Sw Louisiana News

The City of Lake Charles, in collaboration with the United Way of Southwest Louisiana and various community partners, has unveiled the 2024 Community Connection Workshop Series. The initiative, which first launched in 2019 and returned successfully in 2023, aims to provide essential information on job readiness, career advancement, financial literacy, and homeownership.

Mayor Nic Hunter expressed the city's commitment to inclusivity, stating, “We want to ensure that everyone has access to important job and life skill information.” The workshops, set to kick off on Tuesday, April 30 at the Bellard Recreation Center, will cover a range of topics crucial for personal and professional development.

Denise Durel, President and CEO of the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, emphasized the significance of life skills for success, noting, "By providing accessible learning resources, we can equip our community with the tools they need to thrive, grow, and achieve their goals."

The schedule for the workshop series includes sessions such as "Career Advancement," "Your Pathway to Financial Freedom," "Honey I’m Home!," and "Destination Employment." Each workshop will feature expert speakers from organizations like the Literacy Council of SWLA, Chase Bank, Project Build A Future, and Region V One Stop Operator.

Alexius Williams, VP Community Manager for JP Morgan Chase Bank, highlighted the institution's enthusiasm for participating in the initiative. "Chase is thrilled to be a part of the Community Connection initiative. Chase thrives on driving economic inclusion by providing more opportunities for homeownership, growing small business and boosting financial health for those in our community," Williams stated.

The Community Connection Workshop Series is a collaborative effort involving JP Morgan Chase, Project Build a Future, American Job Center, United Way of Southwest Louisiana, the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. The workshops aim to empower individuals with practical knowledge and skills essential for personal and professional growth.