2013 opportunity corps presentation for volunteer coordinators

Minnesota Opportunity Corps

Helping economically disadvantaged Minnesotans to earn living wages and attain self-sufficiency

Opportunity Corps Vision

Coming together for a common purpose – to use the power of national service to assist Minnesotans with skill building and resource development to obtain and retain living wage jobs.

Situation in Minnesota…

In the nine-county region, there are 330,000 working-age adults living in or on the edge of poverty.

U.S. Census 2008


There are currently 5.8 unemployed people for each job vacancy statewide.

Job Vacancy Survey (4th Quarter 2010). MN Department of Employment and Economic Development


A family of four needs an income of $56,364 to meet basic needs, yet half the jobs open in Minnesota pay less than $22,500.

Jobs Now Coalition


Limited-income families face a gap of $11,000 or more to even meet basic needs. With these numbers, there’s no getting ahead. Families are struggling to get by and many are falling behind.

Greater Twin Cities United Way- Basic Needs


It is estimated that Minnesota jobs requiring post secondary education will grow by nearly 8% from 2008 to 2018. By 2018, 70% of Minnesota jobs will require post secondary education.

Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, “Percent of Jobs Requiring Postsecondary Education in 2018,” 2010

Partner Organizations

• Accessability, Inc• Amicus• Catholic Charities• Commonbond

Communities• Emerge• International Institute of

MN• Karen Organization of

MN• Lao Assistance Center• Lifetrack Resources• Lutheran Social Services• MN Coucnil of Churches• Project for Pride in

Living• Resource, Inc• Rise, Inc

Program Year at a Glance

• Members begin in October with Member Orientation

• Global Career Development Facilitator training weekly through January

• Site Visits in January/February• Mid-year evaluations due February• Life After AmeriCorps training June/July• Year-end evaluations due August

Global Career Development Facilitator Training

Developed in 1992

Identifies 12 Core Competencies

Third Edition was just released

Member ActivitiesAssessmentFollow along , wrap around services• One-on-one and small group support• Identify barriers (i.e. transportation, child care,

training, criminal record etc.)• Provide skills development training• Find credentialing programs aligning with the

career pathway

Volunteer Mobilization

Volunteer MobilizationTwo primary foci:• Program Participants as volunteers– Enhance skills and experience– Build resume– Connect service with Employment goals

• External Volunteer– Provide support to participants through

employment related activities

Previous Year Results

3,071 received job placement services– 461 were placed in jobs– 90% of site supervisors noted that they

“strongly agree” Minnesota Opportunity Corps members helped to increase their organization’s capacity to serve its target population.