SWNA Employment Task Force

Vandana Sareen and Grace E. Daughtridge, Co-Chairs

The SWNA Employment Task Force was established in June 2009 to maximize Section 3, Minority Women Business Enterprise, and First Source opportunities for residents of Southwest and near-Southeast DC.

Proposed Task Force Activities:

• Clearly Identify Project Owners, Contractors and Sub-contractors.
• Ensure meaningful training programs offered; Section 3 plan and First Source plan in place. Example – Green Jobs; Non-Traditional Training for Women.
• Obtain & Provide monthly update on project goals achieved (quantitative & qualitative).
• Coordinate with existing agencies, organizations, resident council & tenant associations to identify priority areas of concerns and gaps.
• Coordinate and assist with dissemination of information and outreach for the hiring and recruiting for training programs.

It is the intent that the SWNA Employment Task Force (ETF) as outlined above will implement SWNA's objective to assist in providing gainful employment for all in the neighborhood without regard to social, economic, and racial barriers. One of the first steps of the ETF will be to contact DC agencies, council office, and job sites to assimilate and map specific construction project information in the neighborhood. Simultaneously, ETF will also re-establish contact with resident council, tenant associations, and area agencies to identify priorities and concerns; programs in place regarding available opportunities. The main role of the ETF will be to connect its resident constituents to the ongoing and upcoming construction opportunities in the neighborhood; monitor and assist in maximizing Section 3; MWBE, and First Source goals for the community. Furthermore, to ensure that the training through the construction sites and job programs incorporate sustainable processes and practices so as to create a basis for competitive advantage towards self-sufficiency.