Rafael Cepeda, Director of the Neighborhood Jobs Initiative, brings forty years of community-focused social work to his vision of a new world of work for the people of Columbia Heights. What's New at NJI Columbia Heights a Magnet Destination: NJI Builds Up for Opportunities in Customer Service     Message from NJI Director Rafael Cepeda "Our Best Practices policy is key to NJI's sustainable results"     Neighborhood Jobs Initiative 2005: Accomplishments and Highlights       The Success Story of Carmen Hernandez
			NJI has instilled community residents with a sense of optimism about the future and a sense of pride and dignity.  The economic stability of any community can only be achieved through stable employment and employment opportunities.
			During the past 6 years of operations, we have placed 1,200 individuals in good to excellent paying jobs. Neighborhood Jobs Initiative (NJI) relies on Best Practice strategies to guarantee our training, placement and retention successes. Respect for the Individual and the cultivation of Relationship between a community's culture, the NJI program, the participants and employers are central for us. Ensuring each individual's readiness for employment and a critical focus on pairing the right person with the right job are key in our high rate of job retention. It is important to understand that our success should not be seen primarily in terms of impressive numbers but as real impact on the lives of real individuals and families who live in our community. The objective of community based organizations is always to improve the total socioeconomic circumstances of its constituents. The NJI program has accomplished that in ways that matter on many levels, connecting community residents with employment providing medical insurance, tuition reimbursement, meaningful career mobility and retirement plans.   2005 Neighborhood Jobs Initiative Highlights and Accomplishments   This year NJI placed 110 Columbia Heights  residents in solid paying jobs with an average salary of approximately $12.50 an hour. Thirty two participants graduated from the Jobs Club and completed training in resume/coverletter preparation, basic computer skills orientation, and most importantly, interviewing strategies and techniques. In establishing close relationships with 23 new corporate partners this year, NJI has significantly broadened the base of possible employers. During the last 12 months alone, NJI staff has provided employment related services to over 700 individuals from both the English and Spanish speaking communities. In total, 120 out of the 150 positions available during NJI’s Job Fair for Giant Food were ultimately filled by community residents. The Greater Washington Urban League supported this NJI event, and the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative also played a critical role in the Giant recruitment initiative by providing 15 laptop computers for the job fair that allowed job seekers to prepare their applications on-line.   Six Years of NJI Working with Residents of Columbia Heights   Employment Barriers Whole-Life Referrals Social Barriers   Childcare Services Economic Barriers   Transportation Services Physical Barriers   Counseling Services WorkForce Development   Education UnderEmployment   GED Job Sustainability   ESL Employer Networking   Marketable Skills Training		Respect for the Individual Relationship A Whole-Life Transition Strategy   During the 6 years of NJI operations, we've placed over 1,200 people from Columbia Heights in good to excellent paying jobs   NJI 2005 Highlights & Accomplishments   Originating Funders of the NJI Program The Rockefeller Foundation Chase Manhattan Bank The Eugene and Agnes Meyer Foundation US Department of Housing and Urban Development Verizon Bank of America The Enterprise Foundation The Cafritz Foundation DC Department of Housing & Community Development The Local Initiative Support Corporation
			We at NJI wish to extend our appreciation to all of the organizations, corporate partners, and individuals who have contributed to the success of our program throughout the past six years.
			Sincerely,
			Rafael Cepeda Director, Neighborhood Jobs Initiative

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