In 2001, MCS launched the Workforce Development Capacity Building Program. In 2002, six community-based organizations were selected to participate in the project that is designed to enhance organizational and programmatic capacity in the area of workforce development over a three-year period. The six organizations are: Asian American Civic Association, Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Development Corporation, La Alianza Hispana in collaboration with Oficina Hispana, Project Place, and the Vietnamese American Civic Association.
The Capacity Building Program is funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, Fleet Charitable Trusts, The Boston Foundation, and the Fireman Charitable Foundation. It is linked with a larger Boston-area initiative of local and national funders seeking to strengthen the effectiveness of community organizations engaged in providing workforce development services, foster workforce development partnerships, and advocacy and public policies in support of workforce development. The program is also part of a national, three-city effort (other sites are located in Fort Worth and Nashville) sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation.
The MCS Capacity Building Program is designed to assist each organization to build its capacity in order to increase job placement rates, retention and wage progression. Our services to members of the cohort include:
• Organizational and programmatic assessments
• Strategic workplan development
• Identification of resources, including consultants, needed to implement the workplan
• Individualized technical assistance
• Structured training workshops
• Peer to peer networking
• Funding for organizational support and consulting assistance
MCS is participating in the evaluation of the project, which is being conducted by ABT Associates on behalf of the Rockefeller Foundation.
