SJI Snapshot 2024

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. 2024 Snapshot

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 ** Finance Committee

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Our Senior Leadership Team

Ryan Davis

Executive Director

Brandon Anaya

Managing Director of Policy & Consulting

Stephanie Mangune Vice President of Human Resources

Hanna Welch Vice President of Communications & Technology

Kevin Osborn Vice President of Operations

Karthik Mohan Vice President of Finance

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

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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

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.

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. Seattle Jobs Initiative

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 ff ti th i h lth d llb i

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

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 33 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

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

“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.”