Immigrants in minnesota play a crucial role in the economy despite glaring inequities

Studies show that bipoc communities have been most negatively affected by the pandemic, with african and latinx communities representing the two worst affected groups by nearly every metric.1,2 copal and acer, two community-led organizations, have developed services to address the immediate and long-term economic challenges of the latinx and african communities. The centers for african/ latinx workers, youth, and entrepreneurs will focus on job placement, workforce training and postsecondary access, advocacy and education of worker's rights, entrepreneurship and wealth creation. Over the course of 24 months, the centers will provide direct services and support to 400 adult and youth community members. Activities performed project activities and participant services include the following: - participant recruitment, intake, enrollment, and assessment; - individual development and business planning; - career & entrepreneurship coaching; - training navigation & postsecondary access counseling; - basic skills training: GED, adult education, work readiness/ job search, digital literacy; - short-term career and entrepreneurship training leading to credentials - legal services and other referrals. Deliverables wioa performance indicators total project goal total persons served: 400 (100%) measurable skills gains: 200 (50%) credential attainment: 100 (25%) median earnings: $31,200+ annual ($15/HR+) project-identified outcomes: total project goal adult participants obtaining employment outcomes, including self-employment. 200 (50%) title i youth participants obtaining employment or education outcomes. 40 (10%) victims of wage theft supported with legal services/ wage recovery 60 (15%) intended beneficiary the copal and acer collaboration will serve all interested minnesotans that possess (a) barriers to employment or entrepreneurship, and (b) documentation to establish both identify and employment authorization to work in the US, targeting low to moderate income first, second, and third generation immigrants from the latinx and african diasporas - serving a total of 400 adults and youth (16+) during the project's two-year operational period. Subrecipient activities activities to be performed by subrecipient acer include: - participant recruitment, intake, enrollment, and assessment; - individual development and business planning; - career & entrepreneurship coaching; - short-term career and entrepreneurship training leading to credentials - legal services and other referrals.