Second Baptist Church Impact Ministries

Tax Id: 93-2696371

Mission: Second Baptist Church’s Impact Ministries is a non-profit organization dedicated to the transformative power of opportunity.   It empowers the residents of Erie’s Lower East Side and surrounding communities by equipping them, especially youth and young adults, with the skills, resources, and confidence needed toward career development, particularly in the burgeoning healthcare sector and beyond.

Vision: Providing practical hope toward a prosperous future.

Project Design and Management Strategy:

I. Background and Context:

Second Baptist Church’s Impact Ministries (SBCIM) is dedicated to addressing the multifaceted needs of residents residing in economically disadvantaged and underserved localities, specifically centered around Erie’s Lower East Side and adjacent communities. According to a comprehensive study conducted by CVS Health in 2020, a staggering 44% of individuals inhabiting the Lower East Side grapple with poverty, lacking access to fundamental necessities and services encompassing sustenance, transportation, gainful employment, as well as quality healthcare and childcare provisions. Notably, half of these households are devoid of private vehicles. The per capita income remains below $18,000, with median household earnings falling below $25,000 (approximately 40% of the median household income in the broader Erie metropolitan area), and an alarming unemployment rate of 52%.

II. Prevailing Service Landscape:

While community and economic development entities constitute the dominant category of service providers, primarily extending technical guidance, loans, and managerial assistance for fostering local businesses and job opportunities, programs dedicated to workforce readiness, such as vocational training and apprenticeships, are notably scarce.

III. The Vision of SBCIM:

SBCIM’s forthcoming flagship initiative is the Adult Workforce Development Program, an endeavor poised to exhibit substantial impact on the residents of the Lower East Side. This transformative program, forged through a strategic partnership with CVS Health and Aetna, will culminate in the establishment of the Workforce Innovation and Talent Center (WITC) within the premises of Second Baptist Church. The center will operate as a nucleus of education, equipping adults from the local neighborhoods with the skills imperative for thriving careers across diverse domains encompassing pharmacy operations, customer service, call center dynamics, and retail.

In conjunction with career-oriented training, the WITC will deliver essential services such as healthcare provisions, nutritional support through a food pantry, childcare facilities, after-school programs, and transportation aid. This multifaceted approach is geared towards ensuring the comprehensive preparedness of students and trainees, thus bolstering their ability to excel in the professional sphere. SBCIM’s WITC, a pioneering establishment and the sixth of its kind nationwide, draws inspiration from analogous centers in cities including Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia. Distinguished by its expansive scope of offerings, the WITC in Pittsburgh observed a commendable track record in 2021: eleven graduates, where eight secured immediate employment with CVS Health and one continued their training, yielding a perfect graduation rate, 82% employment offers, 73% hiring rate, and an 88% retention rate.

IV. Program Spotlight: Pharmacy Technician Training Program

Program Initiative:

In strategic collaboration with CVS Health, Second Baptist Church pioneered the 1st Pharmacy Technician Program in Erie County. This visionary undertaking was meticulously devised to equip individuals hailing from underserved and diverse communities with specialized healthcare training, paving their way to coveted positions and apprenticeships within CVS Health and other prominent healthcare institutions in the region.

Program Highlights:

The Pharmacy Technician Training Program stands as a beacon of education, meticulously sculpting individuals for roles within the healthcare sector and carving a trajectory toward diverse vocations within the industry. This nationally recognized training curriculum is meticulously designed, not only imparting technical skills but also offering a robust support framework to eliminate barriers, thereby propelling individuals toward triumphant professional careers.

Key Collaborators:

This initiative thrives on a strategic alliance between CVS Health and Second Baptist Church, embodying a shared commitment to fostering societal upliftment through educational empowerment.

Projected Outcomes:

Spanning a comprehensive 12-week certification curriculum, the program’s cohorts will be systematically rolled out throughout the year. Successful completion of this training regimen ensures direct integration into CVS Health or allied pharmacy roles, accompanied by the potential to be considered for esteemed positions within the broader healthcare spectrum.

Timeline:

The inaugural cohort commenced during the spring of 2023, with subsequent cohorts following.

V. Economic Prospects:

The Pharmacy Technician vocation is prominently featured within the 2022 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s High Priority Occupations List for the Northwest Region. This occupation exhibits projected growth, offering remuneration at the experienced level, sustaining families and fueling economic prosperity.

CIP Code & SOC Code:

CIP Title: Pharmacy Technician/Assistant

SOC Title: Pharmacy Technician

Employment Statistics (2018-2028):

Estimated 2018: 1,190

Projected 2028: 1,220

Percent Change: 2.5%

Annual Demand: 136

(CIP: Classification of Instructional Programs; SOC: Standard Occupational Classification)