Content categorized as Jobs

Amid Congressional gridlock, pressure mounts on DC to apply for $300 weekly federal unemployment benefits

Without a new national relief bill in sight, the Department of Employment Services says it continues to review the $300 per week unemployment benefits being offered by the Trump administration. And with thousands of District residents behind on rent and facing food insecurity, there are growing calls for D.C. to apply.

A mess and a blessing

A poem by Queenie Featherstone.

Protesters call for Anita Bonds to cancel rent and defund MPD

Organizers and D.C. residents made noise outside At-Large Councilmember Anita Bonds’s house and gave speeches about the need for rent cancellation for D.C. residents.

Homeless service providers receive millions in PPP loans

At least 14 homeless service providers received loans from the federal program for small businesses, which went towards covering payroll costs to retain employees and maintain critical services for the District’s most vulnerable residents.

Stay safe

Artist and vendor Mary Sellman comments on the effects of the public health crisis.

The topic of the story: I’m Still Strong

Artist and vendor Gerald Anderson shares his experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic thus far.

The risks of a remote workforce

Brian Carome discusses the different effects of prematurely switching to a completely remote workplace can have.

People need help

Vendor Melody Byrd writes about what she believes needs to be done to support the community.

The CARES Act expiration may leave millions without support

Congress’ emergency federal aid expansion is set to expire at the end of July, cutting millions of Americans who became unemployed during the Covid-19 pandemic from vital support. Experts advise that the aid package be extended to return poverty rates to pre-crisis levels.

Getting into the Gold

Artist and vendor Marcellus Phillips shares his experience with Bitcoin.

Housing activists hand-deliver 2020 budget priorities to Wilson Building and Bowser Administration

Local housing activists visited the Wilson Building to deliver budget priorities to their councilmembers.

Moving Up: What we can learn from the Nationals

Arthur Johnson applies lessons from baseball to the world of employment and business.

The pitch

No, I’m not talking about baseball. Your sales pitch could be lame, so-so, great or magical.   I put a lot of thought into my pitches…. Read more »

The coming storm for D.C.’s citizens with disabilities

“One of the most important decisions on the DC Council’s plate this fall is to pass the Direct Support Professional Payment Rate Act of 2019, initiated by Councilmember Brianne Nadeau.”

What’s next for the city’s plan to end homelessness?

The next phase of the mayor’s plan to make homelessness “rare, brief, and non-recurring” is in the early stages of planning and will be released next year.

Finding gainful employment remains a large hurdle for homeless DC residents. A new Georgetown cafe aims to help overcome it.

Spero Ministries, a new initiative through Veritas City Church, will provide D.C. residents with job training and temporary employment.

This bill would increase pay for more than 4,000 professionals who assist people with disabilities

The Direct Support Professional Payment Rate Act of 2019 is under review by D.C. Council. The legislation would increase wages for direct support professionals, a workforce that has seen high turnover due to pay in recent years.

Marijuana is legal, but returning citizens from the criminal justice system are still facing consequences for using it

The fissure between DC marijuana law and workplace drug testing policies adds a new barrier for returning citizens from the criminal justice system.

I love my customers

Artist/Vendor Ronald Smoot shares his thanks for his customers.

DC residents discuss the information gap caused by inconsistent and discriminatory marijuana policy

The District’s inconsistent marijuana laws target low-income residents and can have unanticipated consequences for employment.