Public Hearing Nov 30

Just a reminder...

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
PUBLIC HEARING

November 30, 2009 – 6:00 p.m.
Monroe City Hall Council Chambers
400 Lea Joyner Memorial Expressway
Monroe, LA

Here is the official announcement on The City of Monroe's website (PDF).

Meeting Change

NEW DATE & TIME:

Collective Leaders Meeting

Saturday, November 14

9:45-10:00 Registration & Doughnuts

10:00 - 11:30 Meeting 

Lighthouse Church of God in Christ

601 Plum St.

We have two items on our agenda: 1) housing, specifically action to get rid of abandoned, boarded-up health hazards that abound in Monroe, and 2) NOVA, our workforce development initiative.

This will be a great opportunity for those interested but not yet members to hear about Interfaith. Bring them! 

November Meeting

Collective Leaders Meeting

Monday, Nov. 9, 7:00 pm

Lighthouse Church of God in Christ

611 Plum St.

We will have reports on recent developments regarding NOVA, our workforce development initiative, and research actions in the area of housing.

All members of Interfaith institutions are urged to attend and bring others interested in the work of Interfaith.

NOVA at City Council

NOVA @ City Council

Tuesday, October 13, 5:45 p.m.

Council Chambers, Monroe City Hall

NOVA will be on the Monroe City Council’s agenda for the upcoming City Council meeting. The pre-council meeting begins at 6:00 p.m. and the regular meeting begins at 7:00 p.m.

Members of Interfaith are invited to join NOVA t0 convey our support. Be there at 5:45 p.m.

Upcoming Meetings

Collective Leaders Meetings

Monday, August 10, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church
2930 Jackson St.
Co-chairs: Mary Ann Cooper & Cindy Smith

Monday, September 14, 7:00 - 8:30 pm
St. Alban's Episcopal Church
2816 Deborah Dr.
Co-chairs: Rickie Stringfellow & Bette Jo Kauffman

These meetings are for all members of Interfaith member institutions, plus interested guests. Please get them on your calendar NOW!!

State Funds for NOVA

Representative Rosalind Jones was able to secure $37,500 in the state appropriations bill for NOVA, our labor market intermediary, in Monroe. NOVA works with employers to identify living wage jobs with a career track and benefits. Recruitment of participants is done through Interfaith congregations and neighborhoods. We are pleased to annouce the first two classes will graduate July 7, 7:00 PM at Bethel COGIC in Monroe.

Here are some NOVA statistics:

• Nineteen enrolled in a class in January for Certified Manufacturing Specialist and 15 successfully completed the course.
• Twenty enrolled in the April classs and 14 successfully completed. The number of successful completions for NOVA was higher than that of community college. Total enrolled in both classes was 39 with 29 successful completions.
• Seven participants in the second class will enter computer numeric control program which will garner higher wages. They are waiting for a date for class to begin.
• One student was enrolled at ULM and has graduated. She is in the interview process.
• One student was enrolled at Louisiana Technical and successfully completed the course work. This person has been placed and is currently waiting to take the State Board exam August 9.
• NOVA is working with eight employers to place all graduates.

Status of graduates

• One hire Gardner Denver Thomas $15/hour; 1 Bayou Internet and 2 CPSI; 1 hire Volunteers of America as a social worker.
• There are currently seven participants in the second phase of interview process at Gardner Denver Thomas, they are waiting to be called for drug tests.
• Six participants are in first phase of interviews for three other employers in the Monroe area.

Students at Delta Community College were so impressed by the work Ms. Juanita Woods has done with NOVA participants that they requested their class become part of NOVA. She will work with them and we are exploring contract possibilities for the work she will be doing with these students.

NOVA Commencement

NOVA Commencement
July 7, 7:00 pm
Bethel Church of God in Christ
1800 Parkview Drive

It's time to celebrate: the graduates for their achievement, NOVA for completion of the first class, Interfaith for realization of a dream we have been working toward for several years! Come one and all to this momentous occasion.