Cincinnati Council could vote by the end of the month to fund Mayor John Cranley’s Hand Up initiative. He unveiled it during his State of the City speech in September.
Hand Up is designed to help the long-term under and unemployed find permanent, full-time jobs.
Nearly $1.4 million of city funding would go to three existing job readiness programs. Those include Cincinnati Works, Cincinnati Cooks and the Urban Leagues “SOAR” program.
Several people addressed Council Wednesday on the funding.
“Their entry into our employment specter provides them with enhanced opportunities,” said Valarie Boykins. “We’ve seen many who come in as environmental services, who then are available to go back to school to become a nurse and other sustainable employment opportunities.”
Renee Halbert was involved in a job training program through the Urban League.
“I have a totally new though process,” Halbert said. “I have a belief and confidence in myself. I now know that I have marketable skills that will be an asset to any company that I obtain employment.”
Funding for the Hand Up initiative would come from the more than $12 million the city receives from the federal government through Community Development Block Grants.