Page 24 - Erica Wright News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

By Erica Wright The Birmingham Times Beth Mitchell wanted to work but struggled to find a job. The Birmingham resident was diagnosed with depression and labored to find employment for five years—until she eventually found her way to Workshops Empowerment Inc. (WE Inc.). “They taught me basic work skills because I had been out of the workforce for [so long],” said Mitchell. “They let me tour [the facilities] and decide what type of job setting I would like to start working in.” WE Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham’s Avondale community, offers a broad range of vocat...

By Erica Wright The Birmingham Times Thanks to Workshops Empowerment Inc. (WE Inc.), Corenza Smith, who had an on-again-off-again work history for several years, has secured steady employment and even won awards for her work. “In 2015, I left WE Inc. and got a steady job with [Birmingham-based] Community Cleaning and Maintenance. In 2016, my job named me employee of the year,” she said. “[That same year, Alabama] Gov. Kay Ivey gave me an award for the district of Birmingham as employee of the year. … That was very special to me.” WE Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Birmingham...

By Sydney Melson and Erica Wright The Birmingham Times COVID-19 vaccination sites are opening around Jefferson County, and growing numbers of citizens are receiving shots—but some wonder whether the homeless population is being overlooked. “It is incredibly important that the homeless population is not forgotten,” said Anne Wright Rygiel, executive director of the Firehouse Ministries, a homeless shelter that has provided services to the Birmingham community since 1983. “This is still congregate living and housing. … We’re all grouped together, and we do the best we can.” Having...

By Erica Wright The Birmingham Times  One day ahead of the official opening of the A.H. Parker High School community vaccination site, Birmingham City Schools (BCS) Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan on Wednesday received his COVID-19 vaccine shot along with some school employees. “We know one of the best ways to end this pandemic is to ensure that everybody gets vaccinated,” said Sullivan. “As part of Birmingham City Schools, we want to be part of the solution, that’s why we opened the doors of Parker High School . . . for the community to have an opportunity to have a vaccine within...

By Erica Wright The Birmingham Times  Honoring Black History Month may look and feel different this year due to the global COVID-19 pandemic but there are still plenty of ways to safely celebrate the contributions of Black people. Here’s are some Birmingham-area BHM events.  Birmingham Civil Rights Institute Each year the BCRI educates and celebrates the history of the Civil Rights Movement. This year, the Black History Month 2021 theme is “Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity”, exploring the African diaspora and the spread of Black families across the Un...