Press Release: Towards employment announces chance to advance campaign with $4.9m raised to date

For Immediate Release Media Contact:  Adaora Schmiedl, 216-696-7310, aschmiedl@towardsemployment.org November 20, 2024 – CLEVELAND – Towards Employment is launching the public phase of its $5.2M Chance to Advance capacity-building campaign with nearly $5M raised to date. These transformational funds add the capacity that will help more Clevelanders find family-sustaining jobs, navigate life’s obstacles, and secure long-term careers.…

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Policy Pulse – Fall 2024

Timely workforce thoughts and actions that advance Towards Employment’s Policy Action Plan – to promote economic mobility, especially for those most impacted by systemic racism, through education and advocacy for a more equitable workforce system where everyone has access to family sustaining wages and quality jobs.

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Alisha Brooks-Hall

Alisha Brooks-Hall is standing tall. She is a young mother almost through college, on her way to becoming a social worker. As a graduate of one of the pre-release programs that Towards Employment offers, she started her second career journey while incarcerated. She did not let grief and loss get the best of her, even though it seemed in initial job searches all she heard was no. Alisha’s goal is to help people returning home from prison to create networks and find resources, so they can find strength to get back up and move forward.

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Jaymone Whittaker

At 16 Jaymone Whittaker did think that his life could include a career. In fact, he almost lost his life in the summer of his sixteenth year. After serving time in the correctional system as a teen, Jaymone thought that loss was all life had to offer – he was numb. Nothing made him feel alive. But in the middle of an assessment interview at Towards Employment, a case manager seemed to know how he was feeling – he told him that he had been in prison himself. At that point Jaymone knew that there could be more to his life. He has worked hard to become a young adult Career Coach – “I want to be in a position to have positive impact – so other people can avoid the road I had to take.”

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Honoring systems change in workforce development

Deborah Vesy Systems Change Champion Award finalists recognized for inspiring advancement in workforce ecosystem Published October 28, 2024 Article by Judy Stringer Read the full article on Crain’s Cleveland Business Cathy Belk needs only an instant to recite the characteristics that make her predecessor, Deborah Vesy, a champion in regional workforce development. Vesy, who retired…

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Rep. Brewer and Suspended Licenses

Millions of Ohioans are being stripped of their right to drive due to their debt – for reasons unrelated to dangerous driving. Despite being unable to drive to work (or search for work) individuals can’t reinstate their license until all fines and fees are paid off. Why should someone be punished if they don’t have…

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Success stories: Five inspiring stories and live jazz at free Towards Employment event

Article published October 22, 2024 Read the full article at FreshWater Towards Employment (TE), the non-profit workforce development agency that champions the potential of every person—regardless of their backgrounds—and prepares them to gain meaningful employment—will celebrate the power of Cleveland’s people with “A Work & Reentry Experience” on Monday, Oct. 28 at the Fatima Center and the Hough branch…

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