Support Education Outcomes Via Housing: The Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA) provides numerous programs for its residents ranging from employment training, apprenticeship programs, mental health, budgeting and consumer education, and childcare resources.
As a part of Wake County’s Communities in Schools program, year-round learning centers in RHA communities provide before-and-after school support to K-12 students. The learning centers focus on academic support and mentoring and enrichment programs facilitated by certified educators, external program partners, and community volunteers. The learning centers are located in the following public housing communities:
- Capital Park
- Chavis Heights
- Heritage Park
- Kentwood
- Mayview
Support for Postsecondary Students
Studies show fast-growing rates of food and housing insecurity among students across the U.S. and locally in Raleigh. The City of Raleigh has joined a new peer-learning cohort led by the National League of Cities focused on removing barriers to basic needs that often prevent college students from completing degrees, certificates, and other credentials that lead to rewarding careers.
The City hopes to identify and provide sustainable resources addressing students’ basic needs such as housing, food insecurity, workforce readiness, digital broadband access, and mental health services. North Carolina State University serves as lead partner on the initiative. Other institutional partners include Shaw University, Wake Technical Community College, and William Peace University, with a goal of providing equitable support to Raleigh’s students.
Improving Access to Apprenticeship Programs
Partnership Raleigh is a workforce development initiative and public-private partnership between the City of Raleigh municipal government, local businesses, and the non-profit community.
In addition to Partnership Raleigh, City staff work directly with programs that provide other internships and apprenticeship opportunities such as:
- WakeWorks, hosted by Wake Tech Community College, covers tuition, fees, books, uniforms, and tools for students accepted into apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs.
- Capital Area Workforce Development’s NextGen Centers offers apprenticeships in high demand sectors to low-to moderate income youth.
- City staff is currently a collaborative partner in developing Raleigh Housing Authority’s Building Futures Initiative, which aims to increase and improve employment opportunities for residents who participate in Section 3 employment, education, and training opportunities. Building Futures will focus on the construction and building performance sectors.