Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI)

With a regional economy increasingly driven by information technology (IT) and communications, a demand for better-skilled technology workers in the greater Washington region has emerged. This demand provides DC residents with an opportunity to obtain technology jobs that provide meaningful career pathways and wages that promote self-sufficiency.

The Regional Jobs Initiative (RJI) is an information-technology focused workforce initiative developed collaboratively by four Washington metropolitan area non-profit organizations: A Greater Washington, in cooperation with The Foundation for Educational Innovation, DC Agenda, and Potomac Knowledge Way. RJI was designed to provide a link between employers and future technology workers and has lead to the development of a curriculum that is used today at D.C. Link & Learn to prepare District teenagers and adults for jobs in the regional information technology industry.
For more information about DC Link and Learn’s Programs please link here.

RJI helped to lay the groundwork from which the Workforce Organizations for Regional Collaboration (WORC) has now grown. As an organizing participant of WORC, A Greater Washington continues to be involved in the endeavor to bring together employers and job seekers from around the region to expand employment opportunities.

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Emerging Leaders Initiative

In our Emerging Leaders Initiative, we are identifying young neighborhood activists in their 20s and 30s to help prepare them for their leadership responsibilities. Our Fellows program will build citizenship skills, provide access to technology, strengthen their support networks, and expand their access to resources.

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Regional Website

The Washington Metropolitan Area is stuck in a decade's long "solution war" over growth, economic development, and many other policy issues. Without broad scale discussions on our regional issues the result will be continued policy gridlock. Meanwhile, the region's quality of life worsens and other regions gain a competitive advantage.

A regional website to help us build an informed constituency for the region. The site will use the newest technologies to foster regional conversation and collaboration among the residents of Maryland, Virginia and the District. Residents will have the tools they need to press for responsible action on the major problems facing the metropolitan Washington region.

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Fields of Dreams

Many of the District’s school children are at left at loose ends at the close of the school day. After school programs not only provide students with the opportunity to continue their education, be the activities academic, athletic or social, but also provide a safe and constructive place for young people to spend their free time.

A Fields of Dreams Initiative in partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Dialogue and the Fannie Mae Foundation will provide after-school programs in District elementary schools that will combine academic enhancement, citizenship development, and baseball instruction.

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Boundary Crossers

An annual Boundary Crossers Award to recognize the accomplishments of those who have demonstrated the insight, energy, and courage to make positive change by reaching out across the boundaries that too often divide us.

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Livable Communities

As our region evolves and develops we should not sacrifice the livability of the area. To date, unplanned and unchecked development patterns have contributed to the congestion, and stresses in our region.

A Greater Washington is working in partnership with the Smart Growth Alliance (including Urban Land Institute, Coalition for Smarter Growth, Greater Washington Board of Trade, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and the Metropolitan Washington Builders Council) to bring private and civic leaders together to address the growth and mobility challenges faced by our region.

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