Generation Work, a project of the United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, could receive up to $900,000 over four years to increase job opportunities for young adults from low-income families in Hartford.
The funding will come from the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which has awarded a total of $6 million in grants locally and to four other cities: Cleveland, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Seattle. The money will be used for program planning and implementation.
Through Generation Work, the foundation aims to combine building relationships with businesses, factoring in their needs in the local economy, with youth development strategies to prepare young people for work, such as mentoring and on-the-job learning opportunities. Ultimately, Casey said in a statement it hopes to help establish local networks of workforce development organizations that serve young job seekers and have strong connections with businesses.
Locally, Hartford Generation Work is led by United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, working with five other community partners — Capital Workforce Partners, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Hartford Opportunity Youth Collaborative, Our Piece of the Pie and Workforce Solutions Collaborative of Metro Hartford.
Hartford’s initiative will connect young adults, including those out-of-school or work, or underemployed, with education, training and employment for careers in manufacturing and health care. The initiative also intends to improve coordination and collaboration among partners and youth initiatives.
