NYC Council Member Bill de Blasio to keynote StreetWise Partners graduation ceremony

5.18.2007

Largest graduating class in StreetWise Partners’ ten year history

StreetWise Partners (SWP) will welcome Council Member Bill de Blasio as the commencement speaker at their adult program graduation ceremony this Saturday. De Blasio will address 62 graduates who have completed a 15-week job training and career coaching program. StreetWise Partners builds mentoring relationships between motivated low-income individuals and volunteer business professionals to develop workplace skills and employment networks as the bridge to a successful career.

Since 1997, roughly 800 motivated job seekers have graduated from the intensive weekly training program. This year over a thousand volunteers are poised to serve 300 participants in SWP’s core programs. The core training sessions – developed with help from volunteer HR professionals – include computer skills instruction as well as soft skills trainings in goal setting, resume and cover letter writing, interview preparation, networking, workplace etiquette and public speaking.

Current SWP participant Minera Rodriguez explained, “I look forward to Saturday’s and attending StreetWise Partners. The SWP program increased my motivation, improved my attitude, sharpened my focus, and enhanced my computer and networking skills. I highly recommend the program!”

Council Member de Blasio’s career in public service demonstrates his commitment to workforce development and effective job training. He fought for $200 million in federal funding to build one-stop job training centers throughout the city. He has championed policy change designed to ensure that New Yorkers get the education and training they need to move from public assistance to permanent jobs that pay decent wages.

When: Saturday, May 19, 2007, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Pricewaterhouse Coopers – 300 Madison Avenue
What: StreetWise Partners graduation ceremony