Sandee Smith Program, Coordinator
Building Lives to Independence & Self Sufficiency (BLISS)
Improving the lives of families at risk of long-term social support dependency or family instability by creating opportunities towards self sufficiency. Sandee was also the lead person on developing and creating the (18) Matrix used to assess families in poverty where they are and development of the work plan to help in removing barriers.
Sandee is a Certified Workforce Development Professional, a Master Trainer for Workplace Excellence; a series of soft skills training modules (10) used in today’s workforce for employers.
For the past year she held the position of Acting Program Manager for the Southside Career Station at Huguenot High School & Southside Career Stations. Sandee was also instrumental in networking with neighborhood civic groups about the services/resources provided by the Office of Community Wealth Building.
She has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources, Customer Services, SNAP policy, and Workforce training. She attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville on a Track & Field scholarship. Was injured her second year and returned home. Received her AAS in Marketing from Reynolds, moved on to receive her BA/Business Administration/Management from Mary Baldwin College and has a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Central Michigan University.
Sandee is an active member in organizations: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Richmond Alumnae Chapter, Leadership Metro Richmond/LMR 2003, Virginia State University School of Business, Workforce Volunteer, and Florence Cooper Neal-Smith Professorship/VCU Health Systems/fundraiser for Sickle Cell Research and Supportive Services. Along with giving back to her community; Sandee is also a business owner/Hire 1 Consulting. Working with businesses to, develop and deliver needed workforce/soft skills training.
“Improving the lives of families at risk of long-term social support dependency or family instability by creating opportunities towards self sufficiency.”
John Korusek, aka Jonni
Jonni reinvented himself by going back to college during a time of unemployment in 2009. He received his Associates of Arts, then Bachelor of Science in Religion and a Master of Arts in Human Services from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA.
Jonni took this new education to start working in Workforce Development. First at the Virginia Employment Commission, next at the Resource Workforce Centers as a Business Services Consultant, then at The Choice Group as a Job Coach / Community Engagement Specialist. Currently as Business Services with the City of Richmond, Office of Community Wealth Building.
This is where Jonni assists anyone 18 and up (Veterans, Unemployed, Homemakers, and Returning Citizens) start Training and find Employment through a City Funded Program at the City of Richmond Office of Community Wealth Building (OCWB).
So, besides occasionally playing music as DJ Jonni Bravo. Jonni is an Emcee (MC); Guest Speaker; Transformational Public Speaker and Social Media Expert.
