This five-year grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation supports ten Urban League affiliates in creating and enhancing workforce development activities. These activities include support for one stop career centers, delivery of employment and job readiness training services, and procurement opportunities for community residents they serve. Additionally, the grant allows participants to promote and enhance partnerships between the local affiliates, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and other businesses to benefit the interest of local minority communities.
 
In 2007, the affiliates provided traditional employment and training services including interviewing clients, providing referrals, and conducting job readiness workshops to 8,817 community residents. Affiliates placed 1,348 in jobs; conducted specialty skills training for 363; initiated partnering opportunities with 405 employers; and initiated and/or conducted 20 job fairs attended by 5,635 community residents.
 
In addition to the traditional program implementation aspects of service delivery, affiliates used non-traditional approaches that included: increased use of technology through web site development and e-blasts; creative partnering with faith based organizations and local businesses including participation by some local Wal-Mart managers as workshop speakers at Urban League Workforce Investment Demonstration Program (WIDP) job readiness workshops. Some WIDP programs also used consultants to complete special short term projects and increased the use of community volunteers and board members in various activities.
 
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