Cincinnati Works
708 Walnut Street
Cincinnati, OH 45202
Job Readiness
When no grant application was received by June 2023, the Foundation made a "renewal grant" for the program for which funding had been provided in the previous year. For more information about the program, see the Grants Section of the 2021-22 Dater Foundation Annual Report on this web site and/or go to the grantee organization's web site.
Program Results:
No formal Grant Evaluation Report was submitted with results for the program. This "Success Narrative" was submitted in January 2024.
With the help of funds from the Dater Foundation, Cincinnati Works has continued to provide holistic support to those on the path out of poverty through employment in Greater Cincinnati. We serve all those living in poverty who are willing and able to pursue employment. Our Members (clients) are approximately 56% female and 44% male, 11% are married, 6% divorced or separated, 1% widowed, 82% single, and 30% have children in the home. Of our female Members, 86% are head-of-household, with 31% of those with children in the home. 75% of our Members are Black, 19% White, 1% Asian, 5% multiple or other racial identity. 88% have at least a high school diploma or GED. 39% have at least some college, 8% have an associate’s degree, 7% a bachelor’s, and 2% a master’s. 44% are reliant on public transportation.
In 2023, we continued to offer career and financial training and coaching, pre- and post-employment. Demand for our Financial Wellness Program continues to grow as Members learn how important it is to manage their new income to achieve long-term goals. Many are also interested in entrepreneurship, so we are adding ways to support this trend and ensure these Members are keeping up with all tax requirements and other codes as well.
We have added a new focus on Youth Workforce Development, starting with a partnership with the Cincinnati Youth Collaborative on a grant from the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership to prepare graduating seniors for manufacturing jobs and apprenticeships. We are also working with additional local schools to support non-college bound juniors and seniors in preparation to join the workforce or pursue further vocational training after graduation.
And, we have brought together our Phoenix and Beacon of Hope programs under a single division known as Fair Chance Works. FCW offers tailored support for at-risk and re-entry populations in the context of trauma-informed care. We work with fair chance individuals to address their unique barriers to joining or re-entering the labor force as well as the employers that are open to working with them. Also included are the families of these individuals, as we understand that the underlying trauma impacting them often extends to their spouses, partners, and children as well.
To truly break the cycle of generational poverty, we believe it is crucial to include both of these groups, offering the tailored support each needs to find success.
Over the last six months, we have served over 400 new and continuing Members. This includes 171 participating in at least one training offering, 31 new employments, 32 achieving self-sufficiency-level wages, 6 reaching one year on the job, and 33 seeing improvements in their credit scores.
We work one-on-one with our Members for as long as they choose to engage with us, to support them along a path out of poverty that typically can take 6 years or more. This process can feel long and can be frustrating with stops and starts, but our coaches provide encouragement all along the way. We celebrate every milestone to keep the momentum going. Our Members’ perseverance and persistence also provides the role models their children need to keep them out of the cycle of poverty. We are excited for the possibilities of 2024!
Website:
http://www.cincinnatiworks.org Amount: $30,000
Date: July 2023
