About SEEC
How the center operates
SEEC now operates exclusively from its office at the Arlington Mill Community Center, Suite 422.
The office has a sign-up sheet that workers fill-in upon arrival.
If a potential employer calls our office with simple tasks to be accomplished where no specific skills are required, workers are selected by the order of appearance on the sign-up sheet.
If workers with specific skills are needed, such as carpentry, masonry, framing, painting and drywall, SEEC can help match the appropriate worker to the employer if requested.
SEEC’s services are free for both workers and employers, though voluntary donations are accepted
The Shirlington Employment And Education Centre (SEEC) was established in 2000 to help day laborer find employment. It started with a small office at the corner of south 27th street and nelson street in Arlington’s Shirlington community. On October 2003, SEEC took oversight responsibility for the pavilion located across the street from the Weenie Beenie. On March 1, 2020, the SEEC office was relocated to the Arlington Mill Community center at 909 S. Dinwiddie Street, Suite 422, Arlington, VA 22204. The pavilion that opened in 2003 was closed on December 31, 2020.
Since the beginning, SEEC’s bilingual staff and volunteers have matched day laborers with employers who are in need of temporary labor. While most day laborers have limited skills, there are some with excellent skills for moving jobs, landscape and painting. Workers are expected to complete the tasks requested to the best of their ability and employers are expected to be fair and reasonable. The work to be performed can vary from minor construction work to yard work, domestic services to handy-man related jobs. If there is a need for a job to be done, SEEC can find a worker!
Over the years, SEEC has obtained donations from local churches, foundations and from individuals to provide food and rental assistance to the day laborers during the fall and winter months. SEEC also offers two training programs for immigrant women. Classes are offered to teach women cleaning houses to utilize GREEN cleaning products when cleaning homes in Northern Virginia. To date a total of 150 women completed the training and over 70% of them have found employment. SEEC also provides training for immigrant who want to start their own business.
Over the years, SEEC has received donations to provide food and rental assistance to day laborers during the winter months. The support has come from the Arlington Community Foundation, the Washington Forrest Foundations, and from Arlington Thrive.
SEEC has enjoyed the support of several faith groups in Arlington, including Rock Spring Congressional United Church of Christ, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, Calloway United Methodist Church, and the Church of the Covenant, PCUSA. For almost ten years, bag lunches have been provided to the day laborers for a combined value of several thousand dollars each year.
SEEC has also received donations to purchase over 150 pairs of gloves and caps annually to give to the day laborers who stand outdoors numerous hours each day during the fall and winter months in the cold weather seeking employment.