DurhamCares

2012 Total Operating Budget: $305,000

Q1 Results:

DERC has provided services to 1,548 individuals and organizations in the first quarter.

DERC placed 85% of graduates into employment or continuing education during the first quarter.

What

Durham Economic Resource Center (DERC) addresses adult poverty in Durham County by distributing low-cost merchandise to non-profit agencies and faith-based organizations, providing on-the-job training to the unemployed and those who are hard to employ, and serving as an organizer and change agent to help address the root causes of poverty.

Why

Durham Economic Resource Center started as an initiative of a group of faith and community-based leaders as well as government representatives who felt the issue of poverty in Durham could be eliminated through employment opportunities that lead to a livable wage. The organization has evolved from one where on the job training resided primarily in blue collar fields to one that is seeking to provide training and access to employment beyond the traditional opportunities for people with barriers to employment as well as training and access to employment in green collar jobs (i.e. green and sustainable technologies like weatherization, green construction, Brownfield clean up and hazardous waste management).

Resource Program: DERC provides discounted products to member non-profit and faith-based organizations to alleviate basic needs among the poor, ill, and elderly, by using products from the International Gifts In Kind Program and Dignity U Wear. DERC strives to offer products to the community so that residents are able to meet their basic needs.

Community Resource and Action Program: DERC builds and develops strategic partnerships among Faith Based Organizations (FBO’S); Community Based Organizations (CBO’S), government, local businesses, and private organizations, as well as the community at large to help address the root causes of poverty. DERC promotes strategies that are both community-based as well as need-based (for specific populations such as former felons). Some of DERC’s key partnerships and collaborations include the Homelessness Connection (focus area - homelessness); Healing with CAARE (focus area - health and mental health, substance abuse counseling, veterans’ affairs); Triangle Benefits Bank (focus area - employment support services); Criminal Justice Resource Center (focus area - ex-offender rehabilitation); Department of Social Service (focus area - families, women and children in need) and the Black, Brown, Green Alliance (focus area - just green economy).

Workforce Training and Development: Surplus merchandise is used to establish a simulated-workplace which functions as a product distribution warehouse and worksite where chronically unemployed and “hard-to-employ” individuals receive supervised on-the-job training, support services and follow-up. Specific components of the training program are designed based on workforce needs of the Durham business community, and on the assets and challenges of the targeted training population needing employment. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010, DERC, through a grant from the Golden LEAF Foundation, began providing green literacy and orientation to careers in green and sustainable technologies.

Jackie Brown

CEO

Jackie Brown, a North Carolina native, received both a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s of Business Administration from Duke University. She has extensive experience in business management and consulting, with both corporate and non-profit organizations. She recently taught business classes at both NCCU and Durham Technical Community College. Ms. Brown is an experienced fundraiser having raised more than $500,000 for organizations by securing grants, contracts and event sponsorships. In her position as CEO, Ms. Brown oversees the activities of the organization and provides leadership and direction in the achievement of the organization’s goals and objectives.

Fred Stoppelkamp

Training Coordinator and Distribution Center Manager

Fred Stoppelkamp came to DERC through the City of Durham’s Workforce Investment Act Work Experience Program. After five months, Fred was hired to be the organization’s Training Coordinator and Distribution Center Manager. In his position, Fred is the liaison between trainees, staff, member organizations and partner agencies such as Durham Technical Community College Human Resource Development Instructors and contract instructors. With his Bachelor of Science degree in Social Science from Campbell University, Fred also brings to his position almost 10 years of leadership in varying roles as a volunteer, skilled carpenter and instructor, entrepreneur and little league coach.

Drew Doll- Staff Accountant

Carol Bailey- Job Developer/Alumni Relations Coordinator

DERC_2011_Final Report.pdf