Helping Refugees: Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center Receives Award for Literacy Program
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The City of Alexandria’s Workforce Development Center (WDC) received the Community Partner Award from the Literacy Council of Northern Virginia (LCNV) on Oct. 29.
In 2017, the WDC and LCNV collaborated to create a literacy program for refugees receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). The TANF program was created by the federal government to “help needy families achieve self-sufficiency,” according to its website.
The WDC literacy program, in three years, has helped 140 people learn English and prepare them for employment.
Since its inception, the program has grown to accommodate multiple levels of learning with intensive classes and training. Each client graduates with a professional résumé, volunteer experience, and a Guest Service Gold credential for work in the hospitality industry.
WDC helps Alexandria residents looking for employment with a number of services, including interview preparation. In July, they launched Strive & Thrive: Helping Alexandria Stay Resilient & Get Back to Work. Its aim is to assist those experiencing job loss due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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