The state of Minnesota’s Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) awarded a grant to Community Resource Center (CRC) in August 2024. The grant runs through the end of 2025 and is being used to help East African and other applicants obtain meaningful employment. CRC began the grant with two cohorts pursuing certificate training. Training began in early Fall. By late Fall, 17 individuals received certificates in phlebotomy and 11 others received certificates in Cyber-Security. Many of the young people who received training this Fall are continuing their post-secondary education in either the medical field or IT. 
 
Surveys of those receiving certificates have rated both the programs and the instructors as excellent. As they head towards meaningful employment, we will be updating their progress in this blog.
 
Two new cohorts began their training in January in the same two fields. These two new groups total 29. With the 28 who completed training this past Fall, the new participants bring the total enrolled to 57. As stated in the grant, CRC is expected to provide training for about 150 participants during the grant timeline.
 
In addition to the two current certificate training programs, CRC is investigating the possibility of adding a Certified Nursing Assistant certificate training to be made available during the spring of 2025 for interested persons. Announcements about this and other future training cohorts will be forthcoming.
 
All DEED certificate programs through CRC provide free tuition and free support services. These support services include gas money, financial literacy training, and other supports as needed. Our goal is to support all participants in achieving their employment goals. 

If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please reach out