White Center Now: The blog about White Center » Jobs

Save the date: ‘Green jobs’ forum coming up November 12th at Greenbridge

Tracy — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:21:13 +0000

Coming up next month – save the date to find out more about green jobs! Shared by Ian from White Center Community Development Association:

COMMUNITY GREEN JOBS FORUM

Friday, November 12, 12:00pm-2:00pm

YWCA Learning Center – 9720 8th Avenue SW in White Center

Pre-register for this event by calling (206) 290-5136 or e-mail info@gotgreen.org

Light refreshments and language interpretation available

Be a part of Project GreenLight! Project Greenlight is recruiting men and women of color and low-income workers for FREE job training in:

* Deconstruction – Hazardous materials and demolition jobs that reuse/recycle building materials

* Green Building – Entry-level weatherization installation positions

* Green Manufacturing – Manufacturing/assembly of environmentally sustainable products

This event is sponsored by
Got Green: www.gotgreen.org
Workforce Development Council

Follow Up on Editorial: Should We Take Susan Hutchison Seriously

Ricardo — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:14:57 +0000

For those who missed it, KUOW today broadcast an interview with, King County Executive, Susan Hutchison. You can find the interview at KUOW Weekday. In a prior post I had made the following observation which sparked a fair amount of discussion:

Ms. Hutchison has never held public office. She has never had to struggle with the political realities of governing a complex political entity whose ambits include not only roads and sewers but social services, neighborhoods and law enforcement. It is difficult to see how her experience on the board of the Seattle Symphony prepared her, in the slightest way, for such a weighty role.

If anyone had any doubt about Ms. Hutchison’s lack of specificity on issues, policies or even advisors, it is worth a listen (available on podcast). Pressed by the moderator to name a single advisor who she consults, or who she would bring to her administration, she flatly resisted naming anyone, except to say bus drivers. Her conclusion was “trust me” they will be great people. I have nothing against bus drivers, but maybe she could have named a couple of the guys that she intends to bring to the Hutchison administration that will “bring people together.” I’m sorry but calling Hutchison a “lightweight” does not begin to describe the chasm that is her lack of qualification to hold such an important post. Listen for yourself.

Weekly Job Search support group – meets Tuesdays and Wednesdays (West Seattle and Greenwood)

Ricardo — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:48:56 +0000

Notes From the Job Search is a group of individuals who gather weekly to discuss job search topics and compare notes with other local job seekers. Did you know that only a VERY small percentage of jobs available, are actually advertised? Helping you tap into the “hidden” job market is just one of the things we do. Weekly topics include resume reviews, mastering the elevator pitch, using online networking resources such as Linkedin, and more! The meetings usually run around 90 minutes, and everyone is encouraged to actively participate! No need to dress up – come as you are. We have nothing to sell! Our services are FREE! This is NOT a job fair. While you will probably NOT find a job at one of the meetings, we GUARANTEE that you WILL walk away from each meeting with a few new job search skills, a better resume, encouragement from your fellow group members, perhaps a few new network connections, and sometimes even a job lead! We continue to “lose” members as they find new positions, and we are always happy to see them leave. Please consider attending one of our meetings and see how we can be of assistance to you in your job search.

Currently we meet: Tuesdays at C and P Coffee in West Seattle at 11 AM Wednesdays at Green Bean Coffee in Greenwood at 3PM

To learn more, or get directions, see our web site at: http://notesfromthejobsearchseattle.blogspot.com/

Microfinance as a way to develop White Center

Ricardo — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 16:17:26 +0000

Most people are aware that the greatest impediment to the start and development of the business is lack of capital. Tradtionally, banks only lend money to people who already have money. This makes it extremely difficult for would-be entrepreneurs to start a business — even one that is desperately needed. One solution to this quandry is the pooling of resources by a community to assist its members with the initial loan that gives them entry. The Asian and Latino communities already have models of this practice, the latter known as Tanda. Variants of this practice are known broadly as microfinance.

Microfinance refers to the provision of financial services to poor or low-income clients, including consumers and the self-employed.^[1] The term also refers to the practice of sustainably delivering those services. Microcredit (or loans to poor microenterprises) should not be confused with microfinance, which addresses a full range of banking needs for poor people.^[2]

More broadly, it refers to a movement that envisions “a world in which as many poor and near-poor households as possible have permanent access to an appropriate range of high quality financial services, including not just credit but also savings, insurance, and fund transfers.”^[3] Those who promote microfinance generally believe that such access will help poor people out of poverty.

I would be curious to know if readers have any thoughts on this subject and how it might used as a tool to spur economic development and vitality in White Center and other areas.

Microsoft Plans Layoff of 5,000 employees – impact on White Center uncertain

Ricardo — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:34:49 +0000

No doubt you could have gotten this piece of news from the front cover of the New York Times or the Seattle Times. Apparently 1,400 of the initial cuts will come from the Seattle area. Here at Cafe Rozella we have quite a number of MS employees who use the cafe as their third office. The layoffs will significantly impact White Center and West Seattle. I have some calls out to some economists to give us a gauge of just how hard this will impact us. But make no mistake about it, this will have an adverse impact on Puget Sound are and White Center.

Make no mistake about it, this is bad news for Microsoft and the Seattle area. Since Microsoft got a license to print money in the mid-80s, it has never contracted. As if you needed another indication that this is not going down well, MS stock went down after the announcement. The money people view this as a portent of further ills to come. And even Ballmer, who never fails to spin a positive tale out of anything, was pretty circumspect in his outlook. Bottom line is that we are seeing a period of negative growth for Microsoft.

Rossi vs. Gregoire: Who is Better for White Center?

Ricardo — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:55:04 +0000

Ok, this is a heavily Democratic neighborhood but there seem to be some Rossi supporters in White Center land? I am inviting comments on who would be better for White Center, Dino Rossi or Christine Gregoire? Obviously, we have issues of housing, jobs, health care, affordability, crime, education, sustainability, greenspace etc… And I will gladly share my views. Forum’s open. Speak your mind.

Looking for work? White Center Early Learning Initiative could be looking for you …

Tracy — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 07:10:06 +0000

Just got this job listing – and White Center Early Learning Initiative executive director Stephan Blanford is casting the net far and wide:

This is one (WCELI Program Director) that we’ve posted before and just haven’t yet found the right candidate. The person who takes the position will have a leadership responsibility for integrating many WCELI services into a seamless whole for the benefit of White Center residents. Requires a self starter, a systems thinker, someone that can build relationships in challenging situations – early learning experience would be a plus, but isn’t essential. Pays well – good benefits.

The job listing is here; you can apply online by going here.

Looking for work?

Tracy — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 06:20:33 +0000

From partner site WSB: A child-care job opening specifically targeting White Center as well as West Seattle. Check it out here.