Lake Charles, Louisiana – The City of Lake Charles, in collaboration with the United Way of Southwest Louisiana and various community partners, is excited to announce the launch of the 2024 Community Connection Workshop Series. Following its successful debut in 2019 and return in 2023, this series aims to equip individuals with vital job and life skills essential for personal growth and success.

Mayor Nic Hunter expressed the city’s commitment to providing accessible information on key topics such as job readiness, career advancement, financial literacy, and homeownership through the Community Connection workshops. The sessions are designed to offer practical guidance and support to empower participants on their journey towards achieving their personal and professional goals.

Beginning on Tuesday, April 30, the workshops will be held from 6-7 p.m. at the Bellard Recreation Center, situated in Hillcrest Park at 2808 Hillcrest Dr. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a raffle with a chance to win a brand-new laptop computer, adding an exciting incentive to the already enriching program.

Denise Durel, President and CEO of the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, underscored the importance of life skills in fostering success within the community. By providing accessible resources and fostering a culture of learning, the initiative aims to equip individuals with the necessary tools to thrive, grow, and realize their aspirations.

The workshop series features a lineup of engaging sessions tailored to address different facets of personal and professional development. Topics include “Career Advancement,” “Your Pathway to Financial Freedom: Mastering Credit,” “Honey I’m Home! Overcome the Fears of Becoming a Homeowner,” and “Destination Employment,” each presented by experts in their respective fields.

Schedule:

• Tuesday, April 30, 2024: “Career Advancement” 5 Steps to Finding Your Career. (Presented by Tommeka Simien, Executive Director, Literacy Council of SWLA).
• Tuesday, May 7, 2024: “Your Pathway to Financial Freedom: Mastering Credit!” (Presented by Alexius Williams, Vice President Community Manager, Chase Bank).
• Tuesday, May 14, 2024: “Honey I’m Home!” Overcome the Fears of Becoming a Homeowner. (Presented by Charla Blake, Executive Director, Project Build A Future).
• Tuesday, May 21, 2024: “Destination Employment” Unveiling Training and Employment Opportunities. (Presented by Nypheteria Clophus, Region V One Stop Operator Manager).

Partners supporting the Community Connection initiative include JP Morgan Chase, Project Build A Future, American Job Center, the Literacy Council of Southwest Louisiana, Inc., and the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury. Alexius Williams, VP Community Manager for JP Morgan Chase Bank, expressed enthusiasm for the program, highlighting Chase’s commitment to promoting economic inclusion and enhancing financial well-being within the Lake Charles community.

For more information and a detailed schedule of the workshops, visit the official website at www.cityoflakecharles.com/communityconnection. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and skills that can propel you towards personal and professional success.