SER Metro-Detroit Awarded Grant From Bank of America to Help Southwest Detroit Residents Get Jobs

DETROIT, MI, February 20, 2013 (Press-News.org) SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. (SER) will use a recent grant from Bank of America to strengthen its ability to meet the needs of job seekers in Southwest Detroit. According to Data Driven Detroit, the unemployment rate for this area is 29.3%. When considering those who have stopped looking for work, that percent increases to 47.7%. Many of these residents are unable to find and keep jobs because they lack the basic skills and credentials required by employers. In fact, 41.2% lack a high school diploma or equivalent.

In 2013, SER will help over 100 unemployed residents from Southwest Detroit improve their skills and ability to find a job. The services will be partly funded by a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America that was awarded to SER through a competitive selection process in late 2012.

Through SER's Center for Working Families, these individuals will receive assistance with preparing a resume, improving their ability to find and interview for jobs, and developing needed technology and communication skills for the workplace. Some may be referred to SER's construction training and GED program for young adults. SER will also refer qualified residents to job openings through its wide network of 30+ employers. SER's bilingual staff is prepared to serve those with limited English skills. In 2012, SER placed nearly 90 individuals into jobs.

SER will also help Southwest Detroit residents to establish a personal budget, access benefits available for low-income families, pay down debt, improve their credit scores and work towards self-sufficiency. These services will primarily target the 33.8% of Southwest Detroit households that have incomes below the federal poverty level. SER's Center for Working Families is also supported by LISC/Detroit and United Way for Southeastern Michigan. In 2012, SER helped 165 residents improve their financial position by increasing their net income, net worth and/or credit score.

SER Metro Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. (SER) is a community-based organization that believes in the potential of each and every individual. For the past 40 years, SER has assisted thousands of marginalized and disadvantaged residents from across the City of Detroit and the region in becoming self-sufficient through quality employment, education and training programs. For more information visit http://www.sermetro.org