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Addressing the Pandemic: The International Friendship Center
Written By: Taylor Ashley | Issue: 2020/12 - December
An innovative program launched by the International Friendship Center in Highlands aims to sharpen the work skills of people throughout the community.
The International Friendship Center of Highlands is launching a Career and Professional Development Center to help address the issues of unemployment and underemployment.
The service will link potential candidates with current job opportunities coupled with career coaching and mentoring to help candidates match their skills to the right job opportunities.
“The impact from Covid-19 on local immigrant families and other underserved households in our community as well as the impact to public health, the economy, and the education system has shed light on the need for additional training and access to jobs with fair pay to support the marginalized families in our communities,” said Taylor Ashley, executive director of the IFC.
“We envision this bi-lingual service to provide education and training focused on job-readiness, job retention, and financial literacy. This will be achieved through committed partnerships with regional entities including the Emergency Council, Literacy and Learning Center, Highlands Chamber of Commerce, Hudson Library, NC Works and Southwestern Community College.”
Grants to develop and launch the program have been made available by Cullasaja Women’s Outreach, Nantahala Health Foundation and Regions Bank.
For information about this program and all of the services offered by the International Friendship Center, stop by the offices at 348 South Fifth Street or go to internationalfriendshipcenter.org.