Free job readiness & money management classes for low income women

If you or someone you know is a woman with an income below $18,400 a year, we want you to know that Jubilee Women’s Center is offering 2 free courses for income-qualified women who are looking to develop skills in technology, communications, health, money management, and job readiness. 

Be Awesome At Work is a 4 week interactive workshop that provides a framework to bring your true (awesome) self to work every time you show up. Whether you are working now or planning to go back to work, this class is for you! Tuesdays, February 4th, 11th, 25th, and March 4th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm  

Money Management is a six week class to learn to develop a spending plan, create & prioritize your financial goals and be a Smart Consumer. Wednesdays, February 12th, 19th, 26th, March 5th, 12th, and 19th from 6:00pm—8:00 p.m.

All courses will be held in JubileeWomen’s Education Center at 620 18th Ave E, Seattle 98112. If it is your first time coming to Jubilee, plan on arriving at least 20 minutes before the start of the first class to fill out a registration form and see the classroom space.

To Register Contact: Emerald at classes@jwcenter.org.

Job Opportunities this week

This message is about a number of upcoming hiring events, job openings, and employment training opportunities. 

The Greater Seattle Career Fair is this Thursday, January 30, from 11am – 2pm at The Seattle Pavilion - Next to Key Arena at 2nd Ave. N& Thomas St. in Seattle. Meet Face to Face with the Hiring Managers from some of the best employers in the greater Seattle area. Free Admission, hundreds of jobs, in most job categories. The recruiters at this event have many job titles they need to fill. For a list of job titles, maps and a line pass, go to ChoiceCareerFairs.com.

Lowe’s is holding a hiring event for a variety of part-time and full-time jobs.  Positions include: customer service attendants, cashiers, warehouse/merchandising workers, and sales associates.  They are seeking candidates with an interest and ability to provide excellent customer service. They provide entry level positions with training available. This event is being held at the Mountlake Terrace WorkSource on Friday, January 31 from 11am – 2pm.  The address is 6405 218th St SW, Suite 100, Mountlake Terrace, 98043. Register online here.

Republic Parking is hiring for a number of positions throughout Seattle.  Positions include: shuttle driver, manager in training, maintenance worker, valet driver, notice department, monitoring attendant, administrative assistant, lot checker, and cashier attendant. To apply, visit rpnw.com/careers and fill out the online application.

Era Living is hiring for a number of positions in their eight retirement communities throughout the Seattle area.  Positions include cooks, dishwashers, food servers, maintenance technicians, receptionists, and recreation assistants.  To apply, visit eraliving.com/about/careers.  The phone number for Era Living is (206) 681-9225.

WorkSource is holding a workshop on resume and cover letter writing. At the end of the class, you will be prepared to write your own cover letter and resume with confidence. It will be held on Friday, January 31 from 10am – 12:30pm at WorkSource in downtown Seattle located at 2024 3rd Avenue, Seattle 98121.  The phone number for this location is (206) 436-8600. 

WorkSource will also be holding a workshop on Interview Techniques.  You will have a chance to prepare for your job interview by practicing with an expert one-on-one. You’ll learn questions you’re likely to be asked, worst things to say in an interview, and what questions you can--and should--ask an employer. A resume is required to attend.  This will be held on Tuesday, February 4^th from 9am-12pm at the WorkSource Rainier location. The address is 2531 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle, 98144.  The phone number for this location is (206) 436-8600.

Not interested in any of these job opportunities, but looking for a job? Check out our sources for many more job opportunities:

Mayors Office for Senior Citizens Job List (1/23/14)
WorkSource Job Fair & Hiring Event Calendar 

Free Rent Smart Tenant Rights Workshop 1/30 CANCELLED

THIS CLASS HAS BEEN CANCELLED

Want to know more about your rights as a renter? Wondering how to get your deposit back or request a repair? Would you like to know how the new changes in the laws impact renters? Solid Ground Tenant Counselors are hosting a FREE Rent Smart Workshop for the community next Thursday, January 30th, 4:30-6:30pm, at Solid Ground.

At this tenant’s rights workshop, they will provide information about the landlord-tenant laws in Washington State and discuss the laws and ordinances that apply throughout the housing search process, move-in, during tenancy, move-out and eviction. Bring your questions!

Since there is no agency that enforces the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act in our state, it is largely up to tenants to understand the laws and know their rights in order to take appropriate action to effectively enforce them. They will talk about some tips and best practices for renters to help you assert your rights and have a successful tenancy – whether you are signing a rental agreement, requesting repairs or have questions about your privacy rights.

