Issuu

2024 Snapshot

Our Mission SJI supports people from under-invested communities to build careers. By creating equitable workforce systems and developing impactful partnerships, we address structural racism.

Our Vision Every worker has a career that allows them, their family, and community to thrive.

Our Values

Integrity Equity Innovation Grit Empathy Collaboration

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Our Racial Equity Commitment At Seattle Jobs Initiative, we wholeheartedly commit to challenging the systems and structures that perpetuate racial inequity. We understand that addressing structural racism requires immediate and continuous action. By partnering with individuals, communities, and organizations, our aim is to create inclusive and continuous pathways to living wage jobs and careers for all.

2024 Snapshot

Our History As federal policy reduced opportunities for job training for low-income individuals, then Mayor, Norm Rice was looking for ways to do things differently. He partnered the Annie E. Casey Foundation and Seattle’s Office of Economic Development (OED) to create Seattle Jobs Initiative (SJI). The goal was to develop a one-stop shop that would combine job-skills training, wraparound services, and business involvement to connect low-income individuals with living-wage jobs. In 1997, SJI launched. SJI spun off from OED in January 2003 and established itself as an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. SJI continues to function as a workforce development intermediary invested in providing long-term solutions for a diverse workforce that serves the needs of both industry and residents. Although we are a long-standing Seattle nonprofit, our work and impact go far beyond the Pacific Northwest. We help people, partners, and systems grow and succeed.

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Our Board Since 2022, 40% of board members are newly installed. Our reshaped board is more representative of the residents of the Seattle-King County area. These leaders donate their time and expertise in shaping our work with financial and policy oversight. Kim Anderson*

Amazon Principal Program Manager

David Jackson, III

Talent Pathways and Learning HealthPoint Director

Jiquanda Nelson

Diversity Window CEO

Ben Pierson**

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Senior Program Officer, Integrated Delivery Global Health

Sarah Scherer

Pacific Coast Operations at Transportation Institute Vice President

Board Roles: *Board Chair

**Secretary & Treasurer

*** Finance Committee

2024 Snapshot

Our Senior Leadership Team

Ryan Davis

Stephanie Mangune

Kevin Osborn

Director of Human Resources

Director of Operations

Brandon Anaya

Hanna Welch

Tim Gould

Managing Director of Policy & Consulting

Director of Communications & Technology

Interim Director of Finance

Executive Director

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Our Staff Passionate for the work. Compassionate for people. We not only want to provide careers for our clients, but we believe in doing so for our staff too. SJI's goal is to train and retain those we hire. We strive to promote staff who are ready to elevate their skills in new roles. The SJI team is made up of researchers, consultants, career navigators, case managers, program managers, and directors whose careers have been helping shape and lead workforce services. Our team members often reside in and reflect the diverse communities we serve; many share similar lived experiences with our clients.

We respect our staff’s right to privacy and do not require them to disclose personal information. Subsequently, the above numbers don’t share a common “N” and are not representative of the total number of team members.

2024 Snapshot

Our Expertise Partnerships and Career Pathways Our career-building programs lift up those historically excluded by breaking down barriers to jobs with upward mobility, and helping them navigate meaningful pathways to a better life. We provide assistance for needs like: food & housing, transportation, childcare, laptops, and work clothes. And guidance and coaching in areas like: career planning, digital training, and technical skills. In 2024 new training pathways include: Solar and Green Stormwater Infrastructure. Below are excerpts from 2023 client success stories.

Intro to Healthcare Apprenticeship Program

Digital Bridge

Working on the Water

Elena, was a Surgical Nurse in Russia. Upon arriving in the US, she worked in a long-term care facility. “I was really concerned about training because of my English skills.” After 4 months of classes, she was hired as a CNA. “I had multiple offers and had to choose! I had the feeling that wings had grown behind my back. I became confident in myself and did not worry, because the staff always supported me.”

Zainab, who immigrated from Afghanistan, was searching for employment. She received a laptop, training to address digital barriers, and intensive career navigation. In November of 2023, Zainab started her first U.S. job working at SeaTac Airport as a Customer Service Agent. She has also enrolled in IHAP with an ultimate goal of a career in healthcare. Olukayode was seeking full-time employment and enrolled in Working on the Water. He was dedicated and followed through when he needed to retake portions of the Basic Training section. He has now earned all the necessary certificates and applied for his Merchant Mariners Credential. With his tenacity and drive, we see a bright future in the Maritime industry.

