New Funding Will Help Leading National Workforce Organization
Meet Goal to Serve 10,000 People Each Year by 2033
NEW
YORK, Aug. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- STRIVE, a
leading national workforce development organization, celebrates 40
years of impact in 2024 as it expands to new sites and cities, and
adds significant new sources of funding. This growth is helping
STRIVE mark progress toward its goal of helping 10,000 people each
year by 2033 to achieve upward mobility and financial
empowerment.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:
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"2024 has been a banner year as we continue to expand to other
cities across the U.S., creating a pathway to economic opportunity
and empowerment for thousands of people facing systemic barriers to
quality employment," said STRIVE President and CEO Phil Weinberg. "Our 76% employment placement
rate for our graduates is a testament to the grit and determination
of our students and the support of our generous donors, dedicated
staff, alumni and partners."
With the recent backlash against DEI initiatives, and the
continued fight for social justice, the need to bridge the
opportunity gap for those who are systemically disconnected from
opportunity is urgent. Most significantly, individuals who are
justice-impacted, a disproportionate percentage of whom are Black
men and other people of color, face the steepest obstacles to
employment and mobility. STRIVE provides free of charge
job training and clearly defined career pathways for individuals
who are determined to succeed, despite multiple obstacles,
including housing and food insecurity and lack of transportation.
In addition, STRIVE's Women's Empowerment Initiative addresses the
complex barriers disproportionately faced by Black women and other
women of color who seek career opportunity and economic mobility,
STRIVE graduate LaShawn speaks about the impact of the
program on her life.
Launching New Sites
In July, STRIVE celebrated the graduation of 20 students from
its newest location in Brooklyn, New
York, including John
Draper, who recently completed a lengthy prison term and who
has already secured an environmental services position in the
New York-area healthcare
system.
As he told his peers at the graduation, "Success isn't about
chance, it's about preparation." John said he hopes to be an
inspiration to others who have been impacted by incarceration and
the justice system by showing that with help from STRIVE, and
personal commitment, it is possible to change the direction of your
life.
The Brooklyn pilot was fueled
by a generous donation from the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation's
Social Justice Fund, led by philanthropists and owners of the
Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, Joe
Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai. The
grant supports STRIVE's signature Career Path workforce training
program, which provides occupational training, job search skills
and placement assistance, with emphasis on the robust healthcare
sector in the Metro New York area.
"I am extremely proud of this group of 20 hard-working,
resilient graduates, many of whom have already secured
life-changing employment in the Brooklyn healthcare system," says Ayesha George, executive director of STRIVE New
York. "I am thankful to our compassionate, expert staff and our
partners at Brooklyn Communities Collaborative, SUNY Downstate Medical Center and Maimonides
Medical Center, who are demonstrating the power of community spirit
to drive family, neighborhood and economic change."
Gregg Bishop, executive director
of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation's Social Justice Fund, said
that STRIVE's 40th anniversary is especially meaningful for him. He
emigrated with his family to Brooklyn from Grenada 40 years ago, and his mother worked as
a nurse at local hospitals to support the family. Now he is paying
it forward by helping others in Brooklyn. "There is a community here that sees
you, is rooting for you and supports you. Be ready, believe in
yourself, lean on each other, support each other," Bishop said.
In addition to Brooklyn, STRIVE
Atlanta launched in 2021, and STRIVE New Orleans just launched this
year, with plans for its first graduation this month. STRIVE
Birmingham recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.
STRIVE's Graduates and Employer Partners Tell Stories of
Success
Robert is just one of the many thousands of STRIVE success
stories. After serving 12 years in prison, Robert came to STRIVE
New York's Fresh Start reentry program to find his path to a second
chance. Robert got up to speed on computer literacy, learned how to
write a resumé and conduct himself in an interview. Through
STRIVE'S relationships with local employers, Robert secured a
position in custodial maintenance, and he and his wife have
purchased a home and are living a fulfilling life.
New Funding Spurs Growth
To support its ambitious goals, STRIVE will deploy significant
new funding across its national footprint – from New York to Birmingham to Atlanta to New
Orleans - including a recent generous investment from
leading private investment firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
(CD&R), a strong STRIVE partner that supports the proven
workforce development model.
"The CD&R Foundation is pleased to support STRIVE's
important work to provide New York
City talent facing systemic barriers with the skills and
resources necessary to attain economic opportunity and
advancement," said Randy Moore,
CD&R Foundation President. "STRIVE's mission is aligned with
CD&R's commitment to enabling 'Equity through Opportunity'
which supports business growth by attracting and developing talent
from diverse backgrounds, experiences and capabilities."
The funding from CD&R comes in addition to $15 million from other iconic global
philanthropies in the past year, including MacKenzie Scott, Ballmer Group, The Justice and
Mobility Fund of Blue Meridian Partners and Truist Foundation, as
well as Gotham Gives in New York
City, Bank of America in Atlanta and the Regions Foundation in
Birmingham.
Critical Employer Partnerships
Focusing on growing sectors where demand for a well-trained
workforce is high, and building evidence-based, customized skills
training to meet those needs is critical in helping STRIVE match
its graduates with its employer partners.
As John Martinez, Vice
President for Evidence to Practice of MDRC, a nonprofit that
develops and evaluates antipoverty programs, notes, "We're
delighted to partner with STRIVE, along with other leading
workforce organizations, to demonstrate the power of the
evidence-based, sectoral and employer-driven approach to providing
opportunities to motivated students and graduates, while helping to
fuel local economies. Sector programming like STRIVE offers is a
proven model that sets the standard for the workforce of the
future."
STRIVE's evidence-based model of occupational skills training
with wraparound social services, provides much-needed access to
pathways toward life-changing careers in growing industries
including healthcare, construction and supply chain logistics.
"Our partnership with STRIVE enables us to hone a unique
workforce model that creates career pathways and upward mobility
opportunities for people from marginalized communities across
New York City," said Valerie Orellana, RN, MS, Vice President of
Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Operations Officer at the
Mount Sinai Health System. "We collaborate with STRIVE to develop a
12-week training and certificate program to educate their pool of
talent and match these individuals with opportunities across our
hospital system."
About STRIVE
STRIVE (www.strive.org) is a national workforce development
leader that for nearly 40 years has successfully provided services
to populations facing significant societal barriers to employment.
STRIVE moves students into careers that lead to upward mobility and
economic empowerment. Headquartered in East Harlem, New
York and with operations in 14 locations, STRIVE has
supported more than 85,000 individuals through employment programs
geared toward adults of all ages including those with involvement
in the justice system.
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SOURCE STRIVE International