2021 Annual Report
Annual report info here
In 2021, we did some things and they were really good and this is a summary of that!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OUR MISSION
to empower individuals
to achieve and maintain
self-sufficiency
through employment
Towards Employment is a proven leader in workforce development that connects people to careers, which changes people’s lives, advances businesses, and strengthens community in Northeast Ohio.
* New employees within their first 90 days on the job are most susceptible to job loss
LETTER
FROM BOARD PRESIDENT & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CONNECTING MORE PEOPLE TO CAREERS IS GOOD NEWS FOR EVERYONE.
Our Northeast Ohio regional economic vitality depends on connecting people to good jobs. We know we have hurdles to overcome – we see it in the news every day. Consider just these data points: Cleveland is the most economically distressed large city in the U.S. and 75% of its residents live in zip codes with high rates of poverty, joblessness, vacant housing; Cleveland has the highest number of persons in Ohio returning from state prison, at more than 3,000 each year. Involvement with the criminal justice system triggers a 19% decrease in number of weeks worked annually, and 40% reduction in yearly earnings.
But at Towards Employment we see good news too. Results from our rigorously evaluated WorkAdvance model - differentiated by deep employer engagement, comprehensive wraparound supports, and long-term advancement focused coaching – tell us we have a model that works. We know what it takes to connect people coming from a place of limited resources - who may (or may not) have criminal justice involvement or other barriers to employment - to jobs with livable wages and better job quality. In 2018 KeyBank awarded Towards Employment $1 million dollars over three years to strengthen our work in connecting people to careers. KeyBank’s investment is to help TE connect more people to the full career model, deepen existing partnerships in the community, and build up our career coaching team.
Many programs seeking to help un- and under-employed individuals take a case management approach disconnected from business need. We work backwards from skills needed to fill high-demand occupations in targeted industries to help participants find the support they need to remove barriers, build skills, and gain credentials. This includes sector specific screening, job readiness training, career planning, intensive job coaching, technical training, job matching/placement, and supportive and legal services. We offer a menu of services: so participants get the right support at the right time to help them advance into and along a career pathway. Career coaches mentioned by graduates in this report - like Dan, Chelsie, Joan and Jim - are critical.
Is this good news for you? YES! Connecting more people to career pathways enhances the economic mobility of low-income individuals and their families. Increased earnings helps strengthen families and communities. Businesses also benefit from having the right people for the right job, saving on hiring and training costs. Preparing and placing on average 600 people annually into above minimum wage jobs contributes $12 million+ in wages to our local economy. Our graduates are less likely to recidivate, more likely to have stable housing, better able to support their families, and be engaged in their children’s lives. They can buy a car, pay taxes, and maybe even take a family vacation. And when they thrive, they give back: graduates who have advanced into supervisory roles return to speak to classes and hire from Towards Employment. Good news indeed!
We can’t do this without you. Join Key and other committed funders and individuals so we can make more GOOD news for our city.
Brent Carson
Board President
Jill Rizika
Executive Director
WALTER WALKER
I tell everyone I used to have nightmares about my future -
now I have too many good dreams to count!
WALTER'S STORY
“Walter is such a motivating person. He was determined to use the skills that life had anded him so far and make them pay off in his career. When I think of someone who needed a chance to excel – I think that’s ‘Walter!”
-Dan Garvin, Career Coach
When Walter Walker was completing his sentence in Elkton Federal Correctional Institution in the last months of 2020, he was not sure he would make it home. When a close friend, on the verge of going home, died of COVID-19, Walter made a vow to find a chance to go a different way. A fellow inmate had told him that Towards Employment was a chance for people returning to from prison to find work and a future and as soon as he got situated in a halfway home in February 2021, he called TE. He still remembers that the first person he talked to, case manager Greg Reaves asked him “what do you really want from life? – and I almost cried.” He wanted a career, a future, and a chance to be part of his children’s lives.
