Explanation
This ordinance authorizes the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Dress for Success in support of the organization’s Pathway of Economic Empowerment framework.
Since 2007, Dress for Success Columbus (D4S) has led the way in empowering women to achieve economic independence through a comprehensive suite of programs and services. Through the Great Recession, a global pandemic, and today’s housing affordability crisis, D4S has continually adapted and grown-always striving to meet the evolving needs of clients and community.
This year, D4S embarked on an evaluation of programs and services offered to clientele, and the organization determined that a restructuring of services geared toward access to workforce development resources was necessary. The holistic framework includes:
• Access to Essential Workforce Resources
• Growth through Personal & Professional Development Trainings
• Career Advancement through Coaching & Community
Council’s support of D4S will enhance programmatic offerings such as Style Sessions, the Mobile Career Center, Women2Women Mentoring, Build for Better, She Thrives: Empowering Women to Succeed, Success Coaching, and Empower HER.
Fiscal Impact: Funding is available within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund.
Emergency action is requested in order to avoid any delay in deploying Dress for Success’ workforce development programming.
Title
To authorize the City Clerk to enter into a grant agreement with Dress for Success Columbus in support of the Pathway to Economic Empowerment framework; to authorize an appropriation and expenditure within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund; and to declare an emergency. ($100,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, since 2007, Dress for Success Columbus has led the way in empowering women to achieve economic independence through a comprehensive suite of programs and services; and
WHEREAS, this year, Dress for Success embarked on an evaluation of programs and services offered to clientele, and the organization determined that a restructuring of services geared toward access to workforce development resources was necessary; and
WHEREAS, Council’s support of D4S will enhance programmatic offerings such as Style Sessions, the Mobile Career Center, Women2Women Mentoring, Build for Better, She Thrives: Empowering Women to Succeed, Success Coaching, and Empower HER; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the City Clerk in that it is immediately necessary to authorize a grant agreement in order to more rapidly deploy Dress for Success’ workforce development programming to meet the immediate and rising needs and demands of the organization’s clientele; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the City Clerk is hereby authorized to enter into a grant agreement with Dress for Success Columbus in support of the Pathway to Economic Empowerment framework.
SECTION 2. That the Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to appropriate $100,000.00 within the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 3. That for the purpose authorized in Section 1 of this ordinance, the expenditure of $100,000.00, or so much thereof as is needed, is hereby authorized in the Neighborhood Initiatives subfund per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.