Whistle Post Tom Long

Connecticut was the 19th state to legalize adult recreational cannabis in 2021.  As roots of this new industry take hold, a number of questions arise concerning the future workforce needed to support employers.  In this episode, Eric Davis, Chief Learning Officer of Grown In shares his thoughts regarding skills training and the cannabis industry.

More information about Grown In can be found here.

Information on Connecticut's Social Equity Council which was developed to make sure the adult-use cannabis program is grown equitably, and that funds generated from adult-use cannabis are brought back to the communities hit hardest by the war on drugs can be found here.

The Hampton Roads Workforce Council oversees the workforce system in southeast Virginia. They provide strategic workforce development solutions designed to assist businesses in accessing qualified workers and jobseekers in search of suitable job openings and training opportunities to bolster their earning potential.  Over the past 2 years the Hampton Roads Workforce Council has expanded services for veterans, entered the offshore wind industry and completed a merger to enhance operations.

In this conversation, Shawn Avery, President & CEO of the Hampton Roads Workforce Council provides perspective on recent achievements and talks about what is ahead for his organization.

theworkforcecouncil.org

@HamptonRoadsWorkforceCouncil

linkedin.com/company/hamptonroadsworkforcecouncil

Norwalk Acts is transforming their community by building partnership infrastructure and capacity, convening qualified and committed cross-sector community teams, and collecting data so that the membership can deliver on its mission.  It is a catalyst for systems change, aligning collective work to ensure success for all in the community.

This episode catches up with Jesse Buccolo and Denique Weidema-Lewis of Norwalk Acts to hear about what the organization has been up to and plans for the coming year.

For more information about this organization visit norwalkacts.org

As the nation recovers from the pandemic, the housing market has been a great opportunity for some, while others struggle to keep a roof over their heads. In this episode, we hear from David Lavery, Staff Attorney with the Connecticut Fair Housing Center.  David joined the Center in 2016 and litigates fair lending, fair housing, and foreclosure cases. His focus is on identifying and investigating discriminatory lending and housing patterns using quantitative and qualitative data. 

David helps sort through changes taking place in the housing market and highlights programs that are available to help families stay in their homes while they work with their lenders.  For more information about the Connecticut Fair Housing Center visit www.ctfairhousing.org or to speak with a staff member call (860) 247-4400.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are a little-known asset available to entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established small businesses. They’re designed specifically to help small businesses with all kinds of business-related activities, including guiding with marketing and financing. This resource can be a huge help to people who are just starting, or too small business owners looking to expand.

Valeria Bisceglia of Connecticut's SBDC is an advocate for efficiency, streamlining, and building positive cultures that enrich the business environment. With over 16 years of experience, she is a strategist and trusted advisor and go-to resource in the community, helping businesses build their capacity for sustainable growth by encouraging the creation and support of viable organizational practices.

In this episode, Valeria provides an overview of the diverse services made available to entrepreneurs and small businesses.  For more information about the SBDC and how to reach a business advisor, visit ctsbdc.com

Each year hundreds of thousands of individuals are released from prison across the country and according to the Department of Justice, 45% of former prisoners were arrested within one year of release and 68% within three years.  Frequently, men and women released from correctional facilities are inadequately prepared for the challenges before them.  Re-Entry is complex, as a criminal conviction limits employment prospects, public housing assistance, and social services.  They need to attach to supports and resources which will help assure their success in rejoining society. 

This conversation covers topics that are essential to understanding the needs of people re-entering society. Listen to Earl Bloodworth, Director of the Mayor's Initiative for Re-Entry Affairs for the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Terri Williams, Vice President, Re-Entry Programs at The WorkPlace.  Their organizations are fostering support for returning citizens by providing access to valuable resources, and networks of holistic support.

For more information visit: workplace.org/p2e/ and ctreentry.org/