Would You Like To Find Out More About The Packaging Industry And Lifetrack Resources?

Your Invited to Lifetrack At A Glance
@ Innovative Packaging Solutions

Thursday, September 22, 2011
Agenda

7:45 am - Arrival & Breakfast
8:00 am - Program & Tour
9:00 am - Q & A, Networking

Lifetrack at a Glance is an opportunity to learn about our
programs focused on employment and healthy family
development and the clients we serve in our community.

Please RSVP by September 20, 2011 to
LouiseJ@LifetrackResources.org or 651-265-2389.

Innovative Packaging Solutions • 341 Chester Street • St. Paul, MN 55107

Innovative Packaging Solutions is a Social Enterprise and a division of

Lifetrack Resources, which provides efficient packaging and assembly

services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work

transition services for persons with little work experience.

Directions: Innovative Packaging Solutions is located off of Highway 52.

Take the Plato Boulevard exit and head East onto Plato. Travel 1 block

and turn right onto Chester Street. Travel 1/4 mile.

Innovative Packaging Solutions will be on the right.

Construction is always changing in the area.

Please make time accommodations for travel inconveniences.

Press Release

For Immediate Release:

Lifetrack Resources Hits 100% Job Placement in Green Jobs Partnership

Lifetrack Resources’ graduates find employment upon completion of the RENEW project.

By Kimberly Mills

During 2010-2011 Lifetrack Resources has provided green-work skills training and job placement for 41 individuals through the Renewable Energy Network Empowering Workers (RENEW) Project.

A recent success of the RENEW project is the Basic Green Facilities Services Training which Lifetrack Resources developed through a strong partnership with Dunwoody College of Technology. The three-month training utilized modern environmentally friendly principles in Professional Cleaning, Green Workplace & Blueprint Reading, and Certified Pool Operator.   One hundred percent of the participants completing the program were placed into employment in their field within a month of completing the training making $8.25 to $10.60 hourly. Mariam Shehata, Lifetrack Resources Green Jobs Training Specialist said, “I am thrilled with the training and excited that all of our graduates were able to quickly find employment! “  

The training was made possible from federal funding awarded to the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program in partnership with the Ramsey county Workforce Solutions.  These funds were used by many businesses and educational institutions in the Twin Cities. This project focused on providing sustainable pathways out of poverty for some of the cities most disadvantaged citizens, while ensuring that area businesses have access to a well-trained workforce that is prepared to carry out the work of greening the local economy.

About Lifetrack Resources:
Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit LifetrackResources.org or call 651-227-8471.

About Dunwoody College of Technology:
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, nonprofit, endowed institution of higher education that has educated and trained more than 250,000 men and women for meaningful and rewarding technical careers. It is the only institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Dunwoody is committed to excellence in education and works to serve those preparing for and working in business and industry. Visit www.Dunwoody.edu/ or call 612-374-5800 for more information.

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Mills

Communications & Community Relations Director

Lifetrack Resources

651.265.2327

Documents and/or Photos available for this release:

Lifetrack Resources
Dunwoody College of Technology
To view supporting documents and/or photos, go to www.enr-corp.com/pressroom and enter Release ID: 307057

Packaging Plant Trains Employees through a Department of Labor Federal Grant - RENEW Project

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:	Kimberly Mills
	Communications Director
	Lifetrack Resources
	Phone: (651) 265-2327
	E-Mail: KimberlyM@LifetrackResources.org
	Greg Bauman
	Business Development Specialist
	Innovative Packaging Solutions
	Phone: (612) 760-9393
	E-Mail: GregB@ChooseIPS.org

Innovative Packaging Solutions and Dunwoody College Provides Additional Job Training

Saint Paul, MN – Innovative Packaging Solutions (IPS) teamed up with Dunwoody College of Technology and Mariam Shehata, Lifetrack Resources Green Jobs Training Specialist, to develop training for IPS staff. The course took place over four weeks on Fridays in March 2011. Subjects covered Basic Manufacturing Safety, Basic Electronics, Introduction to Lean Green, and Creative Job Thinking. Over ten individuals participated in the class, five of whom were from Innovative Packaging Solutions. Most participants were referred from Lifetrack’s immigrant and refugee employment services. Lifetrack Resources also provided two translators for the class that included Hmong and Somalia translations.

Terry Choate, IPS Plant Manager said, “I noticed that after the training, employees were empowering themselves to make innovative changes in their work methods.” This ultimately creates higher productivity and less down time.

Mohamed Maye, Assistant Production Supervisor commented, “The training on workplace organization and cleanliness was incredibly valuable for all participants. A clean workplace is the most important part of workplace safety.” All the students received certificates of completion at the end of the sessions which can be added to their resume.    Joey White, Dunwoody College Instructor, led the three sessions twenty six hour course.

