase the diversity of their workforce. Throughout many conversations, MNDOT staff learned about the many ways that Community Action Duluth helps low income people get prepared for success in the workplace. As a result, in October 2011, MNDOT contacted Community Action Duluth about the maintenance positions that
were opening up and wanted to invite some of our participants to apply. Three participants were referred for the 6 month maintenance worker positions and all
three were hired!

“The workers are doing well, they have established good working relationships and they are doing well in learning their jobs”, reports Sandy Danmeier, MNDOT
Human Resources Supervisor, “We are thankful to Community Action Duluth for sending us such quality employees.”

Staff at Community Action Duluth and MNDOT are continuing to work together to grow this mutually beneficial partnership. Walter, Elizabeth and Valerie continue to receive support through the programs at Community Action Duluth to ensure that they are able to make the most out of this transformative employment opportunity. In Walter’s own words, “I thank God for Community Action and
for MNDot. If it weren’t for Community Action I wouldn’t have this job. It’s wonderful.”

Did you know?- 22% of Duluth residents are living in poverty. We know from the census that the majority of them are employed!

Did you know? - Poverty does not just hurt people on public assistance- it affects children, seniors, veterans, those who recently finished college and those who just lost a job.

YOUR INVESTMENT PRODUCES TANGIBLE OUTCOMES

October 2010-September 2011

• 28 People became first-time homebuyers through our matched savings programs and housing counseling
• 26 Families purchased an affordable, reliable vehicle through our JumpStart program
• 18 Job counselors and 43 institutional leaders attended Race Awareness Workshops provided by Community Action Duluth
• 56 People were employed after working with an employment coach or advocate
• 1660 Households received over $3 million in refunds with help from our free tax site
• 26 People received tuition assistance to attend college through our matched savings program or agency fundung
• 220 People increased their savings in our Duluth Saves and FAIM programs
• 50 New evening and weekend bus routes were added in January 2011 by the DTA in partnership with our community engagement programs
• 8 People work year round in our green jobs programs and 17 more were employed seasonally
• Our Stream Corps planted 7500 trees and shrubs in partnership with the EPA to restore streams and reduce erosion
• Our Seeds of Sucess program turned 12 vacant lots into productive gardens and grew 2040 pounds of vegetables that were donated to local non-profits
• Community Action Duluth energy outreach canvassers reached over 1000 people which resulted in 350 people attending neighborhood energy workshops
• Our partnership with MN Power provided new energy efficient fridges, light bulbs and lamps to low-income tenants
• 16 Low-income homeowners repaired their homes through our Home Repair Matched savings program
• 150 People increased their financial knowledge and skills through our Common Cents class
• 75 People completed Getting Ahead Leadership Development classes