Business, Education and Schools, Free News Articles, NonProfit and Charities

Change Course is a tuition-free career and community development program designed to educate and empower those living in poverty

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The objective of Change Course is to provide program participants (referred to as "leaders") with stronger life and career skills. Through personal development courses and career-focused training, this six-month program aims to provide "leaders" connections to a network of business partners and higher-paying job opportunities.

Joseph Johnson, a recently retired business leader in the Des Moines community for over 25 years, along with his wife Karin, have opened the doors to Change Course. Joseph was incarcerated at a younger age, but was able to rebuild his life and establish a meaningful career, which he attributes to his faith, family and support from a community of caring people. This experience is what fuels Joe's passion to help people achieve personal and economic success in the face of adversity.

"Earlier in life, I was incarcerated for poor choices I made and while incarcerated, I got to know many men who struggled to enter the workforce-not from lack of desire, but the lack of opportunity, quality education, and support from healthy community," Joseph said. "I feel compelled by my relationship with Christ to step up and pay forward what was done for me to help develop a loving community around the people we plan to serve."

A video of Joe talking about his vision can be found at https://change-course.org.

ABOUT CHANGE COURSE:

Change Course is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit formed in 2022 to assist families living in poverty to remove the barriers such as inadequate education, poor support network, inability to navigate existing programs, etc. that are keeping them from emerging out of poverty and becoming self-sufficient. Change Course provides training, support, and connections to a network of other partners (such as educational and employment opportunities) to support program participants in their journey out of poverty.

Change Course has established relationships to facilitate career focused training with Iowa Works, the Evelyn K. Davis Center, Des Moines Area Community College, as well as other like-minded non-profit organizations. More information and opportunities to donate can be found at the website: https://change-course.org.

Change Course is part of the Cross Purpose Network, along with three similar non-profit organizations across the country serving a similar mission:

* Cross Purpose* - Denver, CO

* UpRise - Nashville, TN

* Summit Career Center - Stevensville, MT

* Neighborhood - Chesapeake, VA

*Cross Purpose has been successfully serving their community and building successful leaders for 10 years, and is the primary model for Change Course and all the organizations in the Cross Purpose Network.

2500 University Ave, Ste 311, Des Moines, IA 50311

https://change-course.org/

Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/changecourseiowa

https://www.instagram.com/changecourseiowa/

https://twitter.com/changecourseia

YOUTUBE VIDEO: https://youtu.be/CW6SqnEQUVg

Related link: https://change-course.org/

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Business, Free News Articles, General Editorial

A Fresh Start For 2 Female DEVELOPERS

HAMMOND, Ind. -- Ms. Vianna C. Little, Visionary at Fresh Start Now Enterprise with Ms. Freddie C. Batchelor, A Systemic Change Catalyst at Enterprise of Destiny, two mission-driven women of color professional social enterprise business owners and developers, have come together to launch Project300(™)!

The strategic action plan introduces a fresh new approach in the housing and community development marketplace, to create an economic and social impact for generations to come - amidst the Covid19 pandemic, systemic racism, law enforcement crisis, bias in - coding, artificial intelligence, high unemployment rates, housing, media, education, financial services public-private sectors. Both women have personally experienced injustices and exploitations in residential housing, commercial financing, car sales, legal and the criminal justice system. Despite their challenges and hardships, on the journey experienced, with hard work, passion, and self-development, building on universal principles, they are ready for a "Fresh Start Now"!

The "Power Team" is dedicated and passionate about helping others to achieve their dreams and goals, Building People through educational empowerment programs with the right long-term support, to understand the importance and value of investing in your-self to create a fresh start in their life, to leave a legacy, and to create a good impact in the world, - to "Enjoy Life Experience."

Co-Creator, Vianna C. Little, CVO at Fresh Start Home Community Development Corporation, is a 7-year-old grassroots faith-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit assist agency, born of a vision of purpose, to create a fresh new program - Building Communities through homeownership to create strong and stable families. Fighting on the frontline, as a Humanitarian, and Educator - as a licensed Residential Financial Services Professional - Building Wealth through innovative solutions for the public to attain, maintain and sustain the American Dream at the grassroot.

