HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Urban Empowerment Corp.u
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The 'Urban Empowerment Corporation
Rebuilding our community together — preserving the Legacy
The UEC is Coconut Grove's community based Community Development Corporation.
The UEC not only represents and includes the community and community partners, but also
serves the needs of the community and community organizations and businesses. It exists to
promote community and economic development for the entire West Grove community. The UEC
has a history of providing services that improve the quality for life for individuals, businesses and
organizations in this community.
Basic Programs and Services
Training and Employment : The UEC provides pre -employment skills training for youth and adults, job
placerent and skill training. The UEC partners with the community and South Florida Work Force to
provide a one -stop resource center where residents can find jobs and support services from UEC Partners.
Sit
Economic flevelopment: The UEC creates new job and small businesses and also provides Technica
Assistance for the Island District Merchant's Association and incubator space to small businesses.
Culture and Historic Preservation: UEC partners with community organizations to sponsor Kwanza
celebrations, participates in Goombay and promotes the preservation of the West Grove culture, historic and
sacred places.
Housing: UEC provided credit counseling, a Homeownership Fair, a homeownership club and housing
development. The UEC participates in the Building Together Program to rehabilitate homes for seniors and
disabled residents in the West Grove community. The UEC has proposed a mixed —use homeownership
Transit Oriented Development which will provide income back to the community with affordable
Homeownership and business space. It will also revitalize and expand the Frankie Rolle Center to better serve
the community. UEC also helps refer residents to resources and provide community education on housing
issues.
Partner- + Capacity R iiI iina : The UEC facilitates partnerships in the community y t
and provides technical assistance to strengthen community organizations and share resources. tattk
The UEC Employment Progam
Are You Looking for a JOB?
program and the Ad_ ':es funded by
The motto of the Will Program is "Where there is a WELL there is a WAY" hschIdrxrdsTrUS-
The WILL Program, funded by The Children's Trust, is for youth ages 16-18. The Pre -Employment Skills
program serves adults who are unemployed and live in Coconut Grove. The UEC is currently operating these
programs 9 am -1 pm daily. The Second Session begins October 1, 2007
Phase 11 : Work Experience, On -The -Job Training and Apprenticeship Training
Participants will learn constructions trades, culinary arts, marine trades and janitorial services.
Phase El begins October 5, 2007
Phase 111 : Job Placement Follow up and Small Business Development for Youth and Adults
The UEC will continue to place job ready participants throughout the course of the program and follow-up on
their progress for up to one year after placement.
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
3672 Grand Avenue* P.O. Box 330075 " Miami, Florida ' 33233-0075
Tel: (305)446-3095/6 • Fax: (305)446-99:32 *" G.-Ma l: orb it Sri1 r
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FACT Sheet
3672 Grand Avenue
Miami, FL 33133
(305) 446-3095
urbanempowernmt@belkouth.net
The Urban Empowerment Corporation (UEC) is a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt Community Development
Corporation, a true grassroots neighborhood center that has been in existence since 1980 (28) years. It
is governed by a board of directors and administered by an Executive Director. The UEC is located in,
and will serve participants in, the Neighborhood Development Zone, Model Block and Community
Business Corridor.
Over the Agency's twenty- eight year history, the agency has done much to implement a multi -tired
approach to economic development — including:
• Direct commercial development, business stimulation and job creation by the agency itself
through commercial rentals to minority businesses„ thereby stimulating further economic
development and employment opportunities in the Grand Avenue Corridor.
• In November 1997, the agency completed its small business incubator at 3672 Grand Avenue.
The incubator houses the Urban Empowerment Corporation (UEC) and eight incubator spaces
to promote the growth and expansion of existing and start-up small businesses through the
provision of the office space, a shared receptionist, shared Fax /copier facilities.
• Over the past ten years the agency has acquired property along the Grand Avenue Corridor,
these properties are located at 3670-74, 3659 Grand Avenue. These storefronts are businesses,
both create revenues for the non-profit corporation, to promote commercial development in the
Grand Avenue Corridor and promote minority businesses. Its on -going commercial
management of its own properties secures the vested interests of the West Grove Island District
in ensuing economic participation of minority business persons and low-income job seekers in
our local economy.
• The UEC has been the only organization to provide technical assistance to businesses in Miami
Dade County District 7 located in the business commercial corridor of Coconut Grove and the
City of South Miami. Since 2003, our agency has assisted over 50 businesses to obtain a total
of $200,000 and technical assistance to support the retention of 20 businesses; subcontracted
with the founding organization of the Mom and Pop Grant Program- NANA, Inc
• The UEC has supported small businesses through financing assistance through referrals to
South Florida Regional Planning Council, Accion, Neighbors and Neighbors Association,
Micro -Business USA and other financing venues.
• The UEC is the only organization in the West Grove that provides job assistance to the
unemployed residents. UEC has maintained an employment service help locate jobs, provide
employability skills training and counseling and place youth and adults into permanent jobs and
self-employment.
• The UEC has coordinated a partnership of community based organizations that provide support
services to help unemployed and underemployed persons deal with their personal needs, get
vital records, transportation, prepare resumes and get their required employment documents in
order to become job ready and retain jobs.
• The UEC also provides employment services for youth, ages 14 — 19 both in After -school and
Out- of- School programs each year.
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
Urban Empowerment Corporation Summary of Services and Community
Development Efforts
Recent Grants for Economic Development Services
• January 2004—June 2006: Miami- Dade County NHS, $11,000/Youth employment services for
ages 14-16.
Outcomes: 100% (15 youth) provided employability skill development and summer
employment each year.
• June 2006 —June 2007: Renewal funding for Miami- Dade County HNS, $11,000/Youth
employment services, ages 14-16.
Outcomes: 100% (15 youth) provided employability skill development and summer
employment
• February 2007 — December 2007: A $50,000 Starter Grant from The Children's Trust provided
just enough funding to support the WILL Program /Youth employment training and placement
for youth ages 16 —18.
Outcomes: 100% (30 youth), successfully completed the program in December 2007
• November 2007 — current: UEC Job Resource Center - $120,000 to be funded by Miami -Dade
County and other sources / $20,000 currently pledged from Miami —Dade County. 150
unemployed/underemployed people to be served.
Outcomes: served 137 people, placed 34 people from November 1 — December 30, 2007.
• December 2007 / February 2008: Small Business Technical Assistance —Job Creation,
Outcomes:12 jobs to be created by providing technical assistance to local small businesses.
The maximum award is $167,282 reimbursable (up to) $75per hour.
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
URBAN EMPOWERMENT CORPORATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2007-2008
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
MANUEL ALONSO-POCH, ESQ. - CHAIRMAN
3138 Commodore Plaza — Ste. 318
Miami, Florida 33133
(305) 448-4053 (W) (305) 448-1370 (F)
(305) 205-2933 (C)
reap r malonsopech.con
PASTOR JEFFERY HAMILTON (TITLE)
Shady Grove Baptist Church
103 Grand Avenue
Florida 33133
(305) 335-6198
ham iitonOdadeschooIs. net
BISHOP W1LL[E LEONARD, TREASURER
St. Matthews Community Church
36 16 Day Avenue
Miami. Florida 33 133
(305) 443-5683 (W)
(305) 529-0110 (F)
INSERT EMAIL ADDRESS
DIRECTORS
Ms, Lottie Person, 31 1 1 Plaza Street - P.O. Box 331682. Miami 33233 (Mail all info to P.D. Box) - (305) 441-2013
Mr. Travis Swain. Coconut Grove Cares/The Barnyard, 3870 Washington Avenue 33133 - (305) 446-6216 (W)
Exceptive Director — Cecila E. Holloman . MA , MA. 3D
ATTORNEY
Mr. John Little.. Attorney. Legal Services of Greaser Miami - 3000 Biscayne Boulevard. Miami 33137— Suite #500
(305) 576-0080 EXT. 346 (305) 573-5800 (F) 1/07/08
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Pk lseilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
1
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The Urban Tmpc wermen;�T Corporation
Th•e UEC Employment Program was established by The Urban Empowerment Corporation
(UEC) and its community partIA r% to assist in creating new jobs and business opportunities for
unemployed and under -employed individuals primarily in Coconut Grove, South Miami and
surrounding communities. The UEC and its community partners prepare participants to enter the
workforce by first addressing the personal needs and removing obstacles to employability.
