JOBS NOT GUNS INITIATIVE
jobs not guns initiative
The Jobs Not Guns Initiative was created by three organizations established in February 2021 to assist District Mayor Muriel Bowser’s initiative “Building Blocks DC, Office of Gun Violence Prevention” to decrease gun violence in the District of Columbia. “JOBS NOT GUNS” is designed to CREATING JOBS and BUILDING CARRERS! by coordinating businesses, training/apprenticeship programs, vocational education providers and supportive service programs working together to collectively build a strong workforce that is job-ready and will lead to a systematic decrease in the number of perpetrators and victims of gun violence.
Since 2021, the Coalition has hosted
- Seven (7) Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fairs that featured between 75 and over 100 employers consisting of on-the-job/apprenticeship training programs, workforce development programs and social/supportive service programs with an average between 200 and over 500 persons in attendance.
- Two (2) Jobs Not Guns Business Icebreakers for potential exhibitors to provide an overview of the upcoming “Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair;”
- Three (3) Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop, entitled: “A Roadmap to a Career,” that began with 50 youth up to 155 youth from high schools, out-of-school, workforce development or support service programs, ages 16-24. The workshops provide guidance and assistance for overcoming barriers to targeted careers through training, apprenticeship, internship, and supportive service programs that serve as a deterrent to youth violence.
Jobs Not Guns Events To Date:
With funding from mini-grants, corporate sponsors and community partners, the Jobs Not Gun Initiatives hosted the following events:
- First-of-Its-Kind Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair”—July 20, 2021
- East of the River Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair --November 19, 2021
- Ward 1 Jobs Not Guns Summit and Recruitment Fair – July 27, 2022
- Ward 5 Jobs Not Guns Business Icebreaker – October 26, 2022
- Ward 5 Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair – November 16, 2022
- Ward 4 Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop – February 27, 2023
- Ward 4 Jobs Not Guns Business Icebreaker –April 6, 2023
- Ward 2 Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop—September 15, 2023
- 2023 Citywide Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair – November 28, 2023
- 2024 East of the River Jobs Not Guns Youth Career Building Workshop – May 15, 2024
- Prince George’s County Jobs Not Guns Recruitment Fair – June 13, 2024
- Jobs Not Guns/Jobs Not Drugs Citywide Recruitment Fair – November 14 2024
The Jobs Not Guns Initiative continuously designs, produces, and facilitates forums to address gun violence preventions in the District of Columbia. The Initiative has partnered with Federal agencies, District agencies, major corporate sponsors, employers, businesses, on-the-job skill training programs, apprenticeship programs and support service agencies, community leaders and residents to invest in hiring District residents.
The Jobs Not Guns Initiative has currently expanded the Initiative into Prince George’s County, MD and is reaching out to the leaders in Montgomery County, MD to assist in reducing the perpetrators and victims of gun violence within their communities.
The National Association of Minority Contractors—Washington, DC Metropolitan Area Chapter (NAMC-WMAC) was formed in February 2005. A non-profit 501©(6) tax-exempt membership organization governed by a Board of Directors; the President manages its day-to-day operation. NAMC-WMAC’s service area encompasses Washington, DC, Prince Georges and Montgomery Counties in Maryland and Northern Virginia. NAMC-WMAC has as its focus “A Commitment to Diversity.”