After career readiness workshop, he identified construction as a career – specifically driving large equipment. With scholarship help from Towards Employment, he obtained a commercial driver’s license during a 5-week course at Great Lakes Trucking. As of July, he began working with a transportation and logistics company and drives trucks currently ferrying asphalt for roadwork. He is making a family sustaining wage and is keeping his vow: his whole family are all so proud to see him working and providing a role model for the community. He says – “call my kids, ask them about me now and they say, ‘he goes to work, he is here when we call, he is present, and we rely on him.’”
Walter is reaching out to others now and says: “Towards Employment is a tool, you put the work in and you get good results. My results? I don’t have nightmares anymore – I have a dream coming true.” Walter is not done. He worked with the legal team at TE to clear up his credit score and is saving to start his own business. He wants to buy a dump truck and build a commercial cleaning business.
RAYSHAWNDA MACLIN
I think of myself as a person who never gives up. That 'never give up' thinking will always be part of my story.

RAYSHAWNDA'S STORY
“Everything that Rayshawnda needed was already in her before walking through our door. She just needed people like Towards Employment to stand by her side and show her the way. Rayshawnda has reminded me of 2 important aspects of life: 1. A little progress each day adds up to huge results, and 2. You can’t beat the person who never gives up!”
-Karla Seese, Career Coach
"I love to read – I just finished Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah. I am impressed by characters who don’t give up – I think of myself as a person who never gives up. That “never give up” thinking will always be part of my story.
In February 2020, I thought my career would begin and end in fast food. I had a criminal record from 2016 and knew that no one would hire me. I had tried to get job on my own, only to discouraged again and again – being told – “You just don’t meet our requirements.” I was as close to giving up as I have ever been. But I was a young mother, and I wanted so much more for my son. But I could not think of another backup plan for my life – other than to keep filling out job applications, being turned down and having to rely on benefits from the county.
I heard about Towards Employment from a friend. And I thought – “this could be my chance.” I had a secret dream to be an Ultrasound Technician; and I thought “this is it – I can find my dream job.” At orientation I learned right away that my dream job would have to wait – with my record, this is not an option for me right now. It hurt, but like I said, I never give up. I thought – this will give me a plan. If I can do this, I can have security for my son. And I signed up to start career readiness workshop.
It was winter. It was cold. And the daycare where I would leave my son did not open early enough for me to get to workshop on time. I had this chance - and I was not giving up on it! I went and talked to the staff at the daycare – and I got them to open early so I could make my bus to get to Towards Employment on time! I was nominated to be the TE Champion for my workshop class – they said I was a person who always asked questions, shared my knowledge, and helped others.
My resume still needed help after workshop. My career coach asked me to consider a paid work experience to build up my resume and experience to get ready for a career. And I said yes. I actually enjoyed my job with this company and found I really enjoyed customer service. I am good at helping other succeed. But then …. the pandemic hit. I was about to get hired fulltime, but the company cut back. My son’s daycare closed. For three months, I was not sure how I would keep moving forward on my career plan.
After three months, daycare opened back up and I took a job doing factory work to help make ends meet. I knew this was temporary, it was not what I wanted to do to build my career. But it was what I had to do - because of the pandemic. My career coach at Towards Employment had never stopped checking in – transportation was difficult, and TE helped me to keep getting to my job. After about a year, I was ready to get back to customer service and keep building my career.
My career coach told me that there was a position open as a receptionist that would be a good fit – but that it started as a paid work experience for $2 less an hour than I was making. But they were really looking to hire after the work experience was completed. If I was hired, it would be a pay increase and benefits. And my career coach told me they were a company with a good track record for growth. So I thought about it; and I accepted the position.
I enjoy my work as a receptionist at PC’s for People. I am learning to see myself taking the next step to be a team lead and then a supervisor. I have come a long way. I have a plan B, and a Plan C. My family network is stronger; my son’s future is brighter. And I know that I may be discouraged sometimes – but I do not QUIT. I am not a quitter.
I still am working with Towards Employment to see if there will ever be a way to expunge my record. I still dream about a career in health care. I am fighting hard to find a better place for my family to live and grow. I still want so much more for my family, but I have come a long way from where I started.”
