Community Impact
The Denver Green Jobs Initiative (DGJI) was originally written to serve the 80205 zip code of Denver, a cluster of five neighborhoods: Cole, Whittier, Skyland, Clayton and Five Points. Most commonly referred to collectively as Five Points, the area has a 20% poverty rate and an average income below poverty level of $26,992, making it one of the highest poverty areas in the Denver metro area. In addition, the unemployment rate for the area is at 10.9%, compared to 7.8% for metro Denver. In 2011, our area was expanded to include other northeast Denver neighborhoods that have similar disadvantages (see the Eligibility Criteria page for a list of the neighborhoods).
The measurement goals of DGJI was to provide training for 500 unique individuals during the two-year initiative and to place approximately 64% of those participants into jobs. To date, more than 800 participants have taken at least one class at DGJI.
Beyond the hard-line numbers, DGJI also sought to empower the communities it served to change their lives for long-term career development and employability. Read more about the impact of DGJI on participants and view videos on our Success Stories page.
"It's a great place to be to learn and train. (Life Skills instructor) Melindajoy helped me change the way I think in a positive way. She helped me become a better person." - Melissa Archuleta
"I LOVE IT - it's like a supportive family and I feel like they helped me create my life's goals just as I pictured it." - Pat Guest
"I think iCAST is doing a great job teaching me and their students all about the many different jobs and careers out there in the solar industry. iCAST is a great benefit to me by gathering as much information in the solar business world by sharing them with us then training DGJI students. DGJI teachers really care about their students by the way they teach and take their time with the subject at hand. I personally plan to further a career in the solar industry as far as I can by learning as much as can. I am a hands-on kind of person so I will take what I've learned to the business part of life. Thanks to iCAST and DGJI, along with Road Called Straight, for this chance for my life to change." - Phil Bernal
Beyond the hard-line numbers, DGJI also sought to empower the communities it served to change their lives for long-term career development and employability. Read more about the impact of DGJI on participants and view videos on our Success Stories page.
What Denver Green Jobs Initiative participants have said:
"The trainings were excellent." - JoAnne Roberts"It's a great place to be to learn and train. (Life Skills instructor) Melindajoy helped me change the way I think in a positive way. She helped me become a better person." - Melissa Archuleta
"I LOVE IT - it's like a supportive family and I feel like they helped me create my life's goals just as I pictured it." - Pat Guest
"I think iCAST is doing a great job teaching me and their students all about the many different jobs and careers out there in the solar industry. iCAST is a great benefit to me by gathering as much information in the solar business world by sharing them with us then training DGJI students. DGJI teachers really care about their students by the way they teach and take their time with the subject at hand. I personally plan to further a career in the solar industry as far as I can by learning as much as can. I am a hands-on kind of person so I will take what I've learned to the business part of life. Thanks to iCAST and DGJI, along with Road Called Straight, for this chance for my life to change." - Phil Bernal
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