Save the Date for Friday, October 2, 2026

For 50 years, Towards Employment has helped Clevelanders build pathways out of poverty through the power of work — connecting thousands of people to careers and advancement opportunities, while strengthening our region’s workforce.

Join us for a signature event at the Downtown Cleveland Marriott Hotel at Key Tower, celebrating 50 Years of TE - our history, impact, and future. TE's 50th Anniversary Gala will be a night to remember - mark your calendars, you don't want to miss this!

Pre-Register for the Gala

50 years of connecting people to careers -

20 years of celebrations.

Not only are we celebrating our 50 year anniversary, but this year also marks 2 decades of Towards Employment annual events!

Every year, we host a one-of-a-kind fundraising event full of amazing entertainment, great food, and incredible guests! This year's event - our anniversary gala - will be unparalleled. Stay tuned and pre-register for TE's Gala to hear updates like when tickets go on sale or when raffle items are ready to preview.

What can you look forward to?

Exciting In-Person & Silent Auctions

Whether you can join us at the Marriott in downtown, in the comfort of your home, or perhaps on a tropical beach - you can find unique and exciting items and experiences to bid on at our in-person and silent auctions! Stay tuned to preview auction items soon.

A Chance to Win Big

Every year Towards Employment hosts an incredible raffle opportunity where anyone, anywhere, can win! Can't make it to the gala? Raffle tickets are a great way to support TE from near and far. Stay tuned to learn about what exciting experience you'll have the chance to win.

Pre-register to get updates on auction items, raffles, and tickets!

Pre-Register for TE's 50th Anniversay Gala

Gala Sponsorship Opportunities

See Sponsorship Info

Why partner with Towards Employment?

Align your brand with Towards Employment’s reputation as a local, and national leader in workforce development.
Promote your brand to individuals, businesses, thought leaders, and partners across Cleveland and within Towards Employment’s network of supporters:

22,000

email subscribers

43,000+ Annual

social media reach

8,500 Monthly

website visits

300+ Employer Partners

across sectors

100% of proceeds support coaching, case management, technical training, career matching, and other supports.

Towards Employment’s mission is championing the potential of every person to succeed in a rewarding career and work to strengthen policies that provide pathways to opportunity for all workers. We get this done through skill development, comprehensive support, innovative practices, and strong employer partnerships.

All of our programs and services are rooted in a rigorously evaluated, industry-driven career pathway model with proven results. Individuals who come to Towards Employment receive job readiness training, options for technical training, work experience, and assistance with job placement as well as intensive case management, supportive services and post-employment coaching for up to two years.

Since our founding in 1976, more than 200,000 people have benefited, leading to improved economic health for our whole community.

We invite you to make a difference.

For more information or to sponsor, please contact:

Adaora Schmiedl

Phone: (216) 696-7310
aschmiedl@towardsemployment.org

Learn more about what TE is doing for TE@50

Past Events

Every year, Towards Employment hosts our Annual Event to help raise funds to connect people to careers!

2025 Grand Opening

We were thrilled to welcome you – along with 200 other guests - to the TE Grand Opening on May 14, 2025.

We hope that you felt the pride and passion we have in the work we do, our new and expanded space, and in the neighborhood we call home.

We invite you to watch the Towards Employment video premiered that night – Knocking Down Barriers, as well as explore other videos, and the photo gallery highlighting the evening.

Thank you for supporting Towards Employment!

Learn More

2024 Annual Event

The Work & Reentry Experience at A Chance to Advance 2024 was an unforgettable, impactful performance - this musical and storytelling fusion featured a partnership with Dominick Farinacci and Towards Employment.

Learn More

2023 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 18th annual event, A Chance To Advance: Pay it Forward, on June 7th at the Agora Theatre!

The event highlighted the premiere of a unique, storytelling performance from TE Alumni in partnership with Dominick Farinacci of the Modern Warrior Experience. The Agora Theatre also hosted TE's Hometown Hero Award announcement, our live auction, a beautiful singing performance, and more.

Learn More

2022 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 17th annual event, A Chance To Advance, on June 3rd at Music Box Supper Club! The event included a concert by a local CLE band: Blue Lunch, drawing of the Chance to Dream Raffle, and the Take A Chance on CLE silent auction. This was Toward Employment's second hybrid experience where guests attended both in person and virtually! Click the button below to view videos and photos from this event.

Learn More

2021 Annual Event

Toward Employment celebrated their 16th annual event, A Chance To Advance, on September 10th 2021 at Music Box Supper Club! The event included a concert by a local CLE band: Blue Lunch, drawing of the Chance to Dream Raffle, and the Take A Chance on CLE silent auction. This was Toward Employment's first hybrid experience where guests attended both in person and virtually! Click the button below to view videos and photos from this event.

Learn More

2020 Annual Event

2020 was a difficult year for many. COVID cases spiked, businesses continued to shut their doors, and the unemployment rate kept climbing, but we KNEW we had to find a way to fundraise.

And then, an idea was born...TE's Got Talent, our first-ever virtual event! While we couldn't gather as a whole, people were able to join from the safety of their homes. Our donors, volunteers, staff, and friends really showed up to support Cleveland's workforce talent when it meant the most.

Learn More

2019 Annual Event

Every year, Towards Employment helps over 2,000 people get in the game with a personal career pathway – a game plan to prepare for a job, get a job, keep a job, and advance into a career.

On Friday, September 20, at the Westin Cleveland Downtown, we highlighted Clevelanders who got in the game – those who found long-term employment with opportunities to advance.

Learn More