TE BOARD
2021
PRESIDENT
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SECRETARY
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TREASURER
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Jill C. Rizika, Executive Director
Towards Employment
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DIRECTORS
Kate Terrell, President
KeyBank
Brent Carson, Vice President
University Hospitals
Kelly M. Manderfield, Secretary
Cleveland Metroparks
Thomas Lang, Treasurer
JP Morgan Chase
John Allerding
Thompson Hine
Tom Bechtel
Price Waterhouse Cooper LLP
Douglas A. Benjamin
Brookfield Properties
Brent Blouch
Swagelok
Jeffrey M. Boardman
PNC Investments
Anita Edwards
US Bank
Jack Goldwood
Tucker Ellis LLP
Lessie Milton Jones
Dominion Energy
Mark Mazanec
The Sherwin-Williams Company
John Reynolds
Retired Executive
Barry Royko
Tri-C Organizational Development
Fatimah Satterwhite
United Health Care Group
Tracey Turnbull
Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP
Melanie L. Webber
Fisher Phillips
Amy Woods
The Wendy’s Company
Stacey Zeleznik
Nordson Corporation
Nan Zieleniec
Zieleniec Consulting LLC
Jill Rizika
Executive Director
Towards Employment
ASSOCIATE BOARD
2021
PRESIDENT
Madeline Dennis
Tucker Ellis
VICE PRESIDENT
Robert Hillow
PolyOne
TREASURER
Joseph Berndt
Office of Solicitor at US Department of Labor
SECRETARY
Katie Coyne
CBiz
Jessica Whale
Feasibility Research Group
Commercial Real Estate Research Assistant
Lindsay Smith
Recovery Resources
Agency Clinician/Assessor
Alyssa Holznagel
Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
Passport Care Manager
Megan Killgallon
PNC
Fiduciary Advisor
Delante Spencer Thomas
Cuyahoga County
Deputy Inspector General
Timothy Chai
Lew, Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith
Associate
Corey Sparks
Benesh, Friedlander, Coplan,& Aronoff
Associate
Michael Krause
Cleveland Clinic
Doctor
Germayne Shepherd
Ashanti Muhammed
BPL Plasma
Phlebotomist
Ata Adeel
City of Cleveland
Project Manager
Darkeita Lester
Youth Opportunities Unlimited
Program Assistant
Megan Coffman
PNC
Treasury Management
Account Manager
Kelly McGarrigle
The Sherwin Williams
HR Compliance Supervisor
Tamara Gurchik
Legal Works/ Law Office of Tamara Gurhik
Attorney
TE STAFF
Bishara Addison
Dondreya Allen
Pedro Anaya
Jonathan Anderson
Jennifer Angelo
Ousama Awad
Lanasia Baldwin
Adrian Barrett
William Basel
Joseph Bayhurst
Valerie Bell
Margeaux Biche
Linda Briggs
Brenda Brown
Gabriel Brunow
Sheila Burt
Leronza Campbell
Ronnie Cannon
Joan Crosby
Charles Dickerson
Renee Ditchburn
Carol Dove
Stephen Foglio
Chelsie Froning
Mark Gallagher
Haidee Garcia
Shaina Garcia
Edward Garven
Ebony George
Robert Giebel
Elizabeth Grace
April Grant
Melanie Green
Erica Hardy
Kathryn Harlow
Yvette Hernandez
Stephanie Herriott
Anita Hill
Brooke Hodge
Betty Holnapy
Laketa Jackson-Burts
Daniel James
Karen Jones
Vernetta King
Benjamin Krutko
Tara Lamont
Deborah Lucci
James Madden
Glenda Mancilla
Coleene Mcdevitt
Lana Mendis
Jill Meyer
Chelsea Mills
Ashley Minor
Robert Moore
Roslyn Quarto
Gregory Reaves
Melissa Riccio