Enterprise of Destiny is a business founded by Ms. Freddie (Queen B) Batchelor with aspirations to become a franchise. She has spent her life for many years working as a Public Trust Officer and Enforcement Officer with the U.S Depar™ent of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Since her retirement, she has dedicated herself to continually assisting others to learn and engage in the many housing, veterans, and economic development programs and services offered by the federal governmental agencies. The business operates nationally and internationally empowering the underserved communities.

Currently other businesses under her direction and tutelage are: Fresh Start Enterprise, Straightway Builders & Development, FM Enterprises, TEAM Enterprise NFP, and MAXIDO Adult Self Defense, Worldwide Real Talk-Truth along with many others throughout the United States and other countries.

"Project300" purpose is Building People Building Communities Building Wealth(™). Our goal is to create An Evidence-based Community-Driven Model, to duplicate local to global.

We seek to align our efforts with public-private community partners committed to solving the world's broken infrastructure to change the trajectory within 3 years based-on statistics highlighted below:

* Black homeownership rate is the lowest of all groups, at 41.8 percent (US HUD 2020)

* African Americans and indigenous people including Native Americans and Islanders remained considerably overrepresented among the homeless population.

* White households owned 90.7% of household wealth in the United States.

* With Covid19 Mental Health and homelessness has increased drastically.

* The U.S Population has become greater with the entrance of illegal individuals from other countries some of which has extreme mental and social issues.

* The need is greater, and resources are lesser (i.e., employment and money to assist those who have the capacity to truly help decrease the many ill wills socially, expanding global.

"Project300" Strategic Action Plan Unveiling!

Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Enterprise of Destiny business incubator 838 Summer Street, Hammond, IN 46320 (Rear Entrance). And Outreach & Fundraiser Campaign Kickoff & Open House Sunday, May 16, 2021 from 3 p.m. -7 p.m. at the headquarters of Fresh Start Now (Private Partner Meet & Greet).

SOCIAL MEDIA CONTACT INFORMATION:

Mr. Dale Robertson, Executive Producer at Spread the Bread Media, NFP, P.O. Box 811 | Hazel Crest, Il 60429 | 708-612-9246 | Spreadthebread7@gmail.com

VISIONARY CONTACT INFORMATION:

Ms. Vianna C. Little, Principal at Fresh Start Now Enterprise | 5168 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 4N, Chicago, Il 60615 | 312.632.0811 | Info@freshstartnow.us | http://www.freshstartnow.us/

MEDIA CONTACT & SPOKESPERSON INFORMATION:

Ms. Freddie Batchelor | 219 230-7155 | enterpriseanddestiny@yahoo.com

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Awards and Honors, Business, Economic Development, Free News Articles, Government, Real Estate

Arizona Department of Housing Congratulates the Recipients of the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Awards

PHOENIX, Ariz. -- Arizona Department of Housing presented the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Awards at a recognition ceremony in Scottsdale on August 21. The ceremony was held in conjunction with the 16th Annual Arizona Housing Forum; the premier industry event for housing and community development professionals in the state.

The Housing Hero Award recognizes outstanding achievements by nominees in eight categories and is named in honor of the outstanding public service exemplified by the late Brian Mickelsen, an original member of the Arizona Housing Finance Authority and the city manager for the Town of Cottonwood.

Arizona Department of Housing congratulates the 2019 Brian Mickelsen Housing Hero Award recipients in the following categories:

Outstanding Affordable Housing Initiative

* South Phoenix Village Infill Redevelopment Project
City of Phoenix & Foundation for Senior Living

Innovative Supportive Housing Program

* First Place (R) AZ
First Place - Phoenix

Exemplary Rural Multifamily Project
* Las Brisas Sunset Apartments (San Luis)
Comite de Bienestar, Inc.

Exemplary Urban Multifamily Project

* The Marist on Cathedral Square (Tucson)
Foundation for Senior Living

Tribal Initiatives

* TOKA Homes III
Tohono O'odham Ki:Ki Association

Outstanding State Administered Community Development Block Grant Funded Project

* Boys & Girls Club
Town of Prescott Valley

Elected Official

* Gila County Board of Supervisors
Woody Cline, Tim Humphrey, Tommie Martin

Arthur Crozier Partner in Housing

* Michael McQuaid
Human Services Campus (Phoenix)

Learn more about Arizona Dept. of Housing at: https://housing.az.gov/

Related link:

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