Launch of the 2018 Job Development Learning Group

Launch of the 2018 Job Development Learning Group

WPTI is excited to bring back for a fourth year the Job Development Learning Group (JDLG). The JDLG is a cohort program designed to equip and empower job developers with skills that best meet the needs of employer partners and program participants. The program will include in-person sessions, expert guest speakers , private sector leaders, and more.


From L to R: David Thorpe (Fortune Society), Jenny Pierre (WPTI), Alexandria Bellivan (The Actors Fund), Sharon Sewell-Fairman (WPTI), & Greg Holley (WPTI)

JDLG 2018 Launch
The JDLG launched on January 9, 2018 with this year's cohort in attendance with their supervisors. The day began with a welcome from WPTI's Executive Director Sharon Sewell-Fairman who shared her story of her workforce development field. JDLG Alumni Alexandria Bellivan, Employment Specialist at The Actors Fund, and David Thorpe, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Fortune Society highlighted their own JDLG experience, lessons learned, and best practices.

JDLG 2018 Convening 1
The JDLG had its first convening session on January 30 that focused on Labor Market Intelligence (LMI). The guest speaker was Pamela Hoberman, Assistant Director of the NYC Labor Market Information Services at the City University of New York Graduate Center.

Cohort members in an ice breaker activity at Convening 1 & preparing for a day on Labor Market Intelligence.

JDLG 2018 Cohort
We are excited to have on-board this year's cohort who come from programs from all five boroughs:

  • Talia Barzel, The Door - Bronx Youth Center
  • Juliene Bell-Smith, Westchester Educational Opportunity Center
  • Nia Braithwaite, Mental Health Association of NYC
  • Ashirea Burroughs, Southwest Brooklyn Industrial Development Corporation
  • Terry Dussek, Urban Upbound, Jobs-Plus Astoria
  • Natasha Edwards, Urban Upbound
  • Rose Fathers, The HOPE Program/Sustainable South Bronx
  • Kevin Guzman Iglesias, Urban Upbound
  • Rebecca Hippolyte, Dress For Success Worldwide
  • Rosaire Jean Joseph, Mental Health Association of NYC
  • Samentha Jean-Charles, The Door
  • Precious Jones, Sunnyside Community Services
  • Inae Lee, Korean American Family Service Center
  • Regina Lindsey, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation
  • Eman Ma, Chinese American Planning Council
  • Natasha Martinez, Sunnyside Community Services
  • Loridana McLeod, LaGuardia Community College
  • Italo Medelius, Friends of the High Line
  • Erin Laurel Mikulenka, Project Renewal
  • Frank Murphy, United Activities Unlimited
  • Manuel Navedo, Mental Health Association of NYC
  • Knowledge Nevels, Osborne Association
  • Alvin Peralta, Queens Community House
  • Jessica Perez, LaGuardia Community College
  • Jessica Pierce, Rebuilding Together NYC
  • Onika Richards, Columbia University
  • Gina Rios, Urban Upbound - Youth Pathways
  • Alexander Rodriguez, Urban Upbound
  • Fred Russo, AHRC
  • Shana Salzberg, JCCA
  • Richard Santana, Catholic Guardian Services
  • Lizbeth Soto, Center for Frontline Retail
  • Mariamell Tejada, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation
  • Wai Wendy Ng, Catholic Charities Community Services

Stay tuned for monthly updates from this year cohort.

If you are interested in attending one of our other upcoming training workshops, check out our updated training calendar.