National Urban League works to empower opportunities

For Tawanda, making ends meet with a part-time job and an annual salary of $11,000 was challenging. At 24 years old, she was a single, pregnant high school graduate with some college experience and looking for a better opportunity. She found it at the Urban League of Broward County thanks to the Project Empower University workforce development program.

Tawanda is one of more than 5,300 participants served through Project Empower University, which is sponsored in part by FedEx. Through the program, participants are paired with a life coach that supports them in achieving their short and long-term goals towards financial and economic stability. Beyond encouragement and guidance, life coaches also help connect participants with comprehensive resources such as health coverage, education financial assistance, and employment training. Early Project Empower University results have increased retention rates by up to 30% and average participant wages by up to $3.00 per hour.

Today, Tawanda is focused on building her assets and opportunities for the future. She now has a full-time job and more than doubled her salary, started a savings plan for emergencies, earned a certification, increased her credit score by more than 18 points, and working to reduce her credit card debt.

The National Urban League continues to implement workforce development best practices through employer engagement, career pathways, and effective data management in order to empower historically underserved urban communities.

FedEx is also sponsor of National Urban League’s annual conference and Youth Leadership Summit. Learn more about the National Urban League and Project Empower University program here.

 

***Photos courtesy of the National Urban League