Especially with recent changes and additions to the laws, challenging situations can arise for tenants. There are remedies available to tenants if a landlord is not complying with the laws, but tenants have to know those remedies are available in order to use them. Knowing the laws and what steps to take, tenants can take action to correct the problem.

If you would to attend the workshop, please RSVP to the Solid Ground Tenant Services Workshop & Advocacy Line at 206.694.6748 or email tenantwa@solid-ground.org.

Free Rent Smart Workshop
Thursday, January 30th
4:30- 6:30 pm
Solid Ground

1501 N 45^th St

Seattle, WA 98103 

in the same building as Wallingford Branch of the Seattle Public Library.

Free parking available behind the building. Accessible by bus routes 16 and 44.

For more information, visit the website www.solid-ground.org/Tenant or call the Tenant Services Hotline 206.694.6767.

Job Opportunities: hiring events, job openings, employment workshop

This message is about a number of upcoming job openings, hiring events and employment training opportunities that we thought ConnectUp subscribers might be interested in. We plan on sending out an employment message like this every week from now on.

Home Depot is hiring for multiple part-time seasonal retail positions and permanent part-time cashier positions.  The positions include cashier, sales associate, lot associate, and freight team.  They are having a hiring event on January 29^th from 1pm-3pm at WorkSource Auburn.  The address is 2707 I Street NE, Auburn, 98002.  All candidates must reserve a seat to this hiring event by contacting lcorwin@esd.wa.gov. 

First Student who is looking to fill multiple part-time school bus driver positions in the Greater Seattle area.  No Commercial Driver’s License experience in necessary; however, related driving experience would be helpful.  These are entry level positions and the employer will train qualified candidates.  They are having a hiring event on January 30^th from 10:30am- 1pm at WorkSource Rainier.  The address is 2531 Rainier Avenue South, Seattle, 98114. On the event date, please bring a copy of your resume and ID.  The email contact for this event is lcorwin@esd.wa.gov.  For detailed information, referral and special instructions, please contact your nearest WorkSource office in person.

Allegiance Staffing is hiring drivers to move/drive new cars in a parking lot in Kent. This is a weekly ongoing part time job. The pay is $10 per hour. They are also seeking Route Based Drivers in the SeaTac area who are needed to drive everything from a 28ft box truck to a tractor trailer. If interested email tukwila@allegiancestaffing.com. Phone number: 253-854-7000 Afterhours: 253-682-8221. Drug Test and/or Background check needed - which may involve a fee.

Safeway has a need for Daytime Courtesy Clerks, Cashiers, and Night Crew. Interested applicants can apply at www.safeway.com/careers. The submitted application is sent immediately to the stores for review by the in-store hiring representative on a regular basis.

Republic Parking is hiring for a number of positions including Maintenance, Valet Driver, Notice Department, Monitoring Attendant, Admin Assistant, Lot Checker and Cashier/Attendants. To apply to all positions, visit www.rpnw.com/careers.

The Marriot- Ritz Carlton is looking for banquet servers and cashiers.  To apply to all positions, visit jobs.marriott.com/.

WorkSource is holding a Skills and Abilities Analysis workshop.  Today’s economy requires workers who cantransfer skills from one work setting to another and who have the kinds ofpersonal qualities that make organizations successful. In this workshop, you will learn to identify, demonstrate and package, with confidence, your skills and personal qualities in ways that will be meaningful to employers. You also will learn oral communication skills and practice delivering a 60-Second Commercial - a brief, high-impact presentation to potential employers.  This workshop will be held on Monday, Jan. 27, from 1:30 – 4:30pm WorkSource Rainier located at 2531 Rainier Ave. S, Seattle, WA 98144. The phone number for this location is (206) 721-6000.

Not interested in any of these job opportunities, but looking for a job? Check out our sources for many more job opportunities:

Mayors Office for Senior Citizens Job List (1/23/14)

WorkSource Job Fair & Hiring Event Calendar

Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day 1/28

Each year, the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance organizes one of the largest Advocacy Days during the legislative session, Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day. On January 28, you have an opportunity to join with Solid Ground participating in this very important day of action! 

Fair housing is an issue for all that we must unite on to tell our elected officials that everyone has the right and must be given the opportunity to live in a safe, healthy, and affordable home. If you are ready to take fighting homelessness to the next level, Solid Ground is inviting you to share your personal story or speak for others in our trip to Olympia!

