STRIVE NY Receives $250K Grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation to Begin a New Retail Sales Core Training Program

STRIVE NY, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence among unemployed, chronically underemployed and low income people, announced today a $250,000 grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation for the Wal-Mart/STRIVE Retail Sales Core Training Program (RSCP). Under the agreement, STRIVE will train unemployed individuals for well-paying entry-level retail positions in New York City during the holiday sales season, and link the participants to potential long-term job openings.

"STRIVE is excited to initiate this program with the support of the Wal-Mart Foundation," stated Michael Smirlock, Executive Director of STRIVE. "The grant serves two purposes; it demonstrates and reinforces the need for workforce development programs, and also addresses an immediate need for a pool of trained retail workers to fill an approximate 20,000 holiday positions."

"During the holiday season and all year long, Wal-Mart and its Foundation acknowledge the vital need for workforce development programs. We believe that STRIVE has a proven success record in this area, which makes us proud to support their Retail Sales Core Training Program," said Margaret McKenna, President of the Wal-Mart Foundation.

The four-week program will take place just prior to the holiday hiring surge, providing training in oral and behavioral communication skills, professional development, resume writing and interview preparation. In addition to the training program, STRIVE is pursuing commitments from employers for at least 100 interviews per training class. At present, interviews with select local branches of Victoria's Secret, Bloomingdale's and Banana Republic are guaranteed. Graduates will be continually evaluated for two years as to employment, wage and career growth.

About STRIVE

STRIVE is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty and dependence among unemployed, chronically underemployed and low income people by helping them acquire the personal and professional skills needed to gain and maintain living wage employment. STRIVE provides professional training and support services to individuals in the "hardest to serve" communities. The organization's clients often face multiple barriers to employment and come with little or no connection to the workplace. STRIVE programs teach -- free of charge -- the skills demanded by employers and required for success in the job market.