The WorkPlace Mobilizer Newsletter

April 2022

Program Highlights

We need you! Seeking Summer Worksites for Young Adults

Is your business looking to hire for the summer? The WorkPlace is seeking employers in Southwest Connecticut to provide summer worksites for our youth in the Summer Earn and Learn program. Hosting a youth comes at no cost to employers, as The WorkPlace provides the salary for the entirety of the seven-week program.

By becoming a worksite, your company will give young adults a meaningful work experience. You help them gain independence, learn work skills, and how to be part of a team while earning money over the summer. Past employers have found the program to be a valuable way to embark upon projects they otherwise wouldn’t have time for and a way to help develop the next generation of workers.

To learn more about having a young adult participant support your business contact, Carmen Nieves, at cnieves@workplace.org.

Tinisha Garnett, Program Director at the Glenbrook Learning Center in Stamford hosted one of our participants last summer.

View her testimonial below:

The Career Hub - Summer Youth Earn and Learn Program - Host Agency Success Story

Apply Now - Summer Earn & Learn Employment Program for Young Adults

The CareerHub is now accepting applications for the 2022 Summer Earn & Learn Employment Program. The program is available to young adults (14-21) living in one of the 20 towns that The WorkPlace serves. The program is an opportunity for young adults to earn wages during summer vacation, hone workforce skills, and receive valuable experience while exploring various occupational paths. Participants are paid 20 hours weekly at minimum wage for up to seven weeks. The program also provides year-round employment support for youth.

Online applications will be accepted through April 20, 2022, at 4 pm EST.

Click Here to Apply

Tickets On Sale Now for Purse-suit of Success!

Tickets are now on sale for Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County (DFSMFC) annual benefit, Purse-suit of Success! The cocktail party event will take place at Boca Oyster Bar on May 10th from 5:30 pm-7:30 pm. Boca Oyster Bar is located at Steelpoint Harbor in Bridgeport and offers fresh New England fares and stunning water views. This exciting event will feature a premiere purse auction, client success stories, and an assortment of silent auction items.

Karen Dubois-Walton, PhD will receive the evening's Denise “Denny” Davidoff Empowerment Award for her commitment to diversity and equity. For the past 14 years, Karen has led Elm City Communities/the Housing Authority of New Haven through a rapid transformation. Karen was raised by Civil Rights-era activists who instilled in her the values that she carries with her every day and has brought these values to her work in government and public service for the last 25 years. As DFSMFC begins to expand operations into New Haven County, Karen has been instrumental in making that transition possible.

The Denise "Denny" Davidoff Award recognizes and celebrates exceptional champions of gender equality and women's advancement. Denise or "Denny" as she was known, was dedicated to empowering people in the workforce, marketplace, and community. Her efforts and commitment to the workforce of Southwestern Connecticut helped grow The WorkPlace from a local, community non-profit to a national leader in workforce development with more than twenty job training programs for a wide variety of jobless and marginalized clients, including the Dress for Success program.

Tickets are $85 each and are available for sale here. Companies interested in sponsorship opportunities or donating a service or auction item should contact Todd Munn, tmunn@workplace.org .

Cyber-Seniors

Older workers are using technology now more than ever to stay connected with family and friends. People often think that older adults do not want to learn new technology, but they are very eager and willing to learn. This negative attitude can hinder job opportunities for many seniors who are looking to advance in their career or reenter the workforce. To combat this, MaturityWorks has partnered with Cyber-Seniors to train young people in the CareerHub program to be tech mentors for senior citizens and help them become more computer literate.

Through this new initiative, funded by Webster Bank, young adults in the CareerHub program will partner with seniors and assist them with learning new technologies and troubleshooting any technical issues they are experiencing. Seniors will participate in computer literacy webinars on how to navigate their Chromebook (provided by the program) and utilize digital tools such as Zoom, Google Suite products, search engines and social media sites such as LinkedIn. They will also learn how to use these products to create a resume and apply for jobs. These webinars will be provided by Cyber-Senior staff and mentor volunteers from the CareerHub.

This mentor opportunity will help bridge the technology divide and ensure our seniors can access and participate in virtual training opportunities, feel more confident in their computer skills, and improve job prospects. CareerHub participants also benefit from this opportunity as they will be able to use this experience on their resume and will also gain valuable interpersonal skills.

