King-Brock, a native of Due West SC and WorkLink board member since 2002, has a solid background in non-profit management. From her 17 years experience with Anderson Interfaith Ministries (AIM) to her service on many boards in the Anderson area, she has achieved many milestones. In particular, she has flourished in the non-profit arena -- where creativity and perseverance has been crucial for fulfilling the many needs of people at AIM who need a helping hand in life and work.
King-Brock’s interest in social and community services began early. She earned a B.S. at Presbyterian College and her master’s in guidance counseling. Also, she recently acquired her certification in non-profit leadership and has completed both Leadership Anderson and Leadership SC.
Following college, King-Brock became the first director of AIM in May 1990, where the visions and plan for the organization were much bigger than the organization's office and office supplies. "The house for the office was donated two days before I started work -- without even any office furniture, supplies or a computer," she said. But she and her board’s efforts for AIM have certainly paid large dividends since then.
According to King-Brock, AIM helps people help themselves where we she points out, "We give a hand up, not a hand out."
"AIM began its operations focusing on emergency assistance for people who needed help filling their basic needs in life -- from utilities to rent and mortgages," King-Brock said. "Now we've grown to include education, daycare and many other services that now don't just touch a family, but can actually change a generation."
WorkLink and AIM have worked together for the past two and a half years helping people such as Anna Dukes -- by providing assistance with housing, childcare and ultimately training/education. King-Brock hopes that AIM and WorkLink can continue to co-enroll participants in their programs, strengthening the safety net for people in need. "I am also excited about WorkLink's Adult and Youth programs and some more opportunities we’ve uncovered lately to offer even more specialized training options to participants," she said.
WorkLink's first Annual Adult and Youth Job Fairs, held April 24 and 25 at Clemson University’s Littlejohn, scored a success. There were more than 500 attendees both days and many people made connections with 40 employers who exhibited. Attendees also received assistance in these areas:
WorkLink's first JobFairs attracted many attendees, based in large part on a 10-x Group marketing and public service campaign that included Fairway outdoor ads.
The Gateway to College (GTC) Program at Tri-County Technical College just graduated students from its inaugural class at its main campus in Pendleton, SC August 3.
Gateway, partially funded by WorkLink and the Bill Gates Foundation, serves at-risk youth, 16-to-20 years old, who have dropped out of school. The national program just began this past school year with Tri-County Tech serving proudly as one of the first schools to implement this invaluable program. GTC allows students the opportunity to earn a high school diploma while earning college credits and achieving college success.
Students accumulate both high school and college credits, earning their high school diploma while progressing toward an associate degree or certificate.
According to Juan Luvene, WorkLink Regional Youth Services Coordinator, GTC is such a natural partnership. "WorkLink and GTC both are in the business of serving at-risk-youth," he said. "The program and staff are professional and knowledgeable and seeing these students change their lives is such a joy to watch."
Although there was attrition from the beginning of the school year, as is unfortunately expected with any type of coursework or GED and/or diploma program, Gateway graduated two students in 2007 and 70 students are expected to enroll this fall.
A couple of graduates' stories truly depict the real success of the program. Julius Gambrell, 20 years old, dropped out of high school when he was 18 and didn’t really have the home support to encourage him to go back to school and set career goals. He eventually heard about Gateway and now that he has his high school diploma, he is well on his way to a career in motivational speaking through continued studies at Tri-County Tech. Laura Mosher, 21 years old, dropped out of High school in her second semester of her senior year because she believed no one at school or at home cared for her or cared if she attended school. Since she completed the Gateway program she plans on continuing her education at Tri-County and then will transfer to either USC or Coastal Carolina to major in marine biology.
Gateway Director Nita Colman (center) and her first two program graduates, Julius Gambrell and Laura Mosher
In their first term, students take foundational courses as part of a learning community. This experience builds their academic and personal skills, preparing them for college courses. During the Foundation term, students take reading, writing, and math, plus a college survival and success class where students learn how to take effective notes, study for tests, and juggle school, work, and family life. After completing the Foundation term, students take a career development class to help them focus their academic goals and select a major.
According GTC Director Nita Colman, GTC will continue to expand the program while providing the personal touch to all of their students. "We have about 12 prospective students to graduate this fall (2007) with more to follow. These students are changing their lives and reinventing their future," she added.
WorkLink was a part of the Southern Growth Policies Board's annual analysis of the Southern workforce which generally depicts the "Future of the South."
Following a meeting that was held this past spring in Clemson, SC, WorkLink was one of 145 Forums in 14 Southern states which collected workforce, educational and industry data from more than 2,700 people. This qualitative data, along with quantitative data, points to a disturbing downward trend in workforce readiness and graduation rates in the South, especially compared to the national averages. The report also compared other select developed and developing nations and how their educational attainment and achievement levels are surpassing America’s educational indicators. Note just a couple of charts from the report:
For more information:
EnterpriseSouth.biz report ($20) and DVD can be ordered through the Southern Growth Policies Board website at www.southern.org/pubs/puborderform.pdf, or by emailing ngos@southern.org.
Gov. Mark Sanford issued two Executive Orders July 20 transferring the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Labor Market Information programs to the Department of Commerce, a move that will consolidate SC's economic development efforts.
The TAA program, which was administered by the Employment Security Commission, helps those who've lost their job due to global competition find suitable long-term employment as soon as possible. The Labor Market Information / One Stop Core Services program collects and provides economic and workforce information, including employment projections and annual economic reviews of the state. Moving these two programs under the umbrella of the Department of Commerce will create clear lines of executive accountability and increase coordination by placing them alongside the Workforce Investment Act program, which is already housed in Commerce.
