Cynthia Latcham, Senior Program Manager with Anawim Housing, had three TBRA (tenant based rental assistance) tenants graduate this past October from the TDL Academy. TDL is a collaboration with a number of the referral agencies that Cynthia works with closely in self sufficiency for her tenants.
TDL stands for "Central Iowa Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Academy". Seven men and five women (3 of which are currently in Anawim Housing TBRA programs) completed the 9-week training course, which included classroom instruction, work site visits, and workplace simulation for prepare for jobs in the fast-growing logistics, warehouse management, and transportation industry. The United Way of Central Iowa reported that the TDL Academy is funded by a $220,000 grant from the Walmart Foundation and Jobs for the Future (JFF), which was launched in Spring 2015 and is meant to strengthen and expand training for careers in automotive repair and maintenance, commercial truck driving, logistics, and warehouse management.
The graduates of TDL will have a greater chance of entering or re-entering the workforce after going through this extensive and rigorous 9-week program. They've been given the skills and tools needed to have access to greater opportunity. Cynthia Latcham offered these words of congratulations," Completing the Transportation Distribution and Logistics training program takes both commitment and perseverance. When a tenant graduates this program, they are going a long way towards setting themselves up for future success and self sufficiency. Anawim Housing programs don't just house individuals who have experienced homelessness. We work to help tenants achieve goals and dreams. Congratulations to the Graduates!"
TDL Academy partners with United Way of Central Iowa, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families, and Central Iowa Works.
To learn more about the TDL Academy, click here!