Letter of Support for Four Mounds 2022 Employer Innovation FundCopyrighted
December 20, 2021
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 6.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Letter of Support for Four Mounds 2022 Employer Innovation Fund
Future Ready Iowa Grant Application
SUMMARY: City Manager providing a copy of a letter of support of Four Mounds as a
potential recipient of the 2022 Employer Innovation Fund Future Ready
Iowa Grant.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Letter of Support of Four Mounds Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
UB & E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
Dear Grant Committee:
Dubuque
Office of the Mayor
All -America Cft
�%IyNAr 4 7%).r,,�1,_ City Hall
1 I 1 50 West 13t' Street
Dubuque, IA 52001-4805
® www.cityofdubuque.org
2007►2012.2013
2017*2019
December 15, 2021
I write today in support of Four Mounds as a potential recipient of the 2022 Employer
Innovation Fund Future Ready Iowa Grant.
The City of Dubuque's support of Four Mounds is ongoing as they play an essential role in
our community through HEART (Housing, Education, and Rehabilitation Training), including
the Build Dubuque Program. For over 19 years, the HEART program, in partnership with the
City of Dubuque, has worked with students at risk of dropping out of high school.
Participants in the program rehabilitate distressed properties that are sold to first-time
homebuyers. In the past three years, Four Mounds has expanded programming to serve
adults. The project -based, paid training programming is an innovative approach to working
with non-traditional learners and adults with barriers to employment. The completed work
positively impacts community revitalization and economic vibrancy. Participants receive the
wrap -around support services that ensure they continue to experience success and gainful
employment.
Most recent statistics indicate that participants average $16,000 a year when entering the
program and are averaging $38,000 a year when they secure employment after program
completion.
Four Mounds provides an essential service for not only building the workforce in Dubuque,
but for restoring people and neighborhoods in the process. As Mayor of Dubuque, I highly
recommend them as an award recipient. I look forward to a continued partnership with Four
Mounds as their work continues to transform lives. Please feel free to contact me with
questions.
Sincerely,
R y D. Buol
Mayor