New Ford Foundation Grant Awarded for Workforce Development

 

Last year the Ford Foundation asked the Hispanic Federation to take on the goal of providing a deeper understanding of the barriers facing Latinos in gaining access to the city’s workforce development system.  The result was a noteworthy research report, titled Futures in the Balance: Meeting the Workforce Development Needs of Latinos in New York City.  Impressed with the impact of the findings and recommendations, in November 2010 Ford Foundation awarded the Hispanic Federation a two year, $250,000 grant to launch Phase II of the initiative. 

 

The original report suggested the city’s workforce development system is not structured to address the needs of low-income Latinos who are seeking to enter the job market. The aim of Phase II activities is to catalyze systemic changes in the current city and state workforce development system to benefit low income Latinos. 

 

The Federation plans to do so through a convening a Workforce Development Task Force which will propose solutions and advocate for a more responsive and inclusive workforce development system.

 

Additional elements include creating a Latino Workforce Development component within HF’s current Hispanic Leadership Institute program.  Additionally, Workforce Development Policy Briefs will explore issues affecting Latino participation in the current system.

The Hispanic Federation appreciates the strong support provided by The Ford Foundation, and looks forward to working closely in partnership to increase the number of low-income Latinos who derive benefit from the system.