Resource Directory for job seekers and employers

Have you heard that Ohio's unemployment rate has topped 10%? Did you hear there is a great new resource for employers and job seekers?

Let's focus on the good news - there's hope, people are trying, this is a regional effort and you're not alone...

The website, www.wheretofindhelp.org, is a collaborative effort sponsored by the Regional Talent Network in an effort to provide one source for employers and job seekers to find the information they need. This information has been pulled together by volunteers and is continually looking for updated information. If you have information you can add please visit their website.

Please pass this information on to anyone that is in need of a job or may know of a resource that would assist in the job placement process.

Ford plant reopen - reasons to celebrate

The Ford plant in Brookpark that has been idle since 2007 reopened with a big celebration today

Why celebrate? Let me list the reasons...

1. The plant reopened after almost 2 years
2. People are returning to work
3. The product that is being made is geared toward fuel efficiency
4. This story was carried in USA Today, the Chicago Tribune, CTV.ca (Canada!), The Wall Street Journal and many other national news organizations
   - this is an extremely positive picture for Cleveland!
5. The engine has 15% lower CO2 emissions
6. There is the potential for much more work for this plant

Be grateful today Cleveland and celebrate - there is good news!

MHS Science Olympiad finishes seventh at national tournament

Congratulations to the students at Mentor High School for finishing seventh out of sixty teams in the national science Olympiad tournament.

Additional details are available on the Mentor High School website

Ohio Recovery - Good news

Do you know about the State of Ohio American Recovery and Reinvestment Act? As federal funds trickle to the state level the website http://www.recovery.ohio.gov/ provides information on where the money is being spent and what funding is available.

There are four types of funding opportunities:

• Individuals (money distributed through appropriate channels)
• Funds distributed by the state
• Funds distributed by the local organizations
  
• Funds distributed by the U.S. government

To find out what opportunities there are visit their website

Entrepreneur looking for funding? Deadline noon, May 15

Project: Cuyahoga County New Product Loan Fund

Entrepreneurs and companies under $50 million in revenue are eligible to apply for the Cuyahoga County New Product Development and Entrepreneurship Loan Fund.

The current application round is now open. The deadline is noon on Friday, May 15, 2009.

For full details visit the MAGNET website

Want more good news? Check out the post Positive Change in Northeast Ohio - April 2009 Recap on NEOinc.

YWCA Women of Achievement 2009

I had the pleasure of attending the YWCA Women of Achievement awards luncheon yesterday. The event was wonderfully put together at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland. I was happy to see that despite the tough economic times there appeared to be a full house.

The luncheon began with Loree Vick, Director, Media and Public Relations, University Hospitals, who welcomed the group and announced the Women of Professional Excellence. This honor was given to 57 participants from area companies. The award is presented to women whose contributions have been recognized by their employers. Each recipient had a chance to walk across the stage and receive their award before returning to their seat.

The YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented by U.S. Representative Marcia L. Fudge to the family of the late U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones. The speech by Representative Fudge and and slide show of Representative Tubbs Jones were inspirational. We were offered a glimpse of why Stephanie Tubbs Jones lived up to the honor of an exceptional woman who exemplified the YWCA's mission of eliminating racism and empowering women. She truly deserved this recognition.

Barbara Danforth, President & CEO of WYCA Greater Cleveland, informed the audience of some of the new initiatives. Two incredible programs worth noting are the Nurturing Independence and Aspirations (NIA) and Peer Awareness Communication Training (PACT). These programs, geared toward teen and young adults, provide transition and life-skill training to girls coming out of foster care or that are in disadvantaged areas.

The Dr. Jennie S. Hwang award was presented to Maya Alunkal at Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Alunkal is a Environmental Geology major with a 4.0 GPA.

The Women of Achievement Award was established in 1977. Since then, 194 women have been recognized with this distinguished honor. The five women honored this year;
Virginia Albanese, President & CEO, FedEx Custom Critical
Judith A. Feniger, Executive Director, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage
Gena C. Lovett, Plant Manager, Cleveland Works, Alcoa
Maria Jose Pujana, M.D. Neurologist and Neurophysiologist/President, Marise Jewelry Designs Co.
Marcia J. Wexberg, Esq., Partner, Estate & Succession Planning Group Chair, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Overall this was an incredible event. I strongly recommend that all women look into the YWCA and see what they have to offer. There are many programs geared toward career and life advancement.

Congratulations to all.