This training was funded through a $4 million federal grant awarded to the City of Minneapolis Employment and Training Program, in partnership with Ramsey County Workforce Solutions. RENEW - Renewable Energy Network Empowering Workers – builds capacity for green enterprise in the Twin Cities by strategically connecting businesses with a trained workforce.  The program prepares jobseekers for green careers, aligning job training with sustainable economic development. RENEW funding is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

About Innovative Packaging Solutions:
Innovative Packaging Solutions, a division of Lifetrack Resources, is a nonprofit that provides efficient packaging and assembly services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work transition services for persons with little work experience. To learn more about IPS, visit InnovativePackagingSolutions.org or call 651-290-0567.

About Lifetrack Resources:
Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit LifetrackResources.org or call 651-227-8471.

About Dunwoody College of Technology:
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, nonprofit, endowed institution of higher education that has educated and trained more than 250,000 men and women for meaningful and rewarding technical careers. It is the only institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest. Dunwoody is committed to excellence in education and works to serve those preparing for and working in business and industry. Visit Dunwoody.edu or call 612-374-5800 for more information.

Innovative Packaging Solutions continues Call Center Internship

Michelle's Internship Journal

Michelle's Internship Journal

Apr 21, 2011 by Michelle Hernandez

Michelle Hernandez

This post is a journal for Michelle Hernandez as she complete a 12-week internship for Lifetrack Resources' Training Programs. Michelle is working with the Customer Service Training, Innovative Packaging Solutions' Call Center and the computer lab through the Broadband Access Project.
WEEK ONE
4/21:  I started my data entry projects today. I also worked in the computer lab, helping the lab clients use spell check on their resumes and send faxes.
4/20:  I went to an Advanced Excel training today. It was a great refresher for me. I had never used the 2007 version and I'd never used the mathematic functions. In the afternoon I watched our salesman, Greg, demonstrated how to make cold calls at IPS. It was intimidating!
4/19:  Today I learned more about what my job will entail and about the different administrative and data entry projects I'll be working on. I also got my Outlook and voicemail accounts set up.
4/18:  On my very first afternoon I toured Innovative Packaging Solutions (IPS). This is Lifetrack's packaging plant. I didn't know anything about this company so it was really interesting.

Lifetrack Resources Celebrates another Community Success Story

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Partnership with Local Companies Continues Critical Worker Placement Services

By Kimberly Mills

Nearly eleven years ago, Anthony Demry was unemployed with four children. Through the services of Lifetrack Resources he was able to not only locate a job with Colder Products Company but start a fulfilling career.  Lifetrack Resources, a major nonprofit provider of employment services in the Twin Cities and Minnesota, acts as an intermediary between business and program participants to provide employment placement services.
In 2000 Demry worked with Lifetrack's Employment Specialist Wally Waranka to help him find a job through the Business-to-Business (B2B) partner alliance offered by Lifetrack. Through this partnership with local companies, Waranka was able to provide Anthony with leads on potential job openings. “I wish we could have more like Anthony, he not only worked with us, but followed through on leads, which helped him end up with such a great job” said Waranka.

Demry started working at Colder Products Company in Saint Paul as a shipping clerk eleven years ago. His career has now developed to handling Import and Export compliance with Colder plants and other companies around the world. He also serves on Colder’s Community Resource Committee (CRC) which is responsible for allocating annual donations to non-profit organizations that provide resources for the Saint Paul community.

During a recent site review of non-profit organizations the CRC visited Lifetrack Resource’s “At A Glance” open house Demry was able to re-connect with Warnaka and introduce other members of the CRC to the wide array of services Lifetrack offers. Sondra Berghuis, CRC chairperson said “It was surprising to learn how vast the services are and the large number of people that are helped and supported at Lifetrack.”
 

Colder and Lifetrack Resources continue to work as B2B partners through their social enterprise contract packaging services at Innovative Packaging Solutions in Saint Paul.  “Lifetrack Resources was there for me when I needed them,” said Demry “I’m glad I am now in a position with Colder’s CRC to help give a little back.”