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Our Expertise Policy Research and Evaluation Our research is more than just data. It’s informed by our on-the-ground work, and in turn, it shapes the real-world skills, guidance and pathways we create for those in need. Our team’s work complements our program efforts and allows us to achieve a far greater impact for low-income communities than through program services alone. We identify systemic issues and provide solutions that addresses the barriers lowincome individuals face in obtaining the education and jobs they need to advance out of poverty. Use this link to view current research projects.

2024 Snapshot

Our Expertise Consulting The consulting team helps our human services and workforce partners across the country to design, implement, and fund more effective programs and services, all aimed at helping people access education, support, and living-wage careers. Focus work includes: Human-Centered Design works to make systems and programs more responsive to the needs of the under-served. Technical Assistance is the nation’s leading expert in helping state and local governments, and provider partners, operationalize and expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T). Equity and Environmental Justice represents our work to address disparities and barriers to ensure communities fully and meaningfully participate in decisions affecting their health and wellbeing.

Seattle Jobs Initiative

How We Measure Success We use our strategic plan’s key performance indicators to measure our impact. Goal 1: Empower underinvested communities and people to participate in and benefit from an inclusive economic recovery. Primary Metrics: Include services provided, client demographics, job placements, wages, number of BIPOC led/serving partnerships, and percentage of BIPOC served. 18 active collaborations with BIPOC community-based organizations 69% of clients served identified as BIPOC $21.05, average starting wage for SJI program completers

Goal 2: Solidify SJI’s role in the Seattle-King County workforce development ecosystem while expanding work across the greater Puget Sound region. Primary Metrics: Increasing employer representation on committees and added employer partnerships resulting in coordinated systems and increased job placements. 29 workforce partner agencies engaged in learning 18 industry partnerships $2.7M additional regional workforce funds Co-developing Maritime Leadership Table

Goal 3: Expand and diversify SJI’s work as a nationally recognized provider of technical assistance and research for SNAP E&T. Primary Metrics: National impact. 12 new SNAP E&T providers 10 community colleges 7 reports published in high profile areas For more on SJI's Strategic Plan, please visit our website.

2024 Snapshot

Our Participants We are passionate about our work to remove or diminish barriers. Our training, career, and educational pathways assist under and unemployed adults (typically ages 16-40+) in King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties. Last year, our clients reported speaking 34 native languages other than English. The graphic below illustrates client demographics, outcomes, and impact.

Seattle Jobs Initiative

2024 Financials We leverage funding to increase our capacity and ensure program sustainability. Our financial portfolio is diverse and includes revenue from city, county, state, federal, and private sources. Revenue stems from our consulting services, donations, and grants. Seattle Jobs Initiative utilizes the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) to ensure proper reporting and transparency. SJI undergoes an independent annual audit and Single Audits as applicable.

2023 Revenue $7,254,425 2024 Operating Budget: $8,994,880

2023 Revenue by Type Grants - 68% Program Services 30% Interest/Donations 2%

2024 Snapshot

Our Partners Our work is not done in isolation. We collaborate with other community-based organizations; community colleges and universities; city, county, and state governments; workforce boards; and industry. The resulting synergy maximizes not only our potential and reach but also magnifies our collective impact.

2024 Partner Endorsement “Thanks to SJI’s digital literacy training program, Digital Bridge, our participants have had higher outcomes in their education and training pursuits. SJI’s staff have been helpful, supportive, and kind.”

Kolbi Monasmith Cherokee Nation Program Administrator Native Workforce Services Program United Indians of All Tribes Foundation

Seattle Jobs Initiative

Our Next 25 Years The Greek philosopher Heraclitus is credited with saying, “the only constant in life is change.” Since our founding over 25 years ago, the scope of our work has evolved to meet changing times. What has remained constant, and will continue to be our focus, is our commitment to low-income and low-skilled clients. We are steadfast in our mission to not only build living-wage careers but help create a more equitable workforce for everyone.

info@seattlejobsinit.com

1200 12th Avenue South, Suite 160 Seattle, WA 98144 www.seattlejobsinitiative.com