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South Side Thrive Collaborative enriching Columbus’ South Side with job training

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South Side Thrive Collaborative enriching Columbus’ South Side with job training

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Without the support of family or friends, a 37-year-old South Side resident had no clue how she’d start a life for herself after being released from prison.

And like many South Side residents struggling below the poverty line, Michelle Cook was making an effort to get by with reentry programs until she found one workforce training program that offered her just what she needed to get back on her feet.

“If it wasn’t for the program, I probably wouldn’t be where I’m at today,” Cook said.

Forming in late 2016, South Side Thrive Collaborative is a local organization that offers workforce development training specifically for South Side residents.

“We bring local leaders and organizations together to remove these interrelated barriers that keep our neighbors in the South Side stuck in low-wage jobs,” said Sarah Lenkay, CEO of the organization.

Just a few miles from Downtown, the South Side of Columbus is home to about 30,000 residents, 61% of whom live below 200% of the federal poverty line, according to the organization’s research.

Lenkay said most residents have either a high school diploma or GED equivalent and the dedication to work more stable jobs. The problem is a lack of access.

Families on the South Side often make tough decisions to choose whether to put food on the table or afford health care costs for medicine, as the median household income rests at $32,259.

Connecting residents to better job opportunities

In October, South Side Thrive Collaborative launched a Build Your Skills initiative to create a more direct connection to job opportunities and workforce training programs for South Side residents.

The South Side is home to several large industries, including manufacturing and health care, with a large demand for staff. Lenkay said there are 30,000 local jobs that require a relatively low educational attainment rate.

The hyper-localized job-support organization works with 40 organizations, like Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Boost program that teaches everything from resume building, how to dress for interviews and economic literacy.

Launching about four years ago, Boost is a free, monthly, two-week program for both Linden and South Side residents who are 18 and older with little to no work experience. Ambrielle Coleman, lead facilitator of the program, said this kind of support aims to build residents’ confidence.

“We hit all targets of the job experience, but our main goal is really just to instill confidence and make sure we are finding careers at a livable wage,” Coleman said.

Last year, almost 100 residents graduated from Boost and about 66 found employment either at Nationwide, OhioHealth or another outside organization. Participants also receive a $300 stipend for attending.

The next cohort will be Jan. 6 at Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Ave., and Jan. 20 at Residences at Career Gateway training center, 755 E. Whittier St.

South Side residents can find five workforce training programs at southsidethrive.org/opportunity, along with information available for in-demand jobs.

ABayo@dispatch.com

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