Part of the "TEAM V.I.B.E." initiative
Execute an equity-first workforce mobilization initiative designed to train and upskill underutilized local talent demographics through three specialized community tracks: (1) Parent Forward Program: providing Medical Billing and Coding certifications via VSU PACE for homeless parents of at-risk students; (2) At-risk High School Senior Internship: an 8-week part-time (28 hrs/week) job placement and mentorship network providing a $2,400 stipend; and (3) Re-entry Training Program: delivering residential/commercial construction and certified welding credentials to justice-involved individuals via Wiregrass Georgia Technical College's mobile construction trailer lab.
Total number of full-time, living-wage career job placements secured by program graduates with regional employers like SGMC.
Total combined number of housing-insecure parents and at-risk high school seniors enrolled and trained in the pilot certification cohorts.
Total headcount of justice-involved individuals from Lowndes County Jail transitioning into certified welding and trade tracks.
Total number of at-risk high school senior interns successfully matched with active mentors from the Boys and Girls Club network.
$79,600 Total Initial Pilot Capital Outlay (plus grant-subsidized tracks). • Parent Forward Pilot (Assumes 10 parents): $42,000 total (covers PACE tuition sponsorships at $2,000–$4,000 per student, materials, workshops, and a VSU Student Worker assistant at $11/hr for ~160 hours/semester). • At-risk Senior Internship Pilot (Assumes 10 seniors): $37,600 total (includes $24,000 for $2,400 individual 8-week stipends, $12,000 max for 10-week mentor compensation/expenses, and $1,600 for 160 ValdostaOnDemand public transit rides per student). • Re-entry Training Pilot (Assumes 25 participants): $0 direct municipal budget impact (fully covered via the $1 Million Lowndes Foundation grant awarded to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, WIOA funds, HOPE Career Grants, and Second Chance Pell Grants).