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. Bottom line: participants access more employment and career opportunities; employers gain well-trained talent; and the community as a whole thrives.

In addition to full financial support from members of its Board of Directors, two signature grants of the campaign include $2 million from a competitive grant application process by Yield Giving on behalf of national philanthropist Mackenzie Scott, and local support of $525,000 from Nordson Corporation Foundation. More than 150 individuals, corporations and foundations have made significant gifts to date.  Towards Employment is seeking the community’s help to put them over the top of their goal.

Building Towards Employment’s capacity through the Chance to Advance Campaign will provide:

  • scaling of rigorously evaluated programs like the WorkAdvance career pathway model, which includes industry-driven programming, wrap-around services (addressing the social determinants of work such as legal, transportation, housing, childcare, uniforms, credentialing and mental health) and extended job coaching to promote greater independence, economic mobility and access to opportunity,
  • increased infrastructure investments in technology for higher impact and efficiency at all stages of the career pathway,
  • innovations like broader and deeper partnerships with businesses that trust Towards Employment to prepare new/current employees for success and are willing to cover the costs of the services, ensuring program sustainability, and
  • enhanced staff-directed support for program participants, such as a fund to cover participants’ fees and fines, deeper collaborations with community partners to identify affordable housing options, or strengthened behavioral health supports - all to address elements that create barriers to being successful at work.

The benefits of Towards Employment’s growth in capacity are measurable. By increasing the likelihood of career advancement, and fostering gains in hourly wages, these initiatives are anticipated to create a $2 return on investment in participant earnings for every $1 spent.

To support Towards Employment’s Chance to Advance Campaign, learn more about its programming or to get connected to workforce efforts in Cleveland visit https://www.towardsemployment.org/chancetoadvance/

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About Towards Employment: Our mission is 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. Learn more about our work at www.towardsemployment.org.

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