Tech Lab Partners Again To Host 2010 Census Testing

Over 50 individuals residing in the Tenderloin visited the St. Anthony Poverello Room today to take a standardized test. Not just any test, but one to work for the 2010 Census Bureau. TL regulars picked up #2 pencils and tried their hand at a 28 question test to assess their skills and to determine what positions they were most qualified for.

The Tech Lab, a program conceived between two partnerships, again reached out to the community to collaborate with the Tenderloin Workforce Center (TWC). The TWC is a city funded program aimed at helping individuals obtain employment. Not completely dissimilar to some of the services offered at the Tech Lab for folks who are looking for employment, the TWC’s sole mission is to provide the community with valuable resources and information helpful in the job search. Oh, and it is conveniently located next door the Dining Room entrance. It became apparent that both the Tech Lab the Workforce Center were referring clients back and fourth; The Tech Lab would send individuals to TWC who were looking for work, training programs, or resume tips while TWC would send folks over who needed to brush up on their computer skills. When contact was made with someone working for the 2010 census, it seemed a natural partnership would be created for the project.

A flyer was made and distributed, sign-up sheets printed, and the Poverello Room reserved and set-up allowing a relaxing and stress free testing environment for our clientele. Outreach was successful and our wonderful volunteer Suzie did some day-of advertising in the Dining Room which was also successful.

The city has made a big push to obtain accurate information on folks residing in the city. Largely due to incomplete or uncollected data in 2010, funds were lost. 10 years later with mounting deficits and dwindling sources of income, the city is not willing to miss out on another source of money. Over 1,000 temporary jobs will be created to gather information. It is not lasting solution, but it provides some financial assistance to a community struggling. By maximizing resources, both the Tech Lab and the Tenderloin Workforce Center were able to combine efforts to offer this wonderful opportunity within the community. Hopefully this relationship will go beyond the 2010 census and continue to better the TL.