Community Partners provide support services for the trainees including mentoring, child care
and after school support for families of the trainees, health screening, legal and mental health
assistance, housing and credit repair assistance and transportation throughout the training period
and for the first year of employment. Services are free of charge for South Florida residents.
• If they have issues with delinquent child support, they are able to utilize their
participation in this program to comply with the child support order and earn an income
to pay their child support.
• If they have fines or legal violations, this program helps them pay their obligations and
get clearances that remove legal barriers to future employment.
If they have problems budgeting and managing money, they learn how to do both and
they earn the money to budget and to manage. Credit repair assistance is available
• If they have never worked in a real work setting, they will have a period to transition into
the workplace by participating in the work experience phase; learning through hands-on
tutelage from skilled industry trainers.
• If they have not developed marketable skills, they not only develop these skills through
apprenticeship programs and may begin their careers with the companies that train them.
• Additionally the project provides the support services and mentoring support that helps
them to adjust to the work experience and helps to walk them successfully through the
more unfamiliar expectations of the workplace. So if they need help each day to make the
necessary adjustments, they have that help from caring, trained mentors residing in their
community.
The UEC Job Resource Cente • located in the heart of the community, coordinates partnership
services. job search, work -experience and apprenticeship training. The UEC provides pre-
employment training, job placement and follow-up and technical assistance for small business
development.
En the first two months of operations, from November 1— December 31, 2007, the UEC
provided employability skills services for 97 unemployed persons and placed 31 persons
into permanent jobs through the Job Resource Center,
1
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk
south f for
One
and in Partnership
THE Coconut Grove Joh Resource Center is established in partnership between South Florida
Workforce and The Urban Empowerment Corporation.
South Florida Workforce has converted the UEC conference room into a resource room with 8 PC Job
stations. The Center is staffed by loaned Job Specialists from South Florida Workforce who come to the
UEC Job Resource Center twice a week to help job seekers search for jobs on the SFW Career stations.
UEC staff and partners work with job seekers Tuesday through Thursday providing pre -employment
training, job search assistance, job counseling, placement, follow-up and support services.
After many years of providing employment services by UEC and efforts by the Coconut Grove
community to improve job opportunities for its residents, the community has partnered to support the
Coconut Grove .lob Resource Center upgrading job counseling and placement services to make sure there
is a local support system in place to remo` e barriers to employment.
Mondays
Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Fridays
Coconut Grove Job Resource Center Hours and Services
* Positive Partners provide support services for the Job Resource Center
All services are provided in the UEC office, 3672 Grand Avenue in Coconut Grove.
8:30 - 5 pm
8 am - 7 pm
gam -I pm
llam-2pm
gam-1 pm
11 am-2pm
gam-4pm
11 am-2 pm
8:30 - 5 pm
8 am - 7 pm
SFWF Job Search on SFW Career stations
Mentoring by Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance & HOATA
UEC Pre -employability Skills Training
Health counseling by Helen Bentley Health Center
UEC Resume and Workforce Preparation classes
Substance Abuse services by Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance
Licenses, expungement, ID assistance, counseling
UEC Interviews and Job Search assistance
Financial literacy/credit repair, math /reading by Partners for Progress
SFWF Job Search on SFW Career stations
Mentoring by the Coconut Grove Ministerial Alliance IHOATA
Child Care provided by St. Albans Child Enrichment Censer by appointment
Youth recreation /respite services provided by Virrick Park
Dress for Success services provided by Partners for Progress and Seniors in Action
Apprenticeship training provided by South Florida Apprenticeship Training Program
Food service provided by Southern Experience Catering, Inc.
Legal services and criminal record expungement are provided by the State Attorneys Office
For more information please contact UEC Project Director Sharon Harrell at 305-446-3095
3672 Grand Avenue * P.O. Box 330075 * Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 *(305) 446-3095 Office/ (305) 446-9932 Fax * sofftertuchq,aol.com
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
2 item D2.2 on 03-13-08
Priscilla A. Thompson
City Clerk