Spring 2021
Two Training Programs Start in SCDHC COVID-19 Learning Pods
With the beginning of spring SCDHC has started two in-person training programs focused on improving the job opportunities available to its clients. Both programs are held in SCDHC’s conference room-turned-pod learning classroom.
The first program, called the Digital Navigation Program, is an 8-week training held in Spanish that provides access to technology and teaches the skills necessary to utilize the internet and common computer programs to help start a business, manage finances, access benefits, find work, and navigate the modern workplace. The digital navigation courses are integrated with services provided by the Financial Opportunity Center to meet the technology needs of each client and help relate trainings to each client’s individual workplan. SCDHC’s ultimate goal with the Digital Navigation Program is to help address long-standing racial inequities in technology access and training and help respond to the need for additional technology resources during the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic recovery from the pandemic.
The second class, called the “Passport to Success” Employability Training Program, is a 10-week program that combines vocational training in structured cable wiring and life skills training to expand quality employment options for young people in Richmond. Program Manager Ms. Sandra Sykes designed the program to help class participants develop tangible skills that they can use to advance their careers while teaching social and emotional intelligence skills like communication, resilience, leadership, adaptability, and critical thinking that are transferrable across all career paths. Structured cable wiring courses are taught by professionals in the field from Secured Network Solutions, and SCDHC additionally connects participants with apprenticeship opportunities in other fields based on their interests. SCDHC’s goal with the Passport to Success program is to help provide young people pathways to obtaining quality employment and to provide the skills necessary to be successful in any work environment.
The Digital Navigation Program is supported by funding from LISC Virginia through Citizens Bank and the Passport to Success program is supported by in-kind support from Secured Network Solutions, Leadership and Achievement Academy, and New Life Community Center. For more information, please contact Robbie Franklin (rfranklin@scdhc.com, (804) 231-4449 ext. 302).
Why Homebuyer Education is so Important
Buying a home is more complicated than renting an apartment or a house. That’s why Homebuyer Education is so important. Homeownership is a long-term financial commitment and a heavy responsibility, so you want to make sure you are fully confident moving forward in the process. Purchasing a home will probably be one of the most important decisions you will make. That’s why it’s important to educate and understand exactly what you’re getting into before starting the process. Taking a Homebuyer Education Workshop will do just that! It will help you assess whether you are mortgage ready. You also have an opportunity to learn credit requirements from a Lender before buying a home. In most cases, the workshop is free to take and the certificate is good for two years. Taking advantage of homebuyer education will help you as a homebuyer prepare for the process and provides you the tools and resources you need to be a smart, confident, and successful homeowner.
SCDHC is beginning its Virtual Homebuyer Education Workshops this spring. Sign up below!
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Jim’s Handy Home Hints
Are you ready for Spring? If not, it’s coming anyway so you might as well face it. Spring brings new life and new growth, it’s time to clean out the old and refresh the used.
You must prepare for what’s to come!
Check Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: change all the batteries, clear dust from the outside of the detector. If your detector is older than 10-years, it should be replaced with a new detector.
Get your A/C serviced before hot temperatures sets in: getting your unit checked can find potential problems and save you the inconvenience and discomfort of dealing with a breakdown in the middle of summer.
Do you have a Sump Pump? Springtime can bring about spring showers and heavy rain. This water can accumulate around the home's foundation and enter the crawl space or basement, if the sump pump is not working or not working properly these areas can flood. There are also battery backup devices that can operate your sump pump during power failures.
Checked the Roof lately? The roof protects the home’s structure and you from the outside elements, missing or damaged shingles or roofing components can allow water to enter the building causing damage to your belongings or the building itself. Keep gutters clean and free of debris which can cause overflowing and water to enter into the basement or crawl space.
Seal the Cracks: you should have caulking on hand to seal around doors and windows to reduce the cooling load on your A/C equipment it also keeps hot air from filtering inside the home causing unexpected higher cooling bills.
Mulch around your evergreen shrubbery and other plantings. Cut branches away from the siding of your home.
Make sure you don’t have dead branches in your trees or branches in contact with your power and telephone lines. High winds will cause the branches to bend or break and fall on the power lines or phone lines which will disrupt service to your home.
Generators! This one is simple, never operate your generator inside an enclosed space such as your garage, basement, laundry/utility room. Exhaust fumes will cause dangerous deadly gases to enter the home which will cause death!
Do you cut grass? Now is the time to have your lawn mower checked and turned-up, replace spark plug, change the old gas if you left it in the mower over winter, replace the air filter, sharpen the blades.
Do you enjoy having snakes and field mice around your home or in your garage basement or crawl space? Keep the grass cut 3” or lower, cut weeds and tall grass around the homes foundation.