3rd Annual Ohio Urban Resources System Conference 

The Ohio Urban Resoures System (O.U.R.S.) is a statewide network comprised of ten Community Action Agencies in Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Erie-Huron-Richland, Lorain, Youngstown, Toledo and Trumbull.  O.U.R.S. seeks to strengthen the social and economic security of families and their communities as a recognized leading resource for breaking the poverty cycle in Ohio.

According to the BLS current population survey (CPS), the unemployment rat for Ohio fell 0.1% points in March 2018 to 4.4%. The state unemployment rate was 0.3% points higher than the national rate for the month. The jobless rate inched down despite Ohio losing jobs because the unemployment rate and increase or decrease in jobs are based on different measures.

While Ohio's rural and urban communities share roller coaster statistics, Policy Matters Ohio uncovered many urban counties still show unique challenges in areas of broken union strutures, race disparities, unemployment compensation and quality job training to name a few.

Please join us for the 3rd Annual Ohio Urban Resources System Conference, "Let's Get Back to Work," October 24-26, 2018 at the Renaissance Toledo Downtown. This year's conference will focus on ready-to-work strategies by matching skilled workers with career employment and eliminating workforce barriers in Ohio's urban communities. Workshop presenters will target efforts to give Ohioans a peace of mind and value by earning livable wages, creating cradle to career pathways and diversifying the work pool with innovative entrepreneurial and social enterprise ventures. 

We are excited to announce Mr. Joe Jones, CEO/Founder of the Center for Urban Families as the 3rd Annual Conference Keynote Speaker. The Center for Urban Families is a Baltimore, Maryland nonprofit service organization established to empower low-income families by enhancing both the ability of women and men to contribute to their families as wage earners and of men to fulfill their roles as fathers. 

 Mr. Jones is now a national leader in workforce development, fatherhood and family services programming, and through this professional and civic involvement influences policy direction nationwide. Mr. Jones has received numerous awards and honors for his leadership and programming including the Johns Hopkins University Leadership Development Program's Distinguished Leadership Award, an honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Morgan State University, the Walter Sondheim Public Service Award, the White House Champion of Change and was a 2013 CNN Hero. 

Mr. Jones will deliver an inspirational address, "Creating Ladders of Opportunity through Collaboration and Advocacy." You won't want to miss this trailblazing leader! 

Register Now! 

The conference includes educational workshops, keynote address, special plenary sessions, entertainment, vendors and a networking reception. Stay tuned for more information on workshop proposals and vendors. 

 Note about Hotel Valet Parking: