July 17, 2012

Dear JLJC Friends, Supporters and the Charlotte Community:

For nearly 14 years, Jacob’s Ladder Job Center (JLJC) has served Charlotte citizens in the spirit of excellence by helping unemployed and underemployed individuals get back to work. We have literally turned thousands of lives around, providing hope and opportunity for a sustainable future. People like you and supportive multi-faceted partnerships within the community are a testament to the success that JLJC has achieved throughout the years.

Unfortunately, due to a series of unexpected circumstances, Jacob’s Ladder Job Center is suddenly facing the most critical time in our history. We need your help! After going through a period of leadership transitions last year from a long-term executive director to an interim and finally to a permanent one, we missed out on some key fundraising and grant opportunities. Coupled with the economic downturn, we are afraid the very future of our organization is at stake and we are in dire financial need.

On behalf of JLJC, we are asking for your immediate financial support so JLJC can continue to move forward in our mission and enrichment of our community. Let us be very clear – we must raise $200,000 by August 17 to fund the organization through 2012, giving us time to get back on track financially, thus enabling us to keep our doors open, continue services and avoid layoffs. In addition to operating at a bare-bones capacity, we’re implementing an aggressive diversified fund-raising strategy to get us back where we need to be.

Some nonprofits may feel it’s important to paint a picture of strength during such a vulnerable and tough situation like ours, but we believe it is important to reach out to our supporters like you in the spirit of trust by alerting you and allowing you the opportunity to help us back to stability rather than quietly shutting-down operations. The good news is that provided we can obtain this emergency funding, we already have several grant proposals and other existing and prospective benefactors in play that we believe will solve our funding shortages and restore us to the level of financial solvency we have achieved in the past.

What can you do to support JLJC?

• Make a monetary donation
• Request a matching gift from your employer
• Become a voice…share this story with coworkers and employers, friends, family, and neighbors
• Encourage your family, community and church foundation to support this work

In order to reach our immediate fundraising goal, any donation will be greatly appreciated and can be made online from our home page at http://jacobsladdercharlotte.org - by clicking the yellow and blue donate button on the right column. You may also make a check payable to “Jacob’s Ladder Job Center” and mail it or hand deliver it to Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, 2304 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205. Additionally, credit card gifts may be made by phone at 704-332-5822.

See how Jacob’s Ladder impacts lives: Read Tim Bell’s Story

Since becoming executive director at the end of March, I have been working diligently to continue building on the foundation established by previous executive directors and have been fortunate to inherit an amazing team of trained, professional and caring staff and volunteers who are passionate about arming our clients with competitive job readiness skills. Once over this financial hurdle, there is room to expand and collaborate. Our vision of the next level for JLJC is to create and lead solid collaborative partnership efforts through a “Continuum of Care Consortium.” Because many of our clients come to us with multiple barriers that keep them from achieving self-sufficiency, there is a need to collaborate with community agencies to help negate those barriers by taking a holistic approach.

If you have any questions or to discuss our current situation, please call me (Holly) at 704-332-5822 ext. 221 or email at Holly@JacobsLadderCharlotte.org. We appreciate your support in helping JLJC remain vibrant and continuing its mission of helping people climb the economic ladder of success and building a stronger community one person at a time!
Sincerely,

Holly Cummings, M.M.C.        JLJC Executive Director

Sincerely,

Jeff Jones                                  JLJC Board Chairman

Richard Moody takes to the air After JLJC, Inc Winner's Circle Auction

Richard Moody takes to the air After JLJC, Inc Winner's Circle Auction

Annual Fund Campaign

Pledge Form

It is a privilege to introduce myself to you as the new Executive Director of Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC). Having always had a passion to work and support causes that have an impact on the well-being of individuals, community, the state and the nation, I would like to express how excited I am about my new role and the opportunity to make a difference in our local community.

Spending more than 13 years in service through non-profits, my career has afforded me opportunities to gain a wealth of knowledge and experience in nonprofit management and development and to carry out meaningful heart-felt missions.

I am humbled to have the honor to lead this organization and build on the tremendous foundation laid by previous Executive Directors. I am impressed by our Board of Directors, which appear to be staunch ambassadors who go the extra mile for JLJC. I am equally in awe of our dedicated volunteers who unselfishly give of their time and talents. I am also fortunate to inherit a trained, professional and caring staff, who are passionate about arming those who have been chronically unemployed and underemployed with competitive job readiness skills. All of this makes me happy to pick up the torch of building a stronger community one person at a time!

For nearly 14 years, Jacob’s Ladder has served Charlotte citizens in the spirit of excellence. People like you and supportive multi-faceted partnerships within the community are a testament to the success that JLJC has achieved throughout the years. JLJC is well positioned to continue its mission. I ask for your vote of confidence as we continue to move forward in empowering people to a place of self-sufficiency and stability.

Sincerely,

Holly Cummings, M.C.C.

Executive Director

Download The Pledge Form Here

100% of contributions are tax deductible and 

remain right here in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3

EIN: 56-2058721

Nobody Does It Better!

Since 1998, Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) has taken a unique approach toward breaking the cycle of chronic unemployment through job readiness training. Our program teaches skills that aid in improving our clients’ chances at acquiring and sustaining employment. At JLJC, we continue to successfully empower job seekers with the knowledge, tools, coaching, and connections needed to boost their chances at self-sustainability, while in-turn relying less on government assistance programs.

 OUR 2010-2011 IMPACT 

1,188 Clients served,

infusing an estimated $10,693,425 

over a two-year period into the local economy.

Where Job Readiness Training =

• Empowerment

• Self-Sustainability

• A Better Community

Headquarters: 2304 The Plaza, Charlotte NC 28205

Mailing: P. O. Box 9215 Charlotte NC 28299

704.332.5822

www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org

Connect with us…     

The month-long drive will run April 1-30, 2012 to support the two JLJC’s ‘A Perfect Fit’ boutiques. Donated items may be dropped off Mondays through Fridays between 9:30AM-4:00PM at either location: JLJC-Plaza (2304 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C. 28205) and JLJC-West (located at the Center for Employment Services at 2201 Caronia Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28208). For questions, contact JLJC at 704-332-5822.

The following new and gently used men’s and women’s professional clothing items (all sizes, but especially ‘plus-size’) and accessories are needed:

• Clothing: business suits, slacks, skirts, jackets, blouses, khakis
• Accessories: shoes, belts, jewelry, purses, briefcases

“One of the ways we help prepare our clients for the workforce is to provide professional attire through our ‘A Perfect Fit’ boutiques so they can make a good first impression and succeed in their job search and first days of employment,” says Denise Moses, volunteer coordinator and program assistant at JLJC. “We urge the community to do some spring cleaning and donate any professional clothing they no longer need to JLJC. While we always need clothing in all sizes, we want to build up our inventory of ‘plus-size’ attire to meet the needs of some of our clients.”

About Jacob’s Ladder Job Center

Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, which helps unemployed and underemployed people find and keep living wage jobs. It is the only non-profit organization that provides a daily, month-long job readiness program in the Charlotte community. A member of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, Jacob’s Ladder was founded in 1998 as a compassionate response to the Welfare-to-Work movement and to chronic unemployment in Charlotte’s low wealth communities. For more information, visit www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org or call 704-332-5822.

Follow Jacob’s Ladder on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jacobsladdercharlotte, Twitter @JacobsLadderCLT and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/jacobsladderjobs.

# # #

Contact:

Cay’me Jones – Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. – 704-714-4051, ext. 1001

Please join me in welcoming Holly Cummings as Executive Director of Jacob’s Ladder Job Center (JLJC). Holly brings more than 13 years of experience in general and program management, fund development, as well as marketing and public relations to her new role.

