Kevin Engdahl - VP of Enterprise, EMERGE
Guest Speaker
EMERGE is a community workforce development organization working in north and south Minneapolis. Kevin shared some highlights of the organization and how they work with people who are incarcerated before re-entry into society. They have a re-entry services road map, actively recruit and engage with people to offer services, and have several enterprises that help people get job skills. One interesting attribute is they hire people that may be considered "undesirable" and work to help them become employable. One of the most popular programs they have is teaching people how to be a commercial truck driver.MISSION :Our mission is to reveal the potential in people and communities through skill building, employment, and economic opportunity.
VISION: We envision a world where all people have the opportunity to emerge and thrive.
VALUES
- Community — We work in and are a part of the communities we serve.
- Equity — We embrace diversity and seek inclusiveness and fairness in all we do.
- Innovation — We deliver strategies that combine the best of community development with social innovation.
- Collaboration — We seek to amplify our impact through collective action.
- Responsiveness — We strive to be flexible and adaptive to changing needs while remaining urgent in our actions.
Enterprises:
Second Chance Recycling: Mattress recycling enterprise that employs 80 transitional employees per year who have barriers to employment.
Furnish Office and Home:Used and new office and home furnishings where customers can save up to 80% of list price.
Neilsen Metal: Provides trainee jobs in the high demand fields of manufacturing, welding, and machining.