Latest news with #JHA
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JARI program grads laud workforce offering
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – When Robin Wright signed up for the first cohort of the Johnstown Housing Authority's workforce readiness program, she saw an opportunity to be lifted up not only for herself but for her daughter as well, she said. Now, Wright is set to graduate from the Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center auto-technology program, and Sha'Nya Henry, her daughter, is wrapping up her credits at Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and was accepted to Drexel University for the upcoming fall term. 'This is a great program,' Wright said. 'I suggest everybody who can get into it, get into it.' She and Henry credit the offering for giving them the boost they needed to better their lives. Prior to participating last year, Wright was unemployed, and Henry had just moved back to the area after caring for her ailing father in Virginia. Wright was worried about her daughter, she said, and prodded her to join the workforce readiness program, which both agreed was a good choice. They also noted that participating in the first cohort of the program brought them closer together. 'I loved getting to do this with my daughter,' Wright said. Henry, 20, agreed, adding that they pushed each other during the multi-month classes and held each other accountable. 'Teamwork makes the dream work,' Wright said. The workforce readiness program started last year and is paid for with a federal appropriation of $250,000. JHA provides the opportunity through a partnership with Johnstown Area Regional Industries, Pennsylvania Highlands Community College and PA CareerLink. Those residing in JHA locations, such as Wright and Henry in the Oakhurst neighborhood, can sign up for the classes that focus on a variety of subjects, such as resume building, mock interviews, communication skills and digital literacy. Bus passes and child care are provided as well. Dave Grimaldi, JARI director of workforce development, said the program gives area residents that 'little push' they need to better themselves, and those involved are glad to lend a hand. 'We'll work with everybody in our JHA program and get them what they want,' he said. For Wright, that was leveraging the program for assistance through the JARI Neighborhood Assistance Program she used for tuition at GJCTC and in Henry's case, it was help getting into Penn Highlands. Henry can now continue her studies at Drexel, where she'll major in English with a focus on creative writing, and Wright can pursue her dream of owning her own auto body shop. Wright and Henry 'are just two great success stories of our program,' Grimaldi said. Cambria County Commissioner Thomas Chernisky said he was so impressed by the story about the mother and daughter team that he had to meet them. He did so Tuesday at a JARI event. He said he was inspired by the results of the JARI program and how it lifts up those involved. Chernisky congratulated Wright and Henry for their success, lauded their dedication and wished them well in future pursuits. The third cohort from the workforce readiness program is set to graduate in June with the fourth starting in September. Between those events, Grimaldi said JARI is planning mini-career fairs, workforce trainings and related offerings. For more information, visit Joshua Byers is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. Follow him on Twitter @Journo_Josh.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SOURCES: Another Major Shake-Up at Jacksonville Housing Authority: Top leaders out
The leadership turmoil at the Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) continues. Multiple sources confirmed to Action News Jax Ben Becker that two high-ranking officials are no longer with the agency - a development a JHA spokesperson declined to confirm. Chief Operating Officer Victor Figueroa and longtime IT Director Evann Morris are out, sources say. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] According to Figueroa's LinkedIn profile, he had only been with the agency for about nine months. Morris, meanwhile, had served JHA for 17 years. In the wake of their departures, former interim CEO Roslyn Phillips is stepping back into a leadership role, this time as the agency's interim COO. This change comes just weeks after Cheron Corbett Waller took over as the agency's new CEO. She is the fourth person to hold the position since 2023, a period marked by instability and controversy at JHA. Related: Jacksonville Housing Authority acting CEO Vanessa Dunn resigning Related: Housing Authority CEO blames Mayor's office for 'pushing me out' amid HUD audit, new IG probe Since early last year, the agency has seen the arrest of a former Chief Financial Officer, the resignation of multiple board members, and several investigations by Jacksonville's Office of Inspector General including the misuse of $2 million in utility cards. In a statement, the Jacksonville Housing Authority said: 'In an effort to improve the performance of JHA, the agency will be making needed changes to our procedures, processes, and personnel. That includes making sure we have the right staff in the right positions to ensure that we are using the federal funds we receive to fulfill the mission of expanding access to affordable housing in Jacksonville in the most cost-effective manner. We will not comment on specific personnel issues.' As of now, the agency has not publicly confirmed the departures of Figueroa or Morris or Phillips current job title via a phone call, text message or written public records request to a spokesperson. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
JHA: Prospect Homes rehabilitation project down to 'small' details, new Section 8 vouchers issued
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – All major construction is complete on the Prospect Homes rehabilitation project. The Johnstown Housing Authority-owned public housing units were repaired and upgraded after substantial deficiencies were discovered, particularly ceilings that were in danger of collapsing, requiring all tenants to vacate the units in the spring of 2023. 'While it's essentially complete, all three contractors are still working up there, finishing up small punch-list items,' JHA Executive Director Mike Alberts said Tuesday during the board's regular monthly meeting. 'This could be things like 'Hey, you missed a second coat of paint on this wall' or 'Hey, this electrical outlet isn't working,' small items like that.' Along with the remaining small-detail construction items, JHA workers are taking care of other final matters, such as installing appliances. 'Before they're 'ready ready' we still have some more work to do,' Alberts said. Right now, JHA is focusing on finishing apartments of former Prospect residents who have expressed a desire to return to the community. Up to 20 families have already returned to the public housing complex as apartments have passed inspection. Vouchers issued JHA issued 17 new Section 8 rental assistance vouchers in March. 'Those were the first vouchers that have been issued in the Section 8 program in about a year,' Alberts said. 'We felt we were comfortable enough with the (federal) HAP (Housing Assistance Payments) funding where we think we could put more vouchers on the streets and not feel too far upside down.' There are 960 Section 8 vouchers allotted to JHA with 769 in use.
Ammon
24-03-2025
- Ammon
Occupancy rates of Dead Sea and Amman hotels at 32%
Ammon News - Statistics from the Jordan Hotel Association (JHA) revealed occupancy rates in hotels across the Kingdom during the Eid al-Fitr holiday, which declined compared to previous years. 5-star hotel reservations in Amman during the Eid al-Fitr holiday reached 32% of capacity, 32% at the Dead Sea, and 24% in Petra, according to figures reviewed by Ammon. 4-star hotel reservations in Amman reached 32%, 25% at the Dead Sea, and 14% in Petra.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Summit to discuss ways to boost tourism in Jersey
Jersey's tourism industry will be the focus of a summit next leaders and politicians will discuss ways to increase the amount of money the sector contributes to the island's event will feature speakers from the tourism, travel and virtual economy industries, together with addresses from the chief minister and minister for sustainable economic day-long event, organised by the Jersey Hospitality Association (JHA), will take place on Wednesday at the Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel in St Helier. The JHA said the day would feature a discussion about whether the Visitor Economy Strategy is moving forward and whether the Future Economy Programme is leading the island in the right event will also host speakers with expertise in global business development, European tourism, virtual economics and tourism chief executives Ana and Marcus Calvani said: "This will be all about where the future opportunities of Jersey's visitor economy can come from to benefit all of us, whether it's to visit your local pub or restaurant or to bring in visitors from around the world."Visit Jersey released new figures recently that showed there were 568,000 tourists last year - 40,000 more than in from the UK contributed about 70% of visits in 2024, while 17% came from France and 3% from Germany, according to the data.
