(Washington, DC)  Today, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the Department of Employment Services (DOES), in partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR), celebrated the grand opening of two new satellite one-stop career and information centers, co-located at the Emery Recreation Center, located at 5701 Georgia Avenue, NW, and the Columbia Heights Recreation Center, located at 1480 Girard Street, NW.   

“It is critical that as a government we do all we can to provide every opportunity for District residents to find employment,” said Mayor Fenty. “These new career centers go a long way in offering this opportunity in a convenient way to meet a key priority of my administration. I look forward to continuing this type of interagency collaboration to find solutions that best serve our citizens.”  

The centers were officially launched during a ceremony hosted by Mayor. Fenty, with remarks by Ward 4 Councilmember Muriel Bowser, DOES Director Summer Spencer, DPR Director Clark Ray and other government officials. 

“I am thrilled about the opening of these new career and information centers,” said Director Spencer.  “Our partnership with the Department of Parks and Recreation will ensure that District residents have access to employment-related resources and assistance at locations that are easily accessible.  This partnership is one demonstration of the city government working at its best for our residents.”  

DPR Director Clark Ray added that the co-location of One-Stop Centers within the District’s recreation centers is a strategically smart step.  “The Department of Parks and Recreation’s goals is to help maintain a healthy and vibrant community,” said Director Ray.  “We understand that gainful employment is critical to this goal, therefore residents using these facilities will now be able to take full advantage of the convenience and resources this interagency partnership offers.” 

The centers will provide local residents with information on employment-related services, including training and access to local and regional job opportunities. Information on apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and on-the-job training programs will also be offered, as well as upcoming workshops and job fairs within the DC area.  The Emery satellite center will operate from 9 am to 3 pm, Monday through Friday; Columbia Heights will operate from 9 am to 3 pm, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

The Emery and Columbia Heights One-Stop Career and Information Centers are two of seven one-stop centers strategically located in the District of Columbia.  The One-Stop Career Centers are part of a national system that combines local employment and training services with access to unemployment compensation services into one easily accessible center.  For more information on the District’s One-Stop Career System, visit DCNETWORKS website or call (202) 724-7000.