Our guest speaker for our November Pints is Orlando Owens. Mr. Owens is U.S. Senator Ron Johnson's Regional Director and works on the Joseph Project in Milwaukee.

The Joseph Project is a faith-based initiative to connect people with jobs. Participants go through a week long life skills training program and then are offered a chance to interview with companies looking to hire. The project started as a constituent service through the office of U.S. Senator Ron Johnson. While traveling the states, Senator Johnson found that manufacturers' number one concern was not having enough workers. Yet when he visited central city neighborhoods, the problem was not enough jobs. Senator Johnson's staffers work with Pastor Jerome Smith of Greater Praise Church of God in Christ to identify people ready for a life change, based on their attitude and determination. Once a month, a new group of participants attends free weeklong sessions at the church. The classes, taught by volunteers, cover topics such as teamwork, time management, financial management, conflict resolution and spiritual fitness. Participants who stay with it through the week all get a job interview with employers who are looking to hire.

Mr. Owens will discuss the Joseph Project, how the program is changing people’s lives, and the project’s growth and expansion.