Workforce youth program sets events
Be Pro Be Proud, a workforce development initiative led by the Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce/Associated Industries of Arkansas, announced dates and locations for the 2025 Draft Day Series.
Be Pro Be Proud will travel to 11 locations across Arkansas, providing career exploration and interview opportunities to high school students by matching their interests and skill sets with relevant career options, according to a news release.
“Draft Day events give Arkansas students the opportunity to learn more about technical careers, practice interview etiquette and connect with potential employers they wouldn’t have otherwise,” said Arkansas Chief Workforce Officer Mike Rogers. “These events will reach more students than ever before, helping combat the alarming skilled workforce shortage in the state from the ground up.”
Area events will be held:
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
March 6: Southeast Arkansas Education Cooperative, Monticello.
April 1: Grand Prairie Center, Stuttgart.
April 3: Pine Bluff Convention Center, Pine Bluff.
April 8: University of Arkansas at Hope/Texarkana, Hope.
April 29: El Dorado Conference Center, El Dorado.
The 2024 Draft Day Series spanned eight Arkansas regions and included 130 companies and 105 high schools. Across the eight events, 1,063 high school seniors were interviewed for a potential job, internship, apprenticeship or training opportunity, and 3,194 Arkansas high school students participated in all. For other dates and locations or details visit AR.BeProBeProud.org.
Hunger relief grants available
Arkansas Hunger Relief Alliance is offering applications for the 2025 Capacity Building Grant. Applications will be accepted from Dec. 2 through Jan. 10.
This grant is designed to help local hunger relief organizations strengthen their ability to serve communities more effectively, according to a news release.
This opportunity is open to food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and other hunger relief programs. Grant funds can be used for items such as kitchen appliances, storage solutions, meal prep tools, and office equipment.
To apply visit https://emma-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/8mbgb/a3970e7cd59c3ce5d91ec77bbc958a50/2025_Capacity_Building_Grant_Overview___General_Grant_tips__1_.pdf
For questions or help with the grant portal, email scollins@arhungeralliance.org or cgiles@arhungeralliance.org.
Federal retirees to meet Monday
Chapter 287 of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees) will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Donald W. Reynolds Building, 211 W. Third Ave. Plans for the new year will be discussed, according to a news release.
Civic panel to meet today
There will be a special in-person called meeting for the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission at 8:30 a.m. today. To join by conference call, dial (978) 990-5002 and use access code: 7020010. Details: Pine Bluff Convention Center, (870) 536-7600.