“MD Labor is pleased to support Centro de Apoyo Familiar in their efforts to improve the lives of individuals impacted by substance use disorder in Prince George’s County through training and employment,” said MD Labor Acting Secretary Portia Wu. “This project demonstrates the importance of serving individuals with higher barriers to participation in the workforce. Centro de Apoyo not only provides training and job placement services but is also a critical source of support for individuals facing barriers to employment. We are assisting in the creation of a stronger, more resilient workforce and a brighter future for all with this investment,” continued Acting Secretary Wu.
 
Prince George County’s economy has pockets of labor instability resulting from employee layoffs and income regression. CAF serves families whose income is below 80% of median level income of Prince George County and its surrounding areas.
 
CAF was founded in 2006 with the mission to transform communities through economic, social, and educational empowerment in collaboration with community and faith-based organizations. CAF serves more than 15,000 Hispanic and Latino families annually, with a focus on Prince George’s County, through its asset building programs that include housing counseling, financial literacy, and workforce development services.
 
With this funding, CAF will work in partnership with Elocin Global Logistics and House of Restoration (Casa De Restauracion Hispana Cristiana) to support 14 individuals returning to the workforce following financial impact due to COVID-19 and substance use disorder recovery.  
 
“We are excited to collaborate with two incredible organizations to complement our holistic approach and expand the depth of services we provide. It is our goal to transform an individual’s life in mind, body, and soul. This partnership will offer people with no hope an opportunity to realize long-lasting financial stability,” states Walkiria Pool, President and Founder of CAF.
 
The trucking industry faces several challenges including a lack of skilled labor, particularly minority populations, therefore, CDL training and licensing is in high demand. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the U.S. could have a shortfall of truckers that could exceed 160,000 by 2028. The ATA estimates that over the next decade, the industry will have to recruit nearly 1,000,000 new drivers into the industry to replace retiring drivers, those who leave voluntarily (e.g., lifestyle) or involuntarily (e.g., driving records or failed drug test), as well as additional drivers needed for industry growth.
Elocin Global Logistics, a black female-led transportation solutions firm, has helped more than 600 people obtain CDL licensing, of which 92% obtained their commercial driver’s license resulting in an 83% employment placement success rate; 37% have become owner/operators. Elocin provides job readiness support and partners with small to medium fleet owners to connect students to its training program with employment.
 
“Through my experience working in the transportation industry, and specifically creating training programs, I have had a front row seat to what has and has not been done effectively or efficiently. Our team has expertise in all areas of transportation including freight, brokerage and dispatch, and more importantly training individuals with barriers to employment,” states Nicole Francis, CEO of Elocin Global Logistics.
 
House of Restoration works with Hispanic and Latino returning citizens and homeless individuals affected by substance use disorder in Prince George’s County and has served over 2,500 individuals to date, none of whom have been re-incarcerated.
 
“Working for over 25 years with the underserved population and homeless community has been a great blessing to help men be restored in a holistic way; adding the CDL program to our center will help these men get into a long lasting and successful career pathway,” stated the Rev. Iluminada Gomez, Executive Director for Casa de Restauracion Hispana Christiana.
 
The 14-week program will include financial literacy, first-time home-buying support, barrier removal services, job readiness, English language services, hands-on training, preparation for the CDL test, and job placement support services. Following this pilot program, the partners plan to scale to serve more individuals and expand beyond Prince George’s County to Baltimore.