2016-596-E Finance - El Centro Hispano, Inc. - Outside Agency Performance Agreement

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DocuSign Envelope ID:6BDD2794-5ECO-4DFF-B4F6-F496A1C3AB13 t A - continued Provider's Outside Agency Application MAIN APPLICATION new employment skills, and learn about occupational safety and labor rights; 4) strengthen social relationships among community members by easing tensions with neighborhoods surrounding the current informal hiring location on Jones Ferry Road and Davie Road in Carrboro; and 5) improve the quality of life of low-wage workers and promote social equality and inclusive economic growth in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and surrounding areas in Orange County. c) Describe the local need or problem to be addressed in relation to the Consolidated Plan or other community priorities (i.e. Council/Board Goals). Cite local data to support the need for this program and the population being served. This project aligns with the goals and objectives of the Economic Development Priority of the Consolidated Plan to increase employment, self-sufficiency, education, job training, technical assistance, and economic empowerment of low and moderate income residents in the County and addresses the Jobs and Jobs Training and Community Engagement priorities of the 2012 Human Services Report. Furthermore, it addresses a need identified by community members. Between 1995 and 2005, the number of Hispanic/Latino workers in North Carolina increased 431%, which accounted for 35% of the state's total workforce.1 By the end of 2005, three out of four Latinos residing in North Carolina were employed in construction, wholesale, manufacturing, and the retail industries.2 Given the dramatic growth of Latinos residing in North Carolina over the years and unstable economies, men were gathering daily at the corner of Jones Ferry Road and Davie Road in Carrboro to obtain work. The majority of the workers gathering at the Carrboro site are from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador; however, Caucasian and African American day laborers also frequent the site. While Orange County was holding its own with a 3.5% unemployment rate, there was a upsurge in that rate, 4.20%, toward the end of 2015. This site has become an informal Day Laborer hiring site (also known as "the corner"). People who stand there are sought out to do work in construction, landscaping, painting, housekeeping, food, moving and service industries in Carrboro, Chapel Hill and other areas throughout Orange County and the Triangle. Some workers reported being victimized by presumed employers; others were promised a day's wage that was never paid; others were paid less than promised, and so on. In addition, neighbors and police have cited problems at the corner such as littering and public consumption of alcohol at the site, which led to a 2007 town ordinance prohibiting loitering at the site between 11 am and 5 am; limiting opportunities to get work for the day. Surveys conducted by outreach workers gathered information from day laborers about their employment needs and they cited need of a safe place to go to connect with employment, further education, job training, information and assistance with worker rights, health insurance, and more. Other issues affecting day laborers that the center will address include lack of opportunities to access local resources and need for a collective voice. Kasarda, J. D., &Johnson, J. H. (2006). The Economic Impact of the Hispanic Population on the State of North Carolina. Chapel HiII, NC: Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise. 2 Ibid. Main Application 5/24/2016 4:43:09 PM Pag , 2 of 11