PYBFF Teaming Up with Community Partners for Employment Workshops This Spring

With unemployment numbers rocketing past eight percent nationally, and even higher
in areas including DC which hit 9.3% in January 2009, it’s becoming harder for certain members of the community who want to enter the workforce to do so. Policy-makers in DC and other jurisdictions are working diligently toward offering job training for adults, but it takes a community working together to help an individual put their best foot forward.

"PYBFF started as a small community project and has continued to grow through the support of our partners,” says Founder Josh Kriger, who is a consultant by day. “In just three years, we’ve helped more than 100 homeless, low-income or underemployed people find success and make their lives better for themselves and their families. This has been an incredibly meaningful, often life changing, experience for those volunteering and workshop attendees.”

In 2009, the initiative plans to hold two one-day workshops – one in Alexandria on May 16th at the Walter Durant Community Center and the other on June 6th in the District at the Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Clothing drives and benefit events are underway to defray workshop costs and support the job programs of PYBFF community partners. Community partners identify the workshop participants, and channel their combined resources and ingenuity to make each PYBFF workshop a one-of-a-kind experience.

Community partners already on board for the 2009 initiative, include:
- The Carpenter’s Shelter (founding partner)
- Alexandria Sheriff’s Office
- Alexandria-Arlington Coalition for the
Homeless
- Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network
- Friends of the Guest House
- New Hope Housing
- DC Central Kitchen
- Our Place DC
- Washington Literacy Council.

Organizations interested in becoming a PYBFF community partner or corporate sponsor can find out how to participate online at www.pybff.org or email info@pybff.org for more information.