Weatherization Discussed at CBA Meeting
by Dwayne T. Ervin
Community Economic DevelopmentAssociation (CEDA) representativesdiscussed the importance of weatherizationin low-income homes and employmentopportunities at ChathamBusiness Associations monthly meetingrecently.
The members of CBA Juniors puttogether a video promoting CBAs rolein empowering the youth. CBA ViceChairman Joseph Caldwell mentionedthat members should hire youth at theirbusinesses.
Hermine L. Wise director of procurementof CEDAmentioned the impact ofthe American Recovery andReinvestment Act and discussed fiveCEDAprograms including: weatherization,low-income home energy assistanceprogram (LIHEAP), Head Start,Woman Infants and Children (WIC)Program and Workforce and EconomicDevelopment (WED).
CEDA has offered WeatherizationServices to low-income residents ofCook County for 30 years. The stimulusdollars allowed the organization to add15 to 25 contractors, provide financialassistance to contractors for specializedequipment, and provide training to contractorsinterested in specializing inweatherization. New weatherizationcontracts will begin July 1, 2009.
Wise said CEDA has given to minoritybusinesses. She said they would bebuilding a southeast location inRobbins, IL. Weatherization is expectedto increase from 3,500 to 12,000 homes,she said.
John Hamilton director of weatherizationat CEDA talked about tripling thenumber of weatherized homes.President Barack Obama was one of thefirst presidents to talk about the importanceof weatherizing homes, Hamiltonsaid.
To qualify for CEDAs weatherizationservices an individual or householdmust be at 150 percent poverty levelwith an income below $25,000 a year.Ira Williams director of WED said thatpeople should dress properly foremployment. DHS food stamp recipientswere sent for employment programswith CEDA.
CEDA WED expects its clients toarrive 15 minutes before all appointments.
Williams encourages employmentseekers to learn Spanish. It will givethem a leg up, he said. He also mentionedthe summer youth program inChicago and suburban Cook County.
Gloria Gayle and Vernon Harringtonwere added to the CBA board. Gayle isvice president and branch manager ofNational City at 8700 S. Cottage Grove.Harrington is a general manager at BestBuy on 87th and Lafayette Ave. Hewants to target youth by preparing themfor employment through CBA Juniors.He also hopes to build strong businesseswith CBA. We should work on ashared vision, he said. CBA has givenme the opportunity to benefit from networking,he said.
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