Category Archives: Congressman Danny K. Davis

Illinois Senior Internet Adoption Coalition and Congressman Danny K. Davis to Announce Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Illinois Jobs Now! Grants for Broadband Adoption Project

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I am very pleased to announce that a project for whom I provided technical assistance through the Illinois ResourceNet has received state and federal funding to provide computer training, equipment and high speed internet service for seniors in 23 publicly-funded senior buildings throughout northern Illinois.  Illinois Senior Internet Adoption Coalition Congressman Danny K. Davis will be holding a press conference on Monday, October 4, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. at Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI), 425 South Kilpatrick, in Chicago.  More details are found in the press release below.  I hope to see you there.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 30, 2010

Contact: Ira Cohen (office of Rep. Danny K. Davis)
773-533-7520

The Illinois Senior Internet Adoption Coalition and Congressman Danny K. Davis will announce federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and Illinois Jobs Now! grants for broadband adoption project to help Illinois low income seniors and people with disabilities cross the digital divide

Press Conference
10:00 a.m.
Monday, October 4, 2010
HSI
415 South Kilpatrick
Chicago, Illinois 60644

The Illinois Senior Internet Adoption Coalition and Congressman Danny K. Davis — a group of nine Illinois public housing authorities, five private providers of affordable housing and other partners — will announce that its program to get Illinois low income seniors and people with disabilities across the Digital Divide has won awards worth $5.9 million from the federal and Illinois governments. MyWay Village, Inc., the grant awardee, will be responsible for the implementation of the program at 23 rural, suburban and inner-city sites in Illinois over the next 24 months.  

“Senior citizens and people with disabilities need adequate, affordable access to the tools of the 21st century,” said U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis. “This project represents a powerful way to close the digital divide by increasing computer training and high-speed Internet availability in our Illinois communities.”

The program will fund new computer equipment, Internet access and Connected Livingr training programs to over 3,000 residents of low income housing in Northern Illinois as well as to residents in surrounding neighborhoods.  Connected Living by MyWay Village is a comprehensive technology adoption program that combines simplified technology with engaging training content and curriculum delivered by Ambassadors who are expert at getting first-time users online. 

Low Income seniors and people with disabilities will gain new computer skills, improved communications with family and friends and better access to valuable information, education and health services.  Trainees who pass a basic computer proficiency test will receive a highly discounted computer and Internet service.  The program will collect adoption data, evaluate best practices and disseminate learning to affordable housing managers through a series of conferences and online tools.

“Low income seniors and affordable housing communities in Illinois deserve equal access to technologies that can deliver better health and economic opportunity,” said Sarah Hoit, CEO and Co-Founder of MyWay Village. “Over the last three years, we have connected thousands of seniors with our `high-tech and high-touch’ approach which has proven to be a winning combination.”

The partners in the Illinois Senior Internet Adoption Coalition include:

o    Atmosphere Communications
o    The Benton Foundation
o    Bethel New Life (Chicago)
o    BMA Management
o    Housing Authority of the County of DeKalb
o    DSSA Strategies
o    Grundy County Housing Authority
o    Habilitative Systems (Chicago)
o    Housing Authority of Henry County
o    Housing Authority of Joliet
o    Kankakee County Housing Authority
o    Moline Housing Authority
o    MyWay Village, Inc.
o    Oak Park Housing Authority
o    Rockford Housing Authority
o    Rock Island Housing Authority
o    Sankofa Safe Child Initiative (Chicago)
o    Senior Lifestyle Corporation

More than $4.7 million in federal funding was awarded competitively through the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).  More than $1.2 million in Illinois Jobs Now! public works funding provided the financial support needed to secure the federal award for Illinois, and coalition partners are contributing and additional $0.9 million in matching funds to bring the total project value to $6.8 million. 

About MyWay Village, Inc.

MyWay Village, Inc. is a Quincy, MA based social impact company.  The Connected Livingr program currently serves thousands of seniors residing in communities managed by such thought-leading organizations as Brookdale Senior Living, Emeritus Senior Living, Benchmark Senior Living, Beacon Communities and the Atlanta Housing Authority.  For more information, visit www.connectedliving.com, call the Connected Living Center at 800.223.5080, or view our YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/connectedliving)

–
Ira Cohen
Director of Issues and Communication
Representative Danny K. Davis (IL07)

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Check Out the Department of Labor’s Job Portal

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I thank Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Danny K. Davis, for providing the following announcement.

Hello Friends,

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration has launched a helpful new Web portal to help job seekers match their current skills to new careers and find out what training is needed to transition from one job to another. This new online tool is called “mySkillsmyFuture” and can be accessed at http://www.myskillsmyfuture.org. Users will be able to view local job postings and locate training and education providers. They also will be able to find descriptions, salary information and common job tasks associated with a new occupation.

Additionally, users will be able to find opportunities for short-term training programs provided by local community colleges and other postsecondary schools. They can find career-specific details about obtaining credentials such as certifications, licenses and apprenticeships. Users also will be able to view and apply for job postings by ZIP Code or state. Job listings are from a national database and will be updated daily.

