Metropolitan Career Center’s STRIVE for Green Program Receives $1.1 million for green job training from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Pathways Out of Poverty Funding

The Metropolitan Career Center will train and place over 150 individuals to compete for livable wage jobs in the emerging green economy

Philadelphia, PA- The current loss of jobs in the Philadelphia region has hit all levels of the income spectrum, but those with limited education, chronic unemployment and a variety of other barriers face huge challenges looking for work. Though the Metropolitan Career Center (MCC) has in its 35 year history helped this population develop skills and find jobs, the process is more demanding and takes much longer when jobs are in short supply and there is much more competition.

Knowing that the green economy held promise for it students, MCC and five other STRIVE affiliates across the country applied for the federal funds that would enable them to create new curricula that would train people for green and energy efficiency jobs. “This funding will enable us to have adequate staff to supply the counseling and supports that will help our students stay tenacious in their training and their job search”, said Veronica Phillips, the Director of STRIVE. STRIVE affiliates will work with potential employers to accept interns as well as permanent workers because job placement is key to the success of this initiative. All of these stimulus funds were targeted at some of the lowest income communities in America. One of the highest was North Philadelphia where the poverty rate is as high as 45%.

STRIVE is a motivational and self development approach to job training, designed by the East Harlem Employment Service, that helps students identify their assets, stay focused and overcome barriers. STRIVE also includes interview preparation, resume creation and labor force behavior.

Linda Hahn, Executive Director of MCC, states her foremost goal in this transition to energy efficiency and green awareness was that her students had an equal chance for employment possibilities. “For once, I didn’t want my students left behind.” “Ensuring that disadvantaged Pennsylvanians acquire the skills necessary to thrive in a clean energy economy is of utmost importance, said Senator Arlen Specter, D-PA. “I am pleased to see recovery funds used to bolster our job market, our communities and our environment.”

MCC to Focus on Green Job Training

Read the article that appeared in the Philadelphia Business Journal about MCC's focus on green job training and see how MCC plans to continue to have a positive impact on the community.

New Executive Director Comes to MCC

Though the scarcity of jobs in Philadelphia remains a frustrating reality, Linda Hahn, MCC’s new executive director is not stymied. She has the air of someone who tries even harder when the going gets rough. She loves challenges and the harder the better. Her optimism and her love of MCC are apparent everywhere she goes. Everywhere includes boasting about our school programs and our students at every meeting, forum, agency and funder in this city and beyond.

Linda, a lifelong Philadelphian, came to MCC after over 14 years as the CEO of Planned Parenthood of Bucks County. There she grew the board development, managerial, advocacy, public relations, and fundraising skills that are critical to the success of any organization. She ran successful capital campaigns and built the endowment at the same time winning several national excellence awards from the national Planned Parenthood organization. In her career prior to this she worked in Family Service and Mental Health in the Philadelphia region.

MCC is pleased to have a high energy innovator with many contacts and relationships in the Philadelphia area. We are sure she will continue to build the foundation for numerous MCC success stories to boast about for many years to come.

Linda, who is a graduate of Girls High School, Arcadia and University of Pennsylvania, says, “I have actually wanted to work in the city I love so much for a long time. I want to be part of its success story by having my hand in bringing economic justice and equity to all. That is what will build Philadelphia’s future. It hasn’t been hard to give my heart to MCC.”