Title
Approval of a Resolution Authorizing an Agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
The project was presented and discussed at the December 8, 2021 General Government Committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program.
Report
Issue:
Whether to Approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program; an initiative aimed at workforce development for members of our homeless population.
Staff Contact:
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director, 360.753.8591
Presenter(s):
Mike Reid, Economic Development Director
William Westmoreland, Pacific Mountain Workforce Development
Background and Analysis:
As part of the City of Olympia’s commitment to continued support of the ThurstonStrong Regional Economic Recovery effort staff have worked with the Pacific Mountain Workforce Development Council to develop a program aimed at increasing workforce development services and income generating opportunities to our unhoused community. This effort is rooted in two primary planning documents of the City of Olympia, the Comprehensive Plan and the One Community Plan.
In the Economy chapter of the Comprehensive Plan item GE6 “Collaboration with other partners maximizes economic opportunity” and PE6.5 “Collaborate with local economic development organizations to create and maintain existing living-wage jobs”.
The One Community Plan states in strategy 1.7 “Prioritize pathways to economic opportunity that help people find longer-term security” with the subsequent implementation approaches:
• Provide case management to help people overcome barriers to employment - e.g. securing an ID card, addressing outstanding warrants or fines, obtaining a high school diploma or GED.
• Coordinate with Workforce Council, Chambers, Colleges and other partners that can help connect people to training and/or employment.
• Leverage abilities and insights of social service agencies to develop pathway programs and identify appropriate strategies for connecting target audiences.
• Ensure programs are inclusive and appropriate for diverse populations, ages.
• Reduce panhandling by creating low-barrier, creative employment opportunities that helps people earn income without impacting other community members.
The Journey2Jobs project is an 18-month effort focused on working with residents in the Plum Street Village, Drexel House, and Quince Street Village (formerly known as mitigation site), and potentially Rosie’s Place to inspire hope, offer real opportunities for work experience and skill gain, engender community support by demonstrating commitment by unhoused neighbors to assume responsibility for their environment, and invest in their community.
Planning and implementation of Journey2Jobs include these considerations:
• Develop self-sufficiency skills of homeless residents
• Serve approximately 40 residents experiencing homelessness with an array of services that prepare them for paid work experiences
• Pass-through a significant amount of the $625,000 award (70%+) to fund wages, stipends and to provide services to residents
• Provide residents the opportunity to contribute to the management of their community
• Investigate the possibility of a micro-enterprise that could provide income to the participating residents.
• Project coordination included in the budget
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
The concept of the Journey2Jobs program is rooted in the City’s One Community plan which had broad community interest and participation in its creation.
Options:
1. Approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program.
2. Do not Approve a Resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program.
3. Consider the Resolution authorizing an agreement with Pacific Mountain Workforce Development for the Journey2Jobs Program at another time.
Financial Impact:
As a part of the Economic Recovery package approved by Council on May 4, 2021, a commitment of $1.375m for future ThurstonStrong efforts was made. The Journey2Jobs concept would utilize $625,000 of that funding. The funding for this project comes from the Economic Development Reserves
Attachments:
Resolution
Agreement