Holly Cummings

Before joining JLJC, Holly served as a consultant and freelance for non-profit and public radio and worked in leadership roles for a variety of non-profits including the American Heart Association (Columbia, SC); The Healing Species and the Midlands Education & Business Alliance. She also served as a weekend radio announcer for WIIZ 97.9 FM in Barnwell, SC.

Holly earned a Master’s in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina and bachelor of arts degree from South Carolina state university

We invite you to join us for an open house on Thursday, March 22ndbetween 4:00 and 5:30 at JLJC’s Plaza location (2304 The Plaza) to meet Holly. In the meantime, if you need to reach Holly her e-mail address is holly@jacobsladdercharlotte.org.

On behalf of the entire board and staff at JLJC, I’d like to extend a huge thank-you to Johnny Day who has been serving as interim executive director. Under his leadership, our amazing team of staff and volunteers continued to support the programs and services of JLJC and worked to further the mission of the organization. As a result, a total of 344 people graduated from our program with 271 of those getting hired in 2011.

We appreciate your continued support and involvement in JLJC.

Sincerely,
Jeffrey D. Jones
Chairperson, JLJC Board of Directors 2011-2012

Margo Scurry, Technology Trainer at JLJC emphatically challenges her students to make every opportunity a networking opportunity.

For instance:

It’s Sunday and you’re in church.  It’s been a long, hard week of job searching and you’re right where you need to be to recharge.  The service is uplifting but then you overhear someone in the pew behind you mentioning they just got hired and the company is still looking to hire about 50 more folks in your field no less.

What do you do?

Even if you have a copy of your resume with you, you don’t want to make a big deal out of your job search during church but you also don’t want to lose this opportunity.   So, voilà, you whip out your resume business card at the end of service asking the fella if you can offer your card to him to be passed on to the hiring manager. You then proceed to develop a relationship with your new contact and exchange information for later follow-up.

What’s a resume business card?

A resume business card is a mini-resume printed on standard business cardstock.

Although not the foundation of your job search, a resume business card provides you with a simple way to capitalize on any impromptu opportunities that come your way to build new business relationships.  Small and easy to carry and store, resume business cards allow you to provide critical information to new acquaintances without overburdening them or seeming too aggressive or desperate.

And because resume business cards aren’t mainstream yet (lots of folks just aren’t using them) – they give you an edge in helping you to stand apart from the crowd.  Most people will hold onto a card a lot longer than a piece of paper. Even using them at job fairs – resume business cards are handled and stored differently from full size resumes, possibly giving you a competitive advantage.  At a minimum, the person has a face to put with a name, and with any luck, you’ll stick in their mind when they have an opening.

How do I get a resume business card?

There are many ways to develop your own resume business card.  You can use one of the many online companies that create business cards. Or if you are interested in saving some cash you can easily design one yourself . Use a simple Avery template and Microsoft Word or using Publisher,  Corel or Adobe – they all have user-friendly design wizards.  Avery also has an online design and print feature.  Check it out here.

Here are some of Margo’s guidelines to follow when designing your resume business card:

1)      Keep your design clean, simple and professional, utilizing color and design elements minimally.

2)      Include key contact information: your name, phone number, email and Web or LinkedIn address (if you have one).

3)      Develop and include a short tagline (your unique selling proposition) and career objective to quickly brand yourself while at the same time letting your reader know what type of position you are seeking.

4)      Add any certifications or significant software proficiencies

5)      Optionally, you can use the back of the card to deliver selected career highlights and/or your most marketable qualifications.

6)   Make sure the card is balanced with plenty of white space (don’t overfill the card with too much information).

It’s a brilliant idea because it’s not always appropriate or even comfortable to hand someone your resume—you’re not about to whip it out when you bump into an old neighbor in the grocery store or while riding the bus—but it’s never really awkward to offer your card. These particular ones leave a lasting impression since they feature much more detail than just your name and number.

Harvest Center  Partnership Success

The inaugural program of the Harvest Center/Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) partnership concluded Wednesday, Feb. 8 with a brief ceremony at the Harvest Center.

