Employment in Washington, D.C. is becoming increasingly difficult.
In fact, as of August, D.C. Unemployment rate is 6.0% –– Best in Japan. The unemployment rate has increased by 0.7% since August 2024.
About 17% of DC residents lived in poverty 2024, and Marginalized communities were hit hardest.. Last year, 30.5% of black residents and 11.9% of Latino residents lived in poverty, while the poverty rate for non-Hispanic white residents remained at 4.6%.
With little room for economic mobility in Washington, D.C., multiple organizations and nonprofits are fighting to change these statistics.
From on-the-job training to employment counseling, here are some local and government groups working to provide services to unemployed people in Washington, D.C.
LGBTQ-focused programs
Cesar Toledo, executive director of the Wanda Alston Foundation, knows firsthand the struggle to rise out of poverty.
Toledo, a first-generation Latino who grew up in an immigrant family, said educational opportunities helped her break out of the cycle of poverty.
“Serving as executive director of the foundation and supporting the most vulnerable in our community has given me a front-line perspective on the work that needs to be done to ensure that our young people can not only survive, but grow independently, live on their own and afford their own apartments,” Toledo said.
The Wanda Alston Foundation provides housing, free counseling, accessible employment opportunities, and a variety of other services that open new paths to economic mobility for homeless LGBTQ youth in Washington, DC. The foundation also provides educational support to incarcerated youth to help them continue their efforts to secure an education.
The organization recently launched an initiative called Slay & Sauté, which gives those it supports the opportunity to learn cooking skills that can ultimately lead to a career as a chef.
Email: [email protected]
phone: 202-465-8794 Contact @wandaalstonfoundati
Project LEAP is a program sponsored by Damian Ministries that supports job seekers in the D.C. area who identify as transgender, gender nonconforming, or nonbinary.
You can request to be paired with a one-on-one job coach who will provide you with pre-employment training and the tools you need to overcome financial barriers.
Project LEAP has two other programs specifically for job seekers. One is called Project LEAP We Thrive, a support group dedicated to discussing employment challenges faced by men of color. The other, called Project LEAP Job Start, is designed to help early career job seekers receive employment guidance and ensure their resume and interview skills are up to par.
We also offer a “Style Closet” where job seekers can receive advice on what to wear for interviews.
Email: [email protected]
DC LGBTQ+ Community Center Job Club
The DC LGBTQ+ Community Center hosts weekly job club meetings to help those seeking employment or those struggling to find work.
The group’s goal is to “increase confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searching and networking, enabling participants to move from being mere ‘applicants’ to ‘candidates’,” the website says.
Meetings are held every Wednesday from 6pm on Zoom
Email: [email protected]
government resources
The Department of Employment Services (DOES) offers on-the-job training opportunities to job seekers looking for a way to gain experience while maintaining employment.
Salaries range from $14 to $23.95 per hour depending on the job, and employees must work a minimum of 32 hours per week.
The types of jobs employees may work in include administration, property management, merchandising, health care, law enforcement, hospitality, and transportation services.
Email: [email protected]
We will carry out vocational skills training
If you need further advice, our employment specialists can help guide you in the right direction by helping you obtain the training and certifications that local employers need. Training will focus on high-demand industries such as construction, healthcare, IT, and retail.
Email: [email protected]
For additional services and resources, including DC Employee Rights and Federal Employee FAQs, please visit click here.
DC sustainable energy operator
Sustainable Energy Utility’s programs give you the opportunity to gain the skills you need to get a green job.
These programs offer residents a paid five-month opportunity to observe and learn a variety of skills needed for green jobs. Anyone can join, whether you’re a first-time worker, in between jobs, or simply looking for a new employment opportunity.
Possible jobs to study include electrical engineering, solar power technician, building maintenance, HVAC helper, and mechanical engineering.
Email: [email protected]
phone: 202-479-2222
The Human Rights Office provides the following resources to help employers understand how to combat hiring bias and employees to understand their rights.
employed transgender people –– To understand how employers can recognize and address hiring bias against transgender applicants.
Evaluating transgender applicants –– For employers to receive guidance on how to best support transgender applicants and employees beyond their legal obligations.
LGBTQIA+ Resource Portal –– For LGBTQIA+ employees or residents to better understand their workforce and legal rights.
Non-Government Vocational Training Opportunities
SOME Center for Employment Training (CET) is a technical college.
Get free job training in healthcare and construction, and get advice on the skills you need to land the right job. From resume support to crafting the perfect cover letter, you’ll gain both the work experience and professional skills you need to land a job.
Although a high school GED is not required, the CET program is open to applicants with criminal records.
Email: [email protected]
phone: 202-797-8806
For mail: 71 O St., NW, Washington, DC 20001
Academy of Hope offers career training programs in a variety of fields.
Healthcare programs include training for medical billing and coding, nursing assistants, and phlebotomy technicians.
If you’re in business, you can get training in project management, and if you’re in information technology, you can enroll in a program that could lead to jobs in technical support, IT operations, or other similar fields.
These programs only run from February to June. Classes offered included hands-on work from industry experts with the goal of equipping students with entry-level certifications to stay competitive in in-demand jobs after graduation.
Contact page: click here
Catholic Charities offers courses that provide residents with the resources they need for their career path.
Courses include work skills as a bank sales representative, construction work with sustainable solutions and professional counseling.
Catholic Charities also offers English as a Second Language courses and individual career assistance for adults with developmental disabilities.
Email: [email protected]
phone: 202-772-4300
University of the District of Columbia (UDC)
You don’t have to be a college student to take advantage of UDC’s workforce development and lifelong learning courses.
Learn the skills you need to land jobs related to early childhood education, construction and property management, healthcare, hospitality and tourism, information technology, and lifelong learning.
Courses are free, but some courses may require a minimum copayment.
Email: [email protected]
phone: 202-274-5000
With UPO, you can earn certifications in child development, culinary arts, plumbing, professional building maintenance, information technology, and more.
To begin the pre-registration process, you must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, and be drug-free.
Contact form: click here
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