Jill Rizika
Jonathan Rodriguez
Ruben Rodriguez
Sandra Rosado
Lashon Sawyer
Emma Schapp
Adaora Schmiedl
Jenna Schroeder
Karla Seese
Stella Shepard
Robin Smalley
Cynthia Smith
Chireeta Somerville
James Stubbins
Jeffrey Stupiansky
Lynette Thomas
Fawntaine Walls
Staci Wampler
Lagina White
Agatha Williams
Jessica Williams
Colleen Yugulis
CORE TEAM
Bishara Addison
Pedro Anaya
Jonathan Anderson
Jennifer Angelo
Sam Awad
Alisha Bagley
Gloria Baker
William Basel
Jay Bayhurst
Kim Bell
Valerie Bell
Orlando Boyd
Linda Briggs
Sheila Burt
Ronnie Cannon
Tracy Carr
Karen Carter-Bell
Bill Cline
Joan Crosby
Charles Dickerson
Carol Dove
Donald Dupree
Stephen Foglio
Chelsie Froning
Mark Gallagher
Haidee Garcia
Dan Garven
Erica George
Bob Giebel
Patrick Gillen
Beth Grace
Melanie Green
April Grant
Kathryn Harlow
Grace Heffernan
Stephanie Herriott
Anita Hill
Brooke Hodge
Betty Holnapy
Karen Jones
Vernetta King
Janae Kinney
Benjamin Krutko
Deborah Lucci
James Madden
Anthony Massaro
Coleene McDevitt
Chelsea Mills
Robert Moore
Jill Rizika
Alicia Ross
Adaora Schmiedl
Jenna Schroeder
Karla Seese
Stella Shepard
Robin Smalley
Colleen Smith
Cynthia Smith
James Stubbins
Jeffrey Stupiansky
Lynette Thomas
Staci Wampler
LaGina White
Jessica Williams
TE VOLUNTEERS
Bishara Addison
Pedro Anaya
Jonathan Anderson
Jennifer Angelo
Sam Awad
Alisha Bagley
Gloria Baker
William Basel
Jay Bayhurst
Kim Bell
Valerie Bell
Orlando Boyd
Linda Briggs
Sheila Burt
Ronnie Cannon
Tracy Carr
Karen Carter-Bell
Bill Cline
Joan Crosby
Charles Dickerson
Carol Dove
Donald Dupree
Stephen Foglio
Chelsie Froning
Mark Gallagher
Haidee Garcia
Dan Garven
Erica George
Bob Giebel
Patrick Gillen
Beth Grace
Melanie Green
April Grant
Kathryn Harlow
Grace Heffernan
Stephanie Herriott
Anita Hill
Brooke Hodge
Betty Holnapy
Karen Jones
Vernetta King
Janae Kinney
Benjamin Krutko
Deborah Lucci
James Madden
Anthony Massaro
Coleene McDevitt
Chelsea Mills
Robert Moore
Jill Rizika
Alicia Ross
Adaora Schmiedl
Jenna Schroeder
Karla Seese
Stella Shepard
Robin Smalley
Colleen Smith
Cynthia Smith
James Stubbins
Jeffrey Stupiansky
Lynette Thomas
Staci Wampler
LaGina White
Jessica Williams
2021 DONORS
donor text - pull event donors and add
2021 FUNDERS
JPMC
ONIEL
DEACONESS FOUNDATION
AEC
VERIZON
TRUIST
Reinberger-Campaign
United Way
Saint Luke’s Foundation: Saint Lukes
KKR
Deaconess
TCF Bank
Veterans Fund
Bank of America
Nord Family
FFEF
Kelvin & Eleanor Smith
Westfield Insurance Foundation
Fifth Third
Fowler
Higley
Nordson
Third Fedreal
Thomas White
Abington
Bruening Foundation
Eaton
AEC
Buckeye Health
Ginn Foundation, Supporting FDN of TCF
Huntington Bank Foundation
Murphy Family
Thatcher
The Callahan Foundation
Union Home
US Bank
United Way
Cleveland Votes
Buckeye Health
Ginn Foundation, Supporting FDN of TCF
Huntington Bank Foundation
Murphy Family
Thatcher
The Callahan Foundation
Union Home
US Bank
United Way
Cleveland Votes
CFFE
Dominion Foundation
The Fred A Lennon Charitable Trust
Fund for Our Economic Future
REI STATEMENT
REI STATEMENT HERE
A CHANCE TO ADVANCE
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