Economic Empowerment

Designed to help the unemployed and underemployed obtain employment and increase their marketable skills, the Urban League of Broward County's economic empowerment programs promote self-sufficiency while preparing participants to enter the workforce.  The goal is to break the cycle of poverty and level the economic playing field.  This department consists of two program components: Wealth Building and Employment and Training. 

 
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS
Jeaneen West, Program Manager, 954.625.2572

BUYEP - Broward Urban Youth Employment Program is a program for youth between the ages of 18-24.  The program provides educational and career preparation services. Participants receive GED prep, paid internships, employability and life skills training and job placement.  Child care services are available for those who qualify as well as bus passes and gas cards.  You must complete an application at the Urban League of Broward County's Workforce Development office, 3521 W. Broward Blvd, Suite 201, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.  Click to download flyer.2

YouthBuild Broward! - YouthBuild Broward!, a youth empowerment and community rebuilding program serves youth ages 18-24, in one of three group: 1. adjudicated youth,  2. youth aging out of foster care, and 3. out of school youth.  Program participants will have the opportunity to gain construction skills, earn a GED, receive on the job training and valuable leadership and team building skills while they construct and/or rehabilitate affordable housing for very low, low income and homeless persons or families. Download success stories here.


WEALTH BUILDING PROGRAMS
Courtnee Biscardi, Program Manager, 954.625.2577

Family Success Center - This program is designed to assist residents with health, education, safety and welfare issues, as well as, provide training and employment opportunities.  (Se habla Español and Nou pale kreyol).

Project BRAIVE - FREE Information & Assistance For Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) or Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) Service Members and Their Dependents.  All OEF and OIF Service Members Pre- and Post Deployment from Iraq and Afghanistan and their dependents are eligible.  Family Services Include: Budgeting and Financial Literacy; Job Referral; Home-Buyer Education; Resume Writing; Bus Passes; Gas Cards; Mortgage Assistance; Rental Assistance; Career Assessment; Case Management Services ; Employability Skills; Foreclosure Prevention Assistance; Referrals to Community Agencies; Emergency Cash Assistance; Individual Development Accounts and Benefit Workshops.

Homeownership/Financial Literacy Workshops and Counseling - A significant component of a healthy neighborhood is the availability of quality affordable housing.  Financial literacy and home buying savvy are stressed to help families understand the importance of budgeting, money management, and wealth accumulation.  Participants are provided resources and assistance to help them become homeowners.  Workshops are held monthly on the second Saturday of the month.  Click here to register for an upcoming homeownership/financial literacy workshop.

Restore Our Homes - In April of 2009, the National Urban League selected the Urban League of Broward County, along with seven other Urban Leagues around the country, as a Gold Star Homeownership Center through their Restore Our Homes program. The program is a comprehensive community stabilization initiative built upon loss mitigation foreclosure prevention counseling for homeowners in jeopardy of losing their homes. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FLYER.
 

IDA Program - The Assets to Build Community (ABC) targets low income working individuals and families and uses Individual Development Account (IDA) to help each participant build the foundation for future wealth accumulation. Click here to download copies of the: IDA Program Eligibility Guidelines, IDA Intake Checklist, IDA Application or IDA program flyer.