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United Way Miami, in partnership with Social Finance, national impact finance and advisory nonprofit, recently announced the launch of the United Way Miami Workforce Project, an initiative designed to upskill Miami residents and empower them to secure in-demand jobs that lead to economic mobility.
This program is the direct result of a multi-million-dollar gift made to United Way Miami in 2020 by philanthropist and novelist, Mackenzie Scott.
“We conducted a comprehensive study that included focus groups with multiple stakeholder groups and a careful analysis of what is contributing to financial instability in our community. We came to the conclusion that a workforce development program with student-friendly financing is the best solution to help our residents develop valuable skills and earn higher-wage jobs,” said Mary Donworth, chief program officer at United Way Miami.
“We are extremely grateful to Ms. Scott for her incredibly generous donation and look forward to using it to empower the career advancement of Miami-Dade County residents. We would also like to thank McKinsey & Company for providing pro bono support for this important study,” Donworth added.
Social Finance is managing the United Way Miami Workforce Project, which has launched as a pilot program with training partner 4Geeks Academy to train Miami residents for careers in coding and programming technologies. Participants have the option to enroll in 4Geeks’ Full Stack Developer nine-week full-time program or 16-week part-time program at no upfront cost. More than 82 percent of 4Geeks students secure jobs in the field within a year of completing training. Interested participants can apply at miamiworkforce.org — limited spots are available.
The United Way Miami Workforce Project has been structured as a “Pay It Forward Fund” to create a sustainable cycle of job training — the first of its kind in the state. Participants who find jobs earning more than a certain amount, will repay the cost of their tuition via monthly payments, paying it forward into a common fund to support future learners.
They also may be entitled to receive critical supportive services such as career coaching, living stipends, and emergency aid funds to help them graduate and succeed. The pilot will serve a total of 100 students. United Way and Social Finance anticipate the project will expand to training providers in other industries in the coming months, such as transportation and healthcare.
“We are excited to partner with United Way Miami and leverage generous funding from Mackenzie Scott to amplify economic opportunity in the Miami-Dade region,” said Tracy Palandjian, CEO and co-founder of Social Finance. “Through a Pay It Forward Fund, we will simultaneously help power the local economy and upskill workers to achieve economic mobility in a sustainable way, as successful graduates ‘pay it forward’ to support future learners.”
This initiative comes at a critical time, as Miamians continue to struggle with the social and economic upheaval triggered by the pandemic. More than half of households in Miami-Dade County are struggling to make ends meet or living in poverty. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, average weekly wages in Miami-Dade County are below the national average of $1,173, despite the fact that the cost of living exceeds the national average.
Research shows that the pandemic has exacerbated already tenuous financial situations for the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population.
“We are thrilled to be chosen as the first training partner for the United Way Miami Workforce Project,” said Marcelo Ricigliano, CEO of 4Geeks. “The concept of upskilling our residents and empowering them with the tools they need to excel in their careers and improve their financial stability is one we have been committed to since we started in Miami in 2016.”
For more information about the program visit miamiworkforce.org.
