Forest Park City Council introduces Elevate initiative for unhoused workforce development

The City of Forest Park is set to launch an ambitious initiative aimed at empowering displaced, unemployed, and underemployed individuals through a program called Elevate. This initiative, presented at the recent council meeting, seeks to provide essential skills, resources, and support systems to help participants achieve sustainable employment and financial independence.

Miss Gloria, a key figure in the initiative, expressed excitement about the program, highlighting its potential to foster dignity and economic stability through strategic community partnerships. The Elevate program will initially focus on a cohort of 20 to 25 individuals, offering them mental assistance, financial literacy training, and job placement opportunities through collaborations with local educational institutions like Atlanta Technical College and Clayton State University.

The program's design stems from a meeting at Calvary Refuge, the only shelter in Clayton County that keeps families together. This partnership aims to address the pressing need for workforce development, particularly for the unhoused population. Council members voiced their support, emphasizing the importance of providing opportunities for those who have fallen on hard times, including individuals returning from incarceration.

Councilman Gutierrez noted the broader implications of the initiative, suggesting it could serve as a model for other municipalities facing similar challenges. The program not only aims to connect participants with job opportunities but also addresses barriers to employment, such as transportation and housing stability.

As the Elevate initiative moves forward, it promises to be a significant step toward improving the lives of many residents in Forest Park, with hopes that it will inspire similar efforts across the region. The council's approval of the program marks a commitment to tackling homelessness and unemployment through collaborative community efforts.