Dupont Center offers employment services
By Rochelle Moore
Published in News on November 8, 2017 5:50 AM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Several of the Jobs Plus community coaches cut the ribbon for the newly renovated Dupont Community Center Tuesday morning.
Washea Lancaster was so busy raising four children in her younger years that she didn't think much about her own needs.
By the age of 40, it was a little difficult to visualize a return to college to pursue a career.
"I thought that was something I couldn't do," she said.
Lancaster shared her story of finally enrolling at Wayne Community College in pursuit of a human services degree during a grand opening celebration at the Dupont Center Tuesday.
The Dupont Center, at 138 Dupont Circle, houses the Jobs Plus program, which focuses on employment services, job placement, financial incentives, and building community support for work. The program serves residents living in the West Haven public housing community.
"This program, I can't say enough about it," Lancaster said. "It gave me the confidence that I need (and) the accountability because you make goals."
The Jobs Plus program started in 2016, following a $2.7 million U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant provided to the Goldsboro Housing Authority. The program offers help to West Haven residents seeking a stable income, career and education.
The program includes the development of job-driven approaches to increase earnings and advance employment outcomes through work readiness, employer linkages, job placement, educational advancement, technology skills and financial literacy. Nearly 20 organizations are partners in the effort.
Close to 100 people, including state and local leaders and partnering agencies, attended the grand opening event.
"The Dupont Center you see behind me has been a work in progress for some time," said Michele Wiggins, GHA director of grant management. "It will operate as the Jobs Plus center. Jobs Plus is a supportive services program."
The program has six staff members and eight community coaches. Since its start, 132 West Haven residents have enrolled in the program. An estimated 38 percent of enrollees are employed, including 16 who have full-time jobs, 21 are enrolled in GED classes and 17 are enrolled in college, Wiggins said.
The grand opening of the new center allowed visitors the chance to tour the recently renovated facility, which has office space, several multipurpose rooms, a computer lab, kitchen and conference room.
The $425,000 renovation project was paid for through GHA capital and operating funds, which originated from HUD.
The event included brief remarks from Anthony Goodson, GHA chief executive officer, Goldsboro Councilman Antonio Williams and Rep. John Bell, R-Goldsboro.
"This is a perfect example of when people partner together," Bell said. "Together as a community we can achieve whatever we want to achieve."