American Jewish Life

Turnaround Tuesday, Interview 1

Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development (BUILD) is a broad-based, non-partisan, interfaith, multiracial community power organization rooted in Baltimore’s neighborhoods and congregations. Turnaround Tuesday is a jobs movement of the BUILD (Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development) Organization. Over the past five and a half years we have helped over 860 people get livable wage jobs, with a two year retention rate of 83%. Sixty-five percent of the people we serve are ex-offenders. The average hourly rate is $15. Several of our employed participants have now become homeowners. The Covid-19 Pandemic has drastically impacted the people that Turnaround Tuesday serves. Several people have been laid-off or furloughed from their jobs. This has caused a tremendous burden and financial hardship on families. The pandemic has also slowed the potential for employment opportunities for many of the people that we have prepared to go to work. The Turnaround Tuesday staff has remained employed and providing daily contact with our participants and preparing them for opportunities when the pandemic ends. The gaps that will be address with these funds include food and financial emergency support as well as additional Case Management services needed to help people understand and navigate these uncertain times. Many people are experiencing psychological issues and are having difficulties coping. Our Case Manager is a licensed Mental Health Therapist. Turnaround Tuesday had to cease our weekly job readiness sessions and revert to a weekly video session. The CSRC grant will be used to support BUILD’s Turnaround Tuesday Jobs Movement efforts to distribute food, soap, personal protective equipment (PPE) and laptop devices for remote job training during the pandemic.

"[00:02:37] Providing resources (tablets and PPE)
[00:09:46] The impact of moving work online
[00:11:28] Teaching clients tech skills
[00:13:48] Downside of social distancing
[00:15:50] Assessment of Baltimore's response to the pandemic
[00:19:28] Job insecurity shifts
[00:22:33] Coping with death/changes in religious rituals
[00:24:02] Educating community members
[00:25:07] Mental health needs
[00:26:26] Organizational needs assessment (PPE, Chromebooks, money for bills)

September 16, 2020

Kayla Wheeler

Melvin Wilson

Turnaround Tuesday

Maryland

Baltimore

oral history

Center for the Study of Religion and the City

job insecurity

re-entry

livable wages

internet access

food insecurity

struggles with social distancing