To register, please go to the website tinyurl.com/hhadreg. Note that you will have to register using a home address so that you may be assigned to the designated legislative representative appointed to your district. If you do not have access to the internet, please call the tenant services advocacy line 206-694-6748 so they can assist you in registration.  After you have finished your registration and would like to travel with Solid Ground, please RSVP with Liszet Chavez-Avila at liszetc@solid-ground.org or call 206-694-6748 to count you in the group.

We will be providing transportation in a Solid Ground Transportation van for anyone interested in attending. Due to timing and traffic, we will be meeting at Sold Ground (1501 N 45th St, Seattle) starting at 7:30am to help get a final count and accommodate everyone on our bus. Note that transportation is limited and advance registration is required.

A light breakfast will be provided.  We will be leaving the agency no later than 8am to arrive in time for the first event of the agenda. You are more than welcome to attend any of the Advocacy Workshops of your choice available in the morning. Lunch will be provided and we will be rallying as an agency to the Capital Steps.

 You will then meet with your legislators where you will be given the chance to speak on your behalf or speak for the cause. If you wish to have your case manager with you for assistance, please let them know beforehand. 

 After all are done speaking, we will be grouping back together at a designated area and drive back together to be at the agency by 5pm. Approximate time might differ due to traffic, please keep in mind when arranging childcare. The 44 and 16 Metro bus lines both go directly to Solid Ground's headquarters building.

Thank you for participating with Solid Ground in Housing and Homelessness Advocacy Day!

Free tax preparation available now through 4/15

Hi, we want to tell you how you can get your income tax return prepared and filed for free at any one of 19 United Way of King County sponsored tax sites throughout King County from now through April 15th.  

In addition to getting help filing your taxes, you may be eligible to receive a refund from the Earned Income Tax Credit, a refundable tax credit for working people with low and moderate incomes. This year, the maximum EITC credit you can receive as a single adult with no dependents is $496, or $3,305 with one qualifying child, $5,460 with two qualifying children and up to $6,143 with three or more qualifying children. 

The free tax preparation service will be provided by IRS trained multilingual volunteers, and electronically filed for a fast refund.  Free tax preparation is available to households who make less than $52,000 and need basic individual tax returns. Free tax prep allows low-income people to keep more of their hard-earned money and avoid paying unnecessary fees for commercial tax preparation and "rapid refund" loans. 

Multilingual tax preparers are available at several sites to serve customers who do not speak English. You don’t need an appointment!  Sites operate on a drop-in basis and no appointments are set. Many sites get very crowded, especially during January and April so you should arrive as close to the site’s opening time as possible for the best chance of getting served. People who arrive later may not be able to see a volunteer.

You must bring the following items:
• Your Social Security card or ITIN for you and anyone else on your tax return. No exceptions can be made
• Your photo ID (and your spouse’s photo ID if filing jointly) 
• All tax documents and paperwork needed to complete your tax return such as W-2 form, 1099 form, Social Security income form, etc.

You may also need to bring:
• Child care provider information 
• A record of higher education expenses

You also might want to bring:
• Bank account number and routing number if you’d like to set up direct deposit for your tax return 
• A copy of last year’s tax return to speed up your filing process

The locations and hours are on the second page of the flyer below, or click here to find free tax prep sites and times near you. Or dial 2-1-1 from any phone in King County (this is a free call, even from payphones) or 800-621-4636.  Tell the 2-1-1 operator that you want information about free tax preparation services. Or TEXT the word TAX and your 5-digit ZIP CODE to 313131 or e-mail EITC@uwkc.org or go visit uwkc.org/taxhelp.

Poverty Action on the Capitol Day (MLK Day) 1/20/14

 Hi I‘m calling to encourage you to take action to end poverty this Martin Luther King Day! Come to Olympia with the Statewide Poverty Action Network on Monday January 20^th for their “Poverty Action on the Capitol” Day.

In just a week and a half, a free bus will leave Seattle from Solid Ground (at 1501 N 45th St. in Wallingford) at 7:00 am on Monday, Jan. 20. The bus will return around 5:00 pm the same day. You must sign up for the bus in advance by calling Poverty Action at 206-694-6794—Ask for Emiko, or signup online at povertyaction.org/lobbyday. 

Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Children are welcome. Come to learn about policies that affect low-income people, network with people from across the region and share your story with lawmakers.

We hope you will turn out on January 20^th to call upon the state legislature and the Governor to make ending poverty a priority. For more information call Poverty Action at 206-694-6794 or email mlkday@povertyaction.org.