FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                               

Contact:  Alexandra Torres Galancid  T.213-749-3970 ext 1002  atgalancid@winterwomen.org

Re: Local Job Training Site Receives $60,000 to Train Women for Green Jobs

Los Angeles, CA, October 20, 2009 – Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles (WINTER) today received a $60,000 grant to expand its capacity to train women for green jobs. This grant is part of the Moving From Red Green: Working Women in the Green Economy, a Business and Professional Women’s (BPW) Foundation initiative funded by the Walmart Foundation.

Los Angeles made green history on April 7, 2009 when the Los Angeles City Council approved a first-in-the-nation plan to create green jobs, cut carbon emissions, and revitalize its inner-city. The council voted to support a green retrofit of City buildings that will create thousands of new jobs at the time when Angelinos are confronted with an 11.4% unemployment rate.

This formal commitment to a green economy in Los Angeles makes a strong case for pursuing an integrated training program; that will provide competitive skills to historically underserved populations, especially low-income women.

“Los Angeles has a multitude of challenges-from limited space for new building, increasing sustainability pressures, and a growing population within Los Angeles.” said Alexandra Torres Galancid, Executive Director of WINTER. “This initiative can potentially create impressive economic gain for low-income underrepresented communities; including, gender equality in these fields by supporting highly qualified/skilled women that will be competitive with the “traditional” workforce population.”

“BPW Foundation is committed to increasing the number of women in green careers and ensuring that everyone has equal access to careers of the future,” said BPW Foundation board of trustee chair Roslyn Ridgeway.  “By teaming with established training providers, BPW Foundation will be able to further engage women in non-traditional industries, determine how to meet their needs, and expedite their entry into jobs they may not have considered.” 

"Walmart is focused on environmental sustainability at every level,” said Walmart Foundation president Margaret McKenna. “We are pleased to support BPW Foundation’s efforts to give women the opportunity to play a vital role in the green economy while also gaining skills that will help them provide for themselves and their families.”

WINTER is one of four pilot sites across the country selected in a competitive process to receive funds through the Moving from Red to Green initiative. Moving from Red to Green connects women to the emerging green economy by both gauging women’s interest and providing green job training.  

BPW Foundation will link each training program to community organizations and employers as well as provide local technical assistance at each site. Another critical component of this grant is to evaluate the demand for women in the green job market and identify components of training programs that encourage successful completion and job retention.

BPW Foundation CEO Deborah L. Frett expressed appreciation that the Walmart Foundation understands the importance of including and readying women for the green job market.  “The Walmart Foundation understands that women must be included in the growing, green economy and prepared to do so,” said Frett. “We are looking to re-defining the workplace with our Successful Workplaces Movement and partnerships with employers assist us with that vision.”

WINTER’s “WINTERGreen” program will be leading the charge for innovative solutions to our mandate to build and reinvigorate green in Los Angeles.  WINTER will work to provide a pipeline for energy, water solutions and green construction/renovation high-skilled employee candidates.

The other three pilot sites selected are: CLIMB Wyoming, Vermont Works for Women, and Philadelphia Veterans Multi-Service and Education Center.

About Women In Nontraditional Employment Roles (WINTER)

WINTER was incorporated as a nonprofit organization in 1996.  Based in Los Angeles, California, the agency has consistently worked with two sectors.  WINTER’s most direct services are provided to low-income women and youth who can benefit from receiving the skills and support they need to pursue genuinely gainful employment.  Complementing this work, and ensuring that the job training activities and general education lead to real opportunities and long-term employment, WINTER works with representatives of male-dominated industries. For more information please go to www.winterwomen.org.

About Business and Professional Women’s Foundation

Business and Professional Women’s Foundation is creating successful workplaces by focusing on issues that impact women, families and employers. Successful Workplaces are those that embrace and practice diversity, equity and work life balance.

BPW Foundation supports workforce development programs and workplace policies that recognize the diverse needs of working women, communities and businesses. BPW Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) research and education organization.

For more information about the “Moving from Red to Green: Working Women in the Green Economy” initiative, visit the BPW Foundation website at www.BPWFoundation.org/redtogreen.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Walmart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Walmart – and its domestic and international foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.

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Alexandra Torres Galancid

Executive Director

Women In Non Traditional Employment Roles

3655 South Grand Avenue, Suite 270

Los Angeles, CA 90007

213-749-3970

213-749-3918 Fax

email: atgalancid@winterwomen.org

"I get up every morning determined both to change the world and to have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning the day difficult" E.B. White, writer 1899-1985