Towards Employment Celebrates Heroes at 6th Annual Benefit

Thank you to our wonderful supporters! With your help, our 6th annual benefit was our most successful yet, raising more than $146,000 for Towards Employment programs and services.

The event would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors:

                                          Forest City

                                KeyBank      Nordson

              AT&T     Medical Mutual      Sherwin-Williams

Cleveland Public Power      Cuyahoga Community College
   Dix & Eaton     Dollar Bank      Ferro      Grant Thornton
HSB Architects      Porter Wright      RPM     Third Federal      
     Thompson Hine      Tucker Ellis & West      US Bank


We especially thank The Fund For Our Economic Future and Metal Fabricating Corporation, two organizations who were recognized as Towards Employment Heroes at the event.

We celebrate The Fund for our Economic Future as a “regional hero” for securing national support for an innovative program that will not only elevate the skills of entry-level and unemployed workers but will also meet the needs of growing employers..

The Fund, along with national partners, selected Towards Employment as the lead agency to oversee implementation of a $5.5 million grant for the new WorkAdvance initiative. The project will serve 1,000 Northeast Ohio residents entering or advancing in the manufacturing or healthcare sectors over the next five years.

WorkAdvance is a regional collaboration of organizations made possible by the federal Social Innovation Fund, with additional support from the Fund for Our Economic Future.

“Training low-wage workers to make a living wage is critical for our people and our regional economy,” says Kurt Karakul, chairman of the Fund’s talent committee and the President and Executive Director of the Third Federal Foundation. “Any training must include employers as partners. Towards Employment brings those partners to the table … and can address barriers faced by low-wage workers before and after employment, like transportation and child care, so they can keep the job.”

“We honor the Fund for bringing workforce development agencies into the economic development discussion,” says Jill Rizika, our Executive Director. “They understand that sustainable economic development happens when we invest in the people of our community, including low-income under- or unemployed individuals looking for career opportunities in growth sectors. WorkAdvance is such an investment: it will meet business needs by helping participants develop the work ethic and credentials demanded by the marketplace—now and throughout their career.”

WorkAdvance gives Towards Employment the opportunity to put our new strategic plan into action – with a sharper focus on employer engagement, credentialed training, and even stronger connections among community resources.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to create growth and impact families in our community,” says Karakul.

Since 1932, Metal Fabricating has been an industry leader in manufacturing metal fabricated boxes, cabinets, bins, and specialty products. With humble beginning in the family garage, this homegrown Cleveland company is a stable presence In the community.

Metal Fabricating Corporation earns our “hero status” hands down for hiring 26 Towards Employment candidates since January 2011! But there’s more. This third-generation, family-owned and operated company is the perfect “gateway to pathway” employer, providing low-skill entry level jobs that open the door to opportunity.

“Metal Fabricating has been one of our best partners for employing people with little or no work experience, particularly in manufacturing,” says Debbie Lucci, Towards Employment Career Coach. “They care about people and are great communicators.”

Metal Fabricating hires entry-level employees and offers over-time pay, opportunities for advancement and benefits . “They treat employees very well. They listen and take their needs into account,” explains Debbie.

“Towards Employment has been very valuable to us,” says Bob Golias, VP of Manufacturing. “The employees they train have the ability to keep up with the pace in manufacturing and they are consistent with attendance. That’s hard to find.”

“These employees are very appreciative of the opportunity – they give 110%,” says Rob Fowler and Tom Hammond who hire many of our clients. “We have much less turnover now.”

Rob and Tom appreciate not having to search through applications and spend time on the phone screening candidates. They simply email Towards Employment for recommendations, knowing they’ve been screened and prepared. “Debbie Lucci is my own personal recruiter,” says Rob.

Metal Fabricating is also eligible for federal tax credits after one year of employing particular clients, including who had a felony record, were released in the past year, or on public assistance or food stamps.

All around, it’s a win-win partnership.

We also thank the table sponsors, in-kind donors, auction donors, client ambassadors, event planning committee, staff, and volunteers who made this wonderful event possible. You are all Heroes to the clients of Towards Employment!