Ms. Tumia Romero
Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis
Deputy Chief of Staff
3333 W. Arthington, Suite 130
Chicago, IL 60624
773-533-7520 (office)
773-533-7530 (fax)
tumia.romero@mail.house.gov

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Learn How to Become a CEDA Contractor

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I thank Tumia Romero for the following announcement

 Congressman Danny K. Davis

7th District of Illinois

 

In Collaboration with

 CEDA

 

Invites you to attend a

 

 MEETING TO LEARN HOW TO BECOME A CEDA CONTRACTOR

TO DO WEATHERIZATION

AND OTHER CEDA RELATED WORK

  

 Join me for discussions and solutions about how to become a CEDA contractor

  

Talk with CEDA Representatives and find answers.

Attn:  Contractors

Thursday, July 8, 2010 at 7:00 p.m.

Chicago Laborers’ Training and Apprentice Center

5700 W. Homer, Chicago

All Contractors are welcome.

 For additional Information, Please contact Tumia Romero, Office of Congressman Danny K. Davis,

 at 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

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Congressman Davis and the Office of Pat Quinn — Business “Put Illinois to Work” Job Expo‏

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I received the following e-mail from Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Danny K. Davis.

May 25, 2010

Dear Friend:

        Please accept this communiqué as an official invitation to join me as my guest  along with my guests from the Office of Pat Quinn and the State of Illinois at my community launch of  Congressman Danny K.  Davis Business “Put Illinois to Work” Expo is scheduled for June 2, 2010, at 10:30 a.m., at Mandell United Methodist Church, 5000 W. Congress, Chicago, IL., pastor Rev. Sirchester Jackson, who is also co-chair of our Workforce Empowerment Advisory Committee.  This event is for employers, including Private, non-profit, and government entities only.

The Put Illinois to Work (PIW) is a paid work experience where trainee-workers are paid subsidized wages.   Put Illinois to Work is funded by the State of Illinois and federal funding made available in the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families Emergency Contingency Fund created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

        The program allows the employer to hire individuals to work, for $10 dollar an hour (paid by the government), within their organization, 30 hours a week, up to September 30.  The guidelines are attached.

        At this expo, the State of Illinois representatives overseeing the initiative, including the Illinois Department of Human Services and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunities will explain the program.  The Illinois Department of Employment Security will describe any tax credits involved for this program and tax credits in general.  The U. S. Department of Health and Human Services will have a federal representative to answer any questions and to serve as a resource to you.

In addition, we can match you on the spot with subcontractors that are helping to facilitate the business components between employers and employees.  The Subcontractors will recruit workers, pay workers comp and social security, and maintain payroll.

        We hope you can make it to the meeting.  It is an opportunity to sign up on the spot by going on line, receive your Memorandum of Understanding, and receive any necessary information from government officials.  For additional information, and to RSVP, contact my office at, Tumia Romero, Deputy Chief of Staff, 773-533-7520 or tumia.romero@mail.house.gov.

 

Sincerely,

Danny K. Davis

Member of Congress

7th District of Illinois

Put Illinois to Work

Guidelines

 

Who is an Eligible Employer/Business?

Private, non-profit, and government entities are eligible employers. If you have a business with job slots available, you must meet the following:

·       Businesses must provide a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).

·       Businesses must provide a DUNS number, a unique nine-character number that identifies your organization. If you do not have a DUNS number, you may request a DUNS number at no charge to you.

·       Businesses must not be in default on payroll taxes or business taxes.

·       Put Illinois to Work is not intended to subsidize a business’ current workforce. Employers may not rehire individuals that were laid-off after March 15, 2010.

·       Businesses must agree to comply with all applicable labor laws.

·       Put Illinois to Work trainee-workers must not comprise more than 50% of the business’ workforce at each worksite.

·       There is a thirty (30) hour weekly minimum work requirement for Put Illinois to Work trainee-workers. Businesses/Employers must agree to meet this thirty (30) hour weekly minimum.

·       Businesses must provide the necessary training to Put Illinois to Work worker-trainees to ensure competent and successful job performance, and to obtain transferrable skills.

·       Business owners/Employers cannot employ family members as part of the Put Illinois to Work program. Put Illinois to Work worker-trainees may not be related by blood or marriage to the employer.

Ineligible Employment Sectors/Activities Include

·       The adult entertainment industry, including adult bookstores, venues, and gentleman’s clubs

·       Organizations whose primary business is the sale and distribution of packaged liquors (this does not include restaurants, grocery stores, or similar multi-service employers)

·       Employment positions that promote religious views and/or engage in religious proselytizing

·       Political organizations

·       Organizations whose primary business is the sale and distribution of guns or weapons

·       Golf Courses

·       Swimming Pools

·       Casinos or other gambling establishments

·       Zoos

·       Aquariums

 

 

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