Last week I toured the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency with its director, Ms. Deborah Lum, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement. They do so much here for the poor, the underserved and really — just anyone that is striving in their lives for a future that is "better," brighter and more aspirational.
The center grew and helped high students attend college under Mayor Shirley Franklin, and is doing even more under the administration of Mayor Kasim Reed.
Just some of what they do include administering employment and training programs mandated under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) of 1998 to the citizens of Atlanta and to offer workforce solutions to metro Atlanta businesses. This breaks down to and includes:
- Career counseling
- GED certification!
- Employment readiness
- Resume writing assistance
- Job search assistance
- Computer literacy classes
- Free tax preparation
- Taxi (driver) classes and testing
Anyway, check them out online at the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency, and tell them Operation HOPE sent you!
Onward and with HOPE
John Hope Bryant is a thought leader, founder, chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE and Bryant Group Companies, Inc. Magazine/CEO READ bestselling business author of LOVE LEADERSHIP: The New Way to Lead in a Fear-Based World (Jossey-Bass) the only African-American bestselling business author in America, and is chairman of the Subcommittee for the Under-Served and Community Empowerment for the U.S. President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, for President Barack Obama. Mr. Bryant is the co-founder of the Gallup-HOPE Index, the only national research poll on youth financial dignity and youth economic energy in the U.S. He is also a co-founder of Global Dignity with HRH Crown Prince Haakon of Norway and Professor Pekka Himanen of Finland. Global Dignity is affiliated with the Forum of Young Global Leaders and the World Economic Forum.