About Lifetrack Resources:
Lifetrack Resources is a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit LifetrackResources.org


   

About Colder Products Company:
Colder Products Company is the leading provider of quick disconnect couplings, fittings and connectors for plastic tubing. Located in the Midway area of St. Paul Colder was founded in 1978 and now has 250 employees and sales offices in nine countries. To learn more about Colder Products, visit Colder.com

About Innovative Packaging Solutions:
Innovative Packaging Solutions, a division of Lifetrack Resources, is a nonprofit that provides efficient packaging and assembly services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work transition services for persons with little work experience. To learn more about IPS, visit InnovativePackagingSolutions.org

For more information, please contact:

Kimberly Mills

Communications Director

Lifetrack Resources

KimberlyM@LifetrackResources.org 651-265-2327

Lifetrack At A Glance @ Innovative Packaging Solutions

Please join us for

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Agenda

7:45 am - Arrival & Breakfast

8:00 am - Program & Tour

9:00 am - Q & A, Networking

Lifetrack at a Glance is an opportunity to learn about our programs focused on employment and healthy family development and the clients we serve in our community.

Please RSVP by April 1, 2011 to

KatieK@LifetrackResources.org or 651-265-2326.

At a Glance

Innovative Packaging Solutions

341 Chester Street

Saint Paul, MN 55107

651-290-0567

Innovative Packaging Solutions is a division of Lifetrack Resources, which provides efficient packaging and assembly services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work transition services for persons with little work experience.

Directions: Innovative Packaging Solutions is located off of Highway 52. Take the Plato Boulevard exit and head East onto Plato. Travel 1 block and turn right onto Chester Street. Travel 1/4 mile. Innovative Packaging Solutions will be on the right.

Upcoming Lifetrack at a Glance Dates:

April 14, 11:30 a.m. - Lifetrack Resources, 709 University Ave. W.

Innovative Packaging Solutions Opens Call Center Internship!

First Call Center Internship Completed with Success!

 

Mar 17, 2011 by Linnea Sowden

Linnea makes final calls to prospects

Today, Linnea Sowden completed Innovative Packaging Solutions' first 30-hour Call Center Internship! Linnea did a fantastic job, completing 116 calls and making 33 contacts! Before her internship in February, Linnea was the top graduate in Lifetrack's Customer Service Training. Now that she has successfully completed her training and internship, Linnea is pursuing job opportunities. Please contact us to learn more about her. - Laura Schwartz, Training Coordinator
Networking is Key by Linnea Sowden
During my call center internship I learned that the key to success is networking. My goal is to take the first step in building a relationship between Innovative Packaging Solutions and the companies I call. The phone skills I learned in Customer Service Training have been extremely important to achieving this goal.
Before I make a call, I research the company using Google to find the company website. As I look at the site, I think about what this company provides for customers and what they might need from Innovative Packaging Solutions. I maintain a database on Excel with all the information I can find about the company, including the mailing address, e-mail address, contact name, website, and the types of products or services they provide. Then, I am ready to make a call. With the information I gathered I can direct the conversation and talk about specific services we provide. Even if they say no, I ask if they would like me to mail a brochure incase they think of any companies in their area that might need packaging services. If they would like a brochure, I prepare an envelope with information about our services and a business card. I use Microsoft Word to create address labels and then I mail it off. Then I switch to Outlook to create a contact card and a note for Greg, our Business Specialist, to follow up with them next week.
Even though I do my best to create a good impression when I talk to companies, I still hear a lot of no’s. For every ten people I talk to I know that nine of them will probably say no. Most of them really have no need of packaging or assembly services and so I just move on to the next call because I know somebody is going to say yes.

PRESS RELEASE: NEW EMPLOYEE

Monday, February 28, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Innovative Packaging Solutions InnovativePackagingSolutions.org a Division of Lifetrack Resources LifetrackResources.org is proud to announce and welcome Greg Bauman as its new Business Development Specialist.

Mr. Bauman brings with him over twenty years of experience in the Real Estate and Business Franchising industries. He comes to us from Realty Executives Midwest part of an International Real Estate Franchise, where he served as Vice President for ten years. He has also served as Chair at Realty Executives International for Institutional Marketing for three years.

Mr. Bauman holds a Bachelors of Science from Minnesota State University Mankato and has previously managed several business operations in the United States. We are pleased to have Mr. Bauman on board, and look forward to a prosperous future with him. Greg can be reached at GregB@ChooseIPS.org or 612-760-9393.

About Innovative Packaging Solutions
Innovative Packaging Solutions, a division of Lifetrack Resources, is a nonprofit that provides efficient packaging and assembly services for businesses while providing work adjustment and work transition services for persons with little work experience. To learn more about IPS, visit www.InnovativePackagingSolutions.org

About Lifetrack ResourcesLifetrack Resources in a non-profit human services organization with a mission to work together to develop the strengths within children, families and adults facing the greatest life challenges so that all families and individuals are strong, healthy and productive members of the community. Lifetrack has served the Twin Cities community for more than 60 years; annually helping people create a better life through our focus on Child & Family Healthy Development and Employments & Economic Opportunity. To learn more about Lifetrack Resources, visit www.LifetrackResources.org