Celebrating Women's History Month

Francis Perkins - A trailblazer in the labor movement

Women's history month celebrates women's contributions to history, culture, and society. Women have had tremendous impact and role in the labor movement but are often overlooked for their achievements. Women like Francis Perkins have been champions for better workplace conditions and paved the way for women to enter male dominated fields. She was a trailblazer in public service becoming the first women to serve in any presidential U.S. Cabinet.

Learn more about Francis Perkins life below:

Frances Perkins: First Female Presidential Cabinet Member | 7 Days Of Genius | MSNBC

Client Success Story

ApprenticeshipWorks

Skyler Curcio started her manufacturing training in high school with Housatonic Community College’s (HCC) College Connection program after her woodworking teacher recognized her talent. After graduating from high school, Skyler enrolled in HCC’s Advanced Manufacturing Certificate program where she worked closely with ApprenticeshipWorks program staff to create a resume, practice interviewing skills, and find an apprenticeship opportunity.

Skyler graduated from the Advanced Manufacturing Program in May of 2021 and today is working in an apprenticeship program at Bigelow Tea where she is learning to become a mechanic. The first two months of her on-the-job training were subsidized through the Youth Apprenticeship Readiness Grant (YARG).

“I heard about the YARG program and ApprenticeshipWorks at an information session held at Housatonic Community College. I did not know anything about apprenticeship, but it sounded like a great way to start a career. I had always figured that after graduation I would start in a low-level position and work my way up eventually. When I signed up, my Case Manager, Libby Johnson, told me about apprenticeship and how I would learn a trade through paid on-the-job training. The hours I was in class at Housatonic would count towards my apprenticeship classroom hours. I was really drawn to the mentorship I would receive as soon as I started as an apprentice.

I attended The WorkPlace’s Manufacturing Workforce Readiness Bootcamp right after graduation and started working with Employer Specialist Jason Galassi to update my resume and explore different occupations. Jason matched me up with a great company that was looking for an apprentice. The staff provided a lot of relief for the many things that I thought would hold me back. They made me feel like it was possible. I cannot describe to you the feeling of having things figured out and having a plan. I started working at Bigelow Tea in July, and a few weeks later was formally registered with the State of Connecticut as a Mechanic Apprentice. I work in the machine shop and am learning how to weld. One of my biggest concerns was that I would be the only female fighting to prove that I belong and could work alongside and learn from a room full of men. At Bigelow, it is inspiring to see how many women are on the shop floor. At age 19, I am well on my way to having a lifelong career. Within the next two years, I will be able to buy a new car and move out on my own. I will have no student debt, and that will bring me independence. The path I took was just one way to do it. But I am so glad that The WorkPlace is here to help me along the journey.”

Meet The WorkPlace Team - Employee Spotlight

Ashley Holtkamp

Manager of Diversity, Inclusion and Professional Development

Name: Ashley Holtkamp

Where are you from? New Bedford, MA

How long have you been with The WorkPlace? 3 and a half years – September 10, 2018

What is your role at The WorkPlace? Manager of Diversity, Inclusion, and Professional Development

What are some of your responsibilities?

In my role, I am responsible for promoting and developing training programs to enhance our employees’ understanding of diversity and inclusion issues, the importance of workplace wellness, as well as keeping them up-to-date with workforce development topics.

How does The WorkPlace support a diverse and inclusive environment?

The WorkPlace supports a diverse and inclusive environment by empowering our employees to be involved in different initiatives and programs which allow them to be connected with people from various backgrounds. This gives our employees the opportunity to establish a sense of belonging, empathy and understanding of the demographics we serve.

How has your career grown since starting at The WorkPlace?

When I first came on board, I worked with several of our offices to provide training on workforce development topics necessary for office operations. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, I have worked with a number of individuals to provide staff with daily virtual presentations on topics ranging from diversity and inclusion, wellness, and workforce development to creating month-long virtual celebrations for Black History Month and Women’s History Month. The biggest change for me is going from speaking in a room to 20 people max to speaking on Zoom to 50 –100 plus people.

How would your family or friends describe you in three words?

Determined, Hardworking, Funny