Center for Empowerment and Employment Training (CEET)

“Providing a helping hand up the ladder to a better future for people who need it”

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

CEET’s mission is to educate and empower low-income and disadvantaged residents of the DC Metropolitan area (Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia), by providing training that will enable them to meet their basic human needs, and give them the confidence necessary to compete in the workforce.

The Center for Empowerment and Employment Training (CEET) is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that was created to provide educational and job training services to low income and disadvantaged adults of the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

CEET was founded in 1999 on the principle that low-income individuals, regardless of their background, can improve their lives with adequate opportunities and support.  An important feature of CEET’s program is its emphasis on personal responsibility.  It believes that urging people to take responsibility for their decisions in life challenges them to look within themselves for answers to their problems. The development of a sense of personal responsibility leads to self-empowerment and the ability to direct one’s life through individual choices on a daily basis.

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY

The Center for Empowerment and Employment Training admits students of any race, color, age, national and ethnic origin, marital status, gender, or religion and extends to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.  It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, marital status, gender, or religion in the administration of its admission and educational policies.

CEET’S TRAINING PROGRAM

Since 1999, CEET has conducted an educational program to assist individuals obtain their GED credential, improve their basic reading and mathematics skills, achieve computer literacy, and other skills.  Classes are offered on a semester basis (fall, spring, summer) and include:

Fall/Spring Semesters:

• GED Preparation (Reading, Mathematics/Algebra, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Science),
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL),
• Computer training (Preparation for A+ Certification, Networking, Basic Computers, Microsoft Office Suite: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint),
• Customer Service and Sales,
• Bookkeeping and Accounting,
• Communication classes (Public Speaking, Business Writing, English Grammar) and,
• Entrepreneurial Development training.

Summer Semester:

• Computer training, work readiness, and job search assistance (free computer classes including Basic Windows, Introduction to Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel, and Work Readiness classes-Interviewing Techniques, Completing Applications, Developing Resumes, Communication Skills, Building Self-Esteem, Job Retention Strategies, and so forth).

PARTNERS

In pursuit of its mission and work, CEET has collaborated with many other community-based organizations and entities in the District of Columbia to assist its participants, including:

• United Planning Organization (UPO),
• District Department of Transportation (DDOT),
• Department of Employment Services
• Department of Human Services Income Maintenance Administration,
• CSOSA-District Court Services,
• Open Doors (shelter for women),
• Goodwill of Greater Washington
• Institute for Educational Leadership,
• Howard University,
• Ward 8 Tennis Council,
• NAI Personnel, Inc.,
• Mothers Management Group,
• EFFORTS (a program for ex-offenders),
• Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia,
• Washington Middle School for Girls,
• the CATAADA House (substance abuse aftercare program), the
• Coalition for the Homeless-Emory House, and
• Heaven’s Grocery Store.

SUPPORTERS

Besides the financial support from many of our noted partners and collaborators, CEET receives donations and in-kind contributions from many organizations and individuals to help meet its modest expenses.  Every contribution helps us meet the needs of some of the most underserved individuals in our community. 

We owe a special debt of gratitude to the Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church which has provided the nurturing support CEET has needed to establish itself, and served as a partner in the Jobs Bank that we continue to operate for low- and middle-income members of the community. 

Organizations:

Casey Charitable Matching Program (General Operating)

Gifts In-Kind International (Computers)

Institute for Educational Leadership, Inc. (Cash, computers, manuals, computer table)

Leon Foundation (General Operating)

Office Catering (food/refreshments)

Office of the Secretary, DC Government (General Operating)

WalMart Foundation (Adult Literacy Grant)

Vanguard Charitable Endowment Fund (General Operating)

Venable Foundation (General Operating)

