Over the Carnival weekend, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) hosted a program to employ workers for a variety of jobs with various City departments. For example, Community Ambassadors handed out more than 15,000 face coverings with the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (NOHSEP). In addition, workers passed out 4,500 flyers that informed residents about resources and services available at JOB1; while others cleaned up playgrounds through our partnership with NORD. Also, 17 people registered to work with the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination (OCJC); 10 ended up working with the department.
“My office was thrilled to connect more than 10 re-entry clients to wage-earning opportunities under the Mardi Gras jobs program,” said Tenisha Stevens, Commissioner of the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination. “This Administration recognizes the tremendous challenges individuals face upon exiting the justice system. We are committed to providing these hard-working men and women with every opportunity to succeed in their life.”
“I am truly grateful for JOB1 at a time like this to allow me to make some money,” said Lonnie Hines, program participant. “I was looking forward to the Mardi Gras cleanup as usual. I was disappointed when Mardi Gras was canceled because that meant no extra money could be made. JOB1 changed that story for me and my family.”
“Thank you all over there at JOB1. I’m really hopeful that things will turn around for the citizens of New Orleans,” said Glennshawn Fisher, program participant.
The City also has partnered with ARC New Orleans to enroll some of its participants this weekend to earn $100 per day. In the future, OWD/JOB1 will continue to provide employment opportunities through work experiences, on-the-job trainings and transitional jobs through the National Dislocated Worker Grant, if eligible. If hired, participants can be paid up to $20,000 in wages and supportive services. The department is awaiting approval to increase this amount to $30,000 per participant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
This program will allow jail re-entry participants up to 12 months of steady work until they are connected with permanent employment. Scholarships, as well as training opportunities, will also be available to participants depending on the industry.
Once more job opportunities are available, the Office of Workforce Development will make them known to the public. In the meantime, for a listing of available job opportunities, please visit the website by clicking here.
