How We Help
CAREER/WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
To solicit individuals with experience to collaborate to develop new manufacturing concerns. Interested individuals should email spectrumcdc@gmail.com.
COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCES
To allow city, county, state, and federal representatives to present information to the public on how they can benefit from government programs.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The current focus is on providing business training through the Zoom Video Conference Application. Small business owners handle every aspect of their business. Participants learn the skills they need to properly manage their businesses (marketing, operations, management, and finance). We have associates that provide additional information within their specialties such as:
Bank Financing
Information Technology (IT) and Communications
Human Resource Development
Saving and Investing
Our goal is to assist communities to develop new businesses to employ community residents
HEALTH & WELLNESS PROGRAM
We are currently designing a Community Food Project for Jackson, Mississippi, which would include Community Partners. We anticipate the project will grow to include a site in each county within a five-year period. People need to know how to grow their own foods, prepare those products in healthy meals, and preserve foods. It’s something grandparents used to do that we want to bring back. Anyone interested in assisting is welcome to contact spectrumcdc@gmail.com. Organic gardening will be the focus as we secure our community gardens and work with Cooperative Extension Service officials to make sure there is no contamination in the environment. We are seeking community residents with gardening skills to become volunteers to share skills with children and youth. Results include free food for gardening volunteers and healthy futures for low- and very-low income residents.
HOUSING PROGRAM
Due to Covid-19 (corona virus), activity of the Rural Housing Preservation Project was postponed because of the “shelter in place” order. During this time, the Invitation for Bids to complete the work has been completed and bids are currently being sought for – roofing replacement. All contractors wishing to bid on projects in rural Choctaw, Lowndes, and Noxubee Counties (Mississippi), may contact spectrumcdc@gmail.com. A new Temporary Housing Project for homeless veterans has been approved by Spectrum’s board, and it’s currently being developed specifically for homeless women veterans with the goal of placing the participants in a permanent housing situation within a 90-day period after they enter a temporary housing facility. Spectrum seeks to partner with property owners to rehabilitate existing properties, with the goal of re-developing at least three (3) privately owned properties per year for homeless male veterans. Veterans will provide labor and supervision to assure properties are re-developed, well-maintained, and protected at all times. If you are a homeowner, veteran, or contractor interested in work, contact spectrumcdc@gmail.com. Working families interested in purchasing a home may participate in our Affordable Housing Project which includes applicants completing a five-step process: (1) Orientation/Homeowner Training, (2) Financing and/or Credit Repair, (3) Selection, (4) Construction, and (5) Closing. Spectrum will seek to develop a minimum of three (3) homes for this project every year. Participants may require assistance with repairing credit while seeking a home. Therefore, homes may be leased for a set period before the closing to make sure participants are ready for home ownership. Potential homeowners and contractors may contact spectrumcdc@gmail.com for more information.
EDUCATION PROGRAM
Community & Economic Development Conferences where community resource organizations have an opportunity to speak to people about their programs and services. Community Reading Program which is promoted through children and youth. Participating family members commit to reading at least one book per month. It increases the reading abilities and vocabulary of families to help in school and in life. We use an educational approach with all projects, communicating the mission, goals, objectives, and activities of the project and communicating so everything is known up front, to keep everyone moving in the same direction. Planned projects include utilizing veterans to teach and train other veterans in a number of subject areas, as well as community promotions using art-work to engage residents.