9301 Michigan Ave. | Detroit, MI 48202 | 313.846.2240
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Ann Leen
June 23, 2021 (248) 404-7166
DETROIT, Michigan – SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress announced today they received a grant award from General Motors (GM) to support SER’s education and workforce development efforts in Detroit.
The grant provided by GM will support the SER Career Pathways Program (Hybrid Model) and the SER Construction Hub Model, comprising of the SER ReBuild Detroit Program and SER YouthBuild Learning Academy (SYLA). The services provided will equip job seekers and youth with the knowledge, education, training and paid work experience relevant to the workforce needs of area employers and education needed to gain access to upward mobility opportunities. SER Metro-Detroit will serve over 100 individuals annually with the goal of increasing high school graduation rates, literacy and numeracy skills, access to industry-recognized credentials and job placements in industry sectors that offer competitive wages and benefits.
“We at SER Metro-Detroit, are extremely proud to receive support from GM that enables us to continue to provide services critical to Detroit residents’ social and economic well-being. The support comes at a critical juncture of our efforts to help meet the needs of the most vulnerable Detroit residents. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to rapidly shift and re-invent our service delivery model to continue addressing the critical education needs of our community families and assist them in upskilling and preparing for their next post-pandemic job. This grant is significant as it will allow us to reach out to those who continue to be left behind and provide them with an opportunity to gain the necessary skills and experience to be more competitive in their future education and employment goals,” said Eva Garza Dewaelsche, SER Metro-Detroit’s President and CEO.
“General Motors is pleased to support SER Metro-Detroit in its efforts to provide Detroiters with the skills, experiences and education needed to gain secure employment,” said Terry Rhadigan, GM’s executive director of communications and citizenship. “Through this partnership, we are eager to create opportunities that enable educational and career growth for individuals in our hometown of Detroit.”
SYLA is part of a national network of programs where unemployed, undereducated and out-of-school young people (ages 16 -24) work toward their GED or high school diploma, while learning job skills by building affordable housing and other community assets in their neighborhoods and engaging in community service and leadership training. Graduates leave prepared for success in postsecondary education, careers, and registered apprenticeships and as a part of a strong and supportive community.
RBD is a free eight-week apprenticeship readiness program designed to help Detroit residents (18 and older) gain acceptance into an apprenticeship, secure a union position, or find employment in the construction trades. Students will gain math and reading skills, obtain credentials such as OSHA 30 and CPR/First Aid/AED, and gain exposure to various construction trades through field trips to unions, trades training centers and local construction companies. As Detroit construction businesses struggle to fill open positions amid a tightening supply of qualified workers, investing in targeted workforce development programs will strengthen the pipeline, and create new career opportunities for thousands of underserved residents.
About SER Metro-Detroit
SER Metro-Detroit, Jobs for Progress, Inc. (SER) is a community-based organization that believes in the potential of each and every individual. For 50 years, SER has assisted thousands of at-risk 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.
About General Motors
General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com.