DETROIT, June 1, 2010 — An event to inform the community and media about a major new initiative to train and place hundreds of southwest Detroit residents in green industry jobs will be held on Friday, June 4.

The initiative is called Detroit GreenWorks Solutions and stems from a collaboration of local organizations, including Southwest Solutions, The Greening of Detroit, WARM Training Center and Henry Ford Community College.

In the next two years, Detroit GreenWorks Solutions will train and place at least 360 unemployed and underemployed individuals in jobs related to the green industries sector, such as weatherization, landscaping, forestry and urban farming. The free training is available to eligible southwest Detroit residents.

The event on Friday, June 4 will take place Noon – 4 PM at the Mexicantown Mercado, located at the foot of the Ambassador Bridge near the corner of Bagley Street and 21st Street.

From noon – 1 PM, a briefing will be held for the press and employer partners who will be providing work opportunities for individuals who complete the training programs. Public officials and leaders of the collaborating agencies will speak about the importance of Detroit GreenWorks Solutions in helping to improve the employment and economic future of Detroit and the region. Representing Mayor Dave Bing’s office will be Al Fields, Group Executive of Planning.

After the briefing, from 1 PM – 2 PM, reporters and employee partners will have the opportunity to meet with the respective agencies conducting job training. The agencies will have kiosks set up at the Mercado to answer questions. Trainees currently enrolled in the programs will also be on hand to talk about their participation and hopes.

From 2 PM – 4 PM, community members interested in enrolling are invited to learn more about the training programs from program staff. Applications and informational materials will be available.

The funding for Detroit GreenWorks Solutions comes from a $4 million grant awarded as part of the $150 million “Pathways Out of Poverty” program authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Detroit GreenWorks Solutions is one of 38 recipients of grants from the program in the country.