ESPRI Workforce and Economic Development Committee Minutes
Date: 07/26/17
Time: 9:30am
Location: The INN- 108 Madison Ave. Hempstead, NY
cO-CHAIRS | Pat Edwards, George Siberon
Robert Suarez, Dennis Jones |
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UWLI STAFF: | Theresa Regnante- UWLI- President/CEO
Biena Depeña- ESPRI Planning Coordinator |
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Attendees | Lawrence Bernstein- Executive Director- Lawrence Foundation
Ana-Maria Hurtado- Commissioner- Hempstead Works Nancy Burke- The INN Phil Mickulas- UWLI Pat Barrow- Community Resident Wayne Redman- Executive Director – Hempstead Boys & Girls Dawn Williams- Executive Director- The Journey of Difference, Inc. Lawrence Ding- Cambridge Business Institute Gregory Becker- Hempstead Works Tina- Shuford- Community Resident Reggy Pope- NAN Duglas T. Lee- journey of Difference- guest Sherley Brockman- Community Resident- Guest John Sanders- Community Resident Patricia Johnson- CDC LI Acquilla Bailey – Community Resident- Guest Wanda Jones- Community Resident- Guest |
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ABSENT | Dana Boylan- Assistant DA- Nassau County DA’s Office
Sunita Manjekar- Director of Employment –DSS Rosalie Drago- Director of Workforce Development Launchpad Lucas Sanchez- Director NYCC Reginald Benjamin- Executive Director- ABBA Shelley Brezley- Nassau County Office of Minority Affairs |
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Welcome | ||||
Discussion | Economic Empowerment discussion
Workforce Development discussion · The launch of the Genesis Construction Training Center was noted as a positive example to provide training in a variety of construction-related fields. · The group endorsed the concept of MWBE training for local owners. Acquilla Bailey, owner of Bailey’s Caterers, attended and said that her business has reached a plateau and she would like to benefit from such training as a means of taking her successful business “to the next level”; which would allow her to expand and hire additional employees. · Although a training function has been mentioned often and in several committees, it was agreed that the first step before setting out any such curriculum would be to identify and convene current successful businesses active in the VOH to become part of a Business Advisory Council. One purpose would be to be sure that any training offered would meet the needs of real businesses now and into the foreseeable future (next 3-5 years). And, further, that if such training/education was provided to Hempstead students that these businesses would be committed to provide apprenticeships or outright employment to HSD graduates. · The committee proposed a short-term goal of identifying and vetting membership to a Business Advisory Council and then convening that group for its initial meeting before the end of Q4. It was suggested that proposed members should be invited individually, preferably by someone who already has a business relationship with them. It was further suggested, however, that a one-page “script” be prepared to ensure that the same message is being communicated to each invitee. (Phil and Biena will draft this and circulate to all members.
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Conclusions | Both committees endorsed the overarching idea that a youth perspective needs to be captured and included in any planning; not least because they will be the most affected by such decisions and they will occupy the jobs/careers that will succeed in the future. This was a concept similarly endorsed in yesterday’s Education Committee meeting. | |||
Action items | Person responsible | Deadline | ||
Economic Empowerment:
A subcommittee will be formed to plan and implement this pilot project. It will seek to avoid the planning shortfalls of many VOH efforts; allowing adequate lead time to address publicity, format, agenda, etc. (The HPL will be asked to provide space for this effort.)
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Dawn Williams,
Acquilla Bailey |
Next meeting | ||
The importance of engaging young people in business, financial, entrepreneurial matters concluded with agreement that inclusion of such topics in the school curriculum (from elementary through high school) should be considered with HSD personnel. One national organization that has such curriculum guides is Junior Achievements. | Wayne Redman | Next meeting | ||
Dennis Jones committed the COC to assisting in the identification of suitable members to this group. It was further suggested that businesses that have PILOT’s should have a real incentive to cooperating in this manner. If necessary, the mayor should be engaged to “jawbone” any who are hesitant to so. | Dennis Jones | Next meeting | ||
The HPL will be consulted to see if it can be the venue for such a meeting – hopefully by the middle of November. | ||||
A subcommittee should be formed to plan this event – including some youth representation. | ||||
Next joint meeting: August 30, 2017 9:30am