Graduation Harvest Center, Month 1

The primary focus of the Harvest Center is as a feeding ministry for our homeless neighbors. Executive Director Stephen Smith regularly talked with guests interested in improving their situation, but who had little hope or knowledge of where to go for help. An introduction to JLJC resulted in an agreement to provide a pre-job readiness opportunity. Program Coordinator, Derrick Miller, facilitated four one-hour classes that touched on Communication, Ethics, Time Management and Proper Dress and Etiquette, with the ultimate goal of determining the seriousness and commitment level of the participants.

Elliotte Dunlap, Ron Hill, Ronald Hood, Howard Jones, William Stadman and DeLano Wilson, were recognized at the ceremony and are prepared to join our four-week job readiness program beginning Feb. 27. Each was presented with a portfolio and certificate of attendance.

For more information:  Harvest Center, 704-333-4280, www.theharvestcenter.org and Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. 704-332-5822, www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org

We Asked. You Delivered. – USB Appeal Update

Last fall,  we sent out a plea for assistance obtaining USB flash drives, which are an essential tool for our clients to create and store their resumes and cover letters while they job search.

To date, we have received just over 500 flash drives out of the 600 needed for 2012. “We hope to reach our goal by the end of the first quarter,” said Cay’me Jones, our Development Coordinator.

We would like thank everyone who donated USB flash drives and a special thank you to Lakewood Baptist Church who donated over 200.

JLJC Named a ‘GreatNonprofit’ 

In January we were given an opportunity, but needed help from the community to publicly review us on www.GreatNonprofits.com. You came out in force and because of you we are one of only four non-profits across the country that received the title as “Top-rated Non=proft” Well done and thank you! We were notified by GreatNonprofits in an email:

“Your organization is a Top-Rated Nonprofit! During the past four weeks, over 100,000 people visited the GreatNonprofits site to read and write reviews about the many nonprofits providing job training and placement around the world.You are one of the Top-Rated Nonprofits and can find your reviews here: http://www.greatnonprofits.org/reviews/jacobs-ladder-job-center-inc”

Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. (JLJC) started in 1998 as a response to the Welfare to Work movement and chronic unemployment in inner city neighborhoods. While now serving the entire county and beyond, we continue to provide a job readiness program which prepares adults for their job search. Working with 500+ participants annually, 2011 closed with a success rate of nearly 80% of our graduates obtaining employment.

(Left to Right): Jacob’s Ladder volunteer and Lake Norman area resident John Burke presents a $500 check from PPG Industries to Susan Pierson and Johnny Day of Jacob’s Ladder Job Center. As a retiree of PPG Industries, Burke secured the donation as part of the company’s ‘give-back’ program for retired employees involved in volunteer endeavors.

The donation was made on behalf of long-time Jacob’s Ladder volunteer, John Burke who retired from PPG Industries. He secured this donation as part of the company’s ‘give-back’ program for their retirees who volunteer at community organizations.

“John [Burke] is a tremendous volunteer and we appreciate him going above and beyond to support our programs and services by requesting this generous donation from PPG Industries,” said Susan Pierson, project manager at Jacob’s Ladder West. “Passionate volunteers like John and generous companies such as PPG Industries are integral to what we do in helping put people back to work.”

About Jacob’s Ladder

Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit, which helps unemployed and underemployed people find and keep living wage jobs. A member of the N.C. Center for Nonprofits, Jacob’s Ladder was founded in 1998 as a compassionate response to the Welfare-to-Work movement and to chronic unemployment in Charlotte’s low wealth communities. For more information, visit www.jacobsladdercharlotte.org or call 704-332-5822.

Follow Jacob’s Ladder on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jacobsladdercharlotte, Twitter @JacobsLadderCLT and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/jacobsladderjobs.

# # #

Contact:

Cay’me Jones – Jacob’s Ladder Job Center, Inc. – 704-714-4051, ext. 1001