Individuals

Marty Blank, Washington, DC

Doug Brattebo, Annapolis, MD

Shirley Bryant, Beltsville, MD

Sheila Burr, Washington, DC

James Calvin, Columbia, MD

Linda Chambers, Laurel, MD

Louise Clarke, Washington, DC

Sharon Davis, MD

Sharon Durham, MD

Ann Marie Gibb, Gaithersburg , MD

Carol Hafford, St. Mary’s County, MD

Betty Hale, Washington, DC

Janice Hamilton-Outtz, Upper Marlboro, MD

Jennifer Hance, Cambridge, MA

Stella Hodge, Washington, DC

Faye Howard, Bowie, MD

Shawn Ifill, Wheaton, MD

Benjamin Johnson, Beltsville, MD

Margie Joyner, Silver Spring, MD

Barbara Kaufmann, Silver Spring, MD

Meagan Lindsay, Fredericksburg, VA

Angela Mackey, Washington, DC

Vivian Mackey, Washington, DC

Marquesha L. Massey, Washington, DC

Barbara McCloud, Washington, DC

Janie McGrew, St. Petersburg, FL

Linda Moore, Washington, DC

Anita Obarakpor, Silver Spring, MD

Jarvis Obarakpor, Silver Spring, MD

Trevor Obarakpor, Silver Spring, MD

Maurice Pitt, Silver Spring, MD

Karabelle Pizzigatti, Silver Spring, MD

Mary Podmostko, Fernandina Beach, FL

Veronica Reed, Houston, TX

Barbara Reynolds, MD

Kwesi Rollins, Washington, DC

Jane Sharpe, Takoma Park, MD

Vincent Slatt, Washington, DC

Denise Slaughter, Washington, DC

Jeffrey Smith, Alexandria, VA

Betty Sumner, Brooksville, MD

Nicole Suozzi, Princeton, NJ

Ellen Tappien, Hyattsville, MD

Michele Tingling-Clemmons, Washington, DC

Michael Usdan, Washington, DC

Joan Wills, Washington, DC

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Since its establishment, CEET’s management team and well-qualified teachers have provided classroom training to approximately 800 low- to moderate-income residents of the DC Metropolitan area. CEET is a partner of Greater Mt. Calvary Holy Church and manages its job bank. It enjoys a 75% successful placement rate for individuals using its job placement services.

• Since 2000, several of CEET’s students who were 50-years old and above obtained their GED.
• Approximately 25% of CEET’s students who achieve their GED have gone on to enroll in postsecondary institutions.
• CEET has assisted many of its clients to find employment in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area. Approximately 35 of CEET students who were ex-offenders have completed vocational training and obtained permanent employment. One of the students gained employment at the Smithsonian Institute and achieved several promotions. He was also able to purchase a home in 2005. Other ex-offenders have obtained positions such as substance abuse counselor, carpenters, mechanics, etc.
• One of the students took the communications (public speaking) class to enhance her public speaking skills. As a result she has gone on to speak to large groups of teenagers in schools and other organizations throughout the DC community.
• CEET established a remedial reading and mathematics program for those students who could not read or write.
• CEET established a program to provide ESOL classes to students of other nationalities.
• CEET has provided computer literacy to more than 100 TANF recipients and low-income families.
• Provided academic enrichment, job readiness classes, and opportunities to obtain work experience to approximately 120 young adults, ages 14-17 years of age.
• Provided pre-vocational training to approximately 90 participants who were preparing for careers in construction.
  

ORGANIZATION STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Staff

Margie Joyner and Anita M. Obarakpor founded the organization in December 1999. These women have spent many years working to help others overcome barriers to self-sufficiency and attain independent living.

Ms. Margie Joyner, President.  Ms. Joyner has over twenty years of financial and management experience in both for-profit and nonprofit organizations as well as extensive volunteer experience with low-income residents of the District through Harriet’s Children, a community-based program in Ward 5 providing services to former-drug addicted women.  She is a member of the Management Team and oversees the operations of the organization. She is also a member of the Board of Directors.

Ms. Anita M. Obarakpor, Vice President, Operations and Development.  Ms. Obarakpor has approximately 15 years of federal contracting experience managing multi-million dollar contracts and 10 years of nonprofit and social service work experience.  She is a member of the Management Team and oversees the operations of the organization.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors.

CEET’S Board Of Directors

James Calvin, Johns Hopkins University

Faye Howard, DC Government

Margie Joyner, Center for Empowerment and Employment Training

Angela Minor

Linda Moore, Eloise Whitlow Freedom Public Charter School

Anita Obarakpor, Center for Empowerment and Employment Training

Jarvis O. Obarakpor, Fannie Mae

Jane Sharpe, Homemaker

Denise Slaughter, Institute for Educational Leadership (Chairman)

Michelle Tingling-Clemmons, DC Government

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