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R.E.S.T.O.R.E, Inc., is the most recent non-profit organization designed to bring residents, specifically men, together to address their own needs and the needs of the community. One component of R.E.S.T.O.R.E., Inc. is the Eastside Men's Breakfast Club which brings together 35-50 homeless and/or unemployed men each week. The men are given the opportunity to share their frustrations and deal with issues of homelessness, unemployment, family problems, substance abuse and other issues pertinent to life in the inner-city. In addition, participants are provided with information concerning job availability and job training opportunities, addiction rehabilitation and prevention, health and nutrition. The board of this organization consists of Eastside community members, Enterprise Community pastors and Charleston business owners. Another component is TC's C.O.A.T. (The Coalition of Older Americans Task Force) designed to Project "Restore" The Josiah Smith Tennent House (ca 1859) The second floor will be the heart of the information dissemination and training services. This floor will house a Video Conferencing Center, Clearinghouse, and 15-20 wireless computer laboratory (construction funded by the Joanna Foundation). Employability, Social, and Occupational skills training for non-custodial fathers and single head of house hold primary care givers, will focus on job readiness skills, computer literacy skills and specific computer programming, i.e., Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Microsoft Office, etc. The construction of this floor has been funded through the kind generosity of Mr. Marshall Collins & Bilo Stores. The technology and staffing for this floor, will be funded through various foundations. The employability curriculum will be developed and taught by professorial personnel from Trident Technical College & College of Charleston and local businesses and will include work ethics and skills essential to success in the job market. Projected completion date May 31, 2003. In recent years, a concerned local government, small businesses, and diverse civic groups have launched ambitious programs of community development designed to halt, and even reverse, decades of urban decline. But while massive amounts of effort and money are being dedicated to improving Charleston's inner-city. However, gentrification and two important questions have gone unanswered: Can community development actually help solve long-standing urban problems? And, based on social science analyses, what kinds of initiatives can make a difference? With proven assuredly, we can answer the second question. With a scattered-site approach in the past three years, we have successfully operated two (2) programs: Project "Restore" (non-custodial, incarcerated fathers an 87% placement rate/76% retention) and Innovative Alternative for Women (single head of house hold primary care giver a 90% placement rate/87% retention). With this building, we will do greater numbers, without a decrease in our placement/retention rates. Project "Restore" Goal I. To increase self-sufficiency in 300 non-custodial fathers in the EC within five (5) years, through job training, the attainment of jobs at salaries appreciably above minimum wage and the skills, both occupational and interpersonal, to retain employment. The development of a construction company owned and operated by "Restore" fathers. Within five (5) years, this company will become the largest minority driven construction company in South Carolina. Goal I will be measured during each of the two (2) annual training periods by attendance, drop out and retention rates, and number of participants who complete their OJT classroom/field challenges. Job attainment and retention will be measured by paycheck information such as hourly wage, number of hours worked per week and longevity of employment. Goal II. To increase the number of non-custodial fathers who have built a healthy positive relationship with their children by 30% within the next five (5) years. Project "Restore" for Women The newest outreach component of Project "Restore" for Women. In 1996, Dr. Wilson, The Medical University of South Carolina and other members of the Enterprise Community were concerned about the future of single head of household women in the community as welfare reform evolved. While many of these women had engaged in job training activities offered by various agencies in the city, and a few were able to move into the workforce, most had dropped out of training for a variety of reasons. Dr. Wilson served on the Board of the Trident Private Industry Council which had the authority to distribute Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA) funds. Passage of welfare reform through the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 added urgency to his commitment to establish programs to aid the many AFDC mothers in the community. He had worked with faculty in the College of Nursing at the Medical University of South Carolina on other community projects and asked for help in designing a welfare-to-work program. Innovative Alternatives for Women is the result of many months of planning between Dr. Wilson, faculty members, community members, city, state and county agencies and local businesses The program was planned using a multi-systemic model in which the underlying premise is that multiple factors influence a woman's ability to succeed in the job force. While occupational skills are essential, other variables, such as having adequate transportation, arranging appropriate child care services, and having the social skills to be comfortable in the work setting, encourage success, as well. In addition, having knowledge of preventive health care and nutrition, basic financial management skills, and an understanding of the legal system can prevent untoward occurrences that affect job performance. We need your assistance, if we are to complete our efforts if these aforementioned
groups of citizens are to augment the efforts of a few to revitalize our
neighborhood and achieve self-sufficiency. Once we are successful, children,
youth and families will again prosper. |
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R.E.S.T.O.R.E.,
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Fact
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