The "Ship of Zion" project is a unique attempt to connect inner city workers and job seekers to suburban job opportunities. It is a faith based and community initiative partnering Pittsburgh Presbytery, Bidwell, Grace Memorial and Hazelwood Presbyterian Churches with The Pittsburgh Foundation, Henry Highland Garnet Society, Access to WorkTask Force and WorkLink.
According to the Federal Government, transportation is next to childcare as a barrier to employment. The " Ship" offers ten round trips Monday through Friday and six on Saturday. The service is free to employees, job seekers and job trainees, It is funded by the Federal Job Access and Reverse Commute Program (JARC) and the State of Pennsylvania Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) funds.
The project goals are:
- Connect workers and job seekers to more lucrative job opportunities
- Provide data to public transit organizations for new routes and services
- Assist other faith based entities to replicate the service or provide complementing service
The project was spearheaded by Rev. Dr. Johnnie Monroe of Grace Memorial Presbyterian Church and Elder RIchard LeGrande of Hazelwood Presbyterian Church and Moderator of the Henry Highland Garnet Society. The project has been funded for fiscal 2005-2006.
