Our Eastern Washington programming is as varied as the six counties they serve. From the largest, least populated county of Okanogan to the densely populated metropolitan areas of Spokane, our services engage individuals and families from all walks of life. In PY19, our Eastern Washington teams proudly served:
- Parents on TANF pursuing a better future for their children
- Low-income individuals looking for a better career path
- Workers facing the unknown of losing the only job they have known
- Refugees and immigrants wanting to put their skills to work within our economy
- Youth earning for the chance to demonstrate their untapped potential
- Veterans proudly transitioning into the civilian workforce
- Homeless individuals seeking warmth, connection, and an opportunity to get back on their feet
- Businesses desperate to find the talent they need to remain relevant
The list could go on, and what we hope you take away from our annual report is not so much the number of people or businesses we helped, nor the number of individuals who successfully moved into employment. Even though these numbers tell a story – they are not the only story worth telling. We find purpose within the people, businesses, and communities we serve, and it was within this purpose we were able to face what may be the most consequential year of the organization’s entire existence. As our country and state implemented extraordinary measures to save lives at the onset of the pandemic, causing workforce disruptions not seen since the Great Depression, we went to work! Our teams quickly mobilized all resources at their disposal to catch and connect to the thousands of individuals, families, and businesses caught in the fallout.
While it is difficult not to let the latter half of our year overshadow all that our teams accomplished in PY19, it was within these most challenging circumstances we also saw the biggest of ideas. Teams moved in-person classes, workshops, and orientations to an online platform. They connected weekly to individuals, families, and businesses over the phone to hear what their most pressing needs were and advocated for the resources needed to meet them. They became gurus of technology – stretching the bounds of their own comfort zones to design spaces for our customers to network and connect with each other safely. They demonstrated what it means to champion the needs of others. These are the stories so often lost within the numbers or not fully acknowledged. It is within this lens of creativity, innovation, and sacrifice we wish you to hold as you continue your review of our annual report.
We prepare people for careers with family-supporting wages by cultivating a passionate and purposeful workforce. We expand job readiness and pathways to meaningful work, while also helping build the capacity to navigate the tensions of work and home.
Enhancing Workforce
Business is at the heart of our service. We engage with employers to understand their workforce needs. Then co-create macro-system solutions to align workforce skills with business needs to cultivate new sources of value creation.
Enriching Communities
We catalyze collaboration with strategic partners for a transformational, system-wide impact on the drivers of poverty and social inequities. As individuals and families are empowered, communities are elevated.
Marc came into the Community Jobs program as an unemployed father of three. He felt he was having a difficult time finding employment due to his age and facial tattoos. He was often not taken seriously because of his tattoos and was passed over for many job opportunities.
Marc and I worked together to identify his areas of passion and how they could translate to meaningful employment. He identified an interest in floral design and we began to look for opportunities in that industry. We discussed the Career Jump program an on-the-job training option and how it could benefit him in finding employment. We created a list of potential floral shops and started contacting them. We strategized about how to get in front of potential employers and meeting them face to face so they could speak with and get to know him rather than judging based on appearance.
Marc did the work and connected with Rose and Blossom who were interested in utilizing Career Jump to hire Marc. Marc completed the program and was transitioned into unsubsidized employment with them. Now working full-time, he is earning $17.50 per hour and is well on his way to self-sufficiency. 11.18.2020 update. Marc has been promoted to operations manager over both stores. We are thrilled for Marc!
Paul VanDriel, Employment Practitioner
Commerce Spokane
Stephanie had recently been released from incarceration and was wanting to get started in construction as a career. Even though she had an interest in skilled trades, she did not possess the work experience or skills needed to qualify for these positions.
At the time, Stephanie was living in transitional housing with limited resources, but she was able to get a referral to the Apprenticeship & Skilled Trades Center by the Department of Corrections. When Stephanie came into the WorkSource Center, she met with Career Path Services employee, Dani.
Dani shared the Head Start to Construction Trades program with her. Together, they worked to identify and address challenges that might prevent Stephanie from fully participating in classes. Dani walked Stephanie through accessing and submitting the application, (since classes were virtual); and helped Stephanie secure a Chrome Book and MiFi to attend her classes. Stephanie worked with the team at WorkSource to ensure she was prepared to start work with work boots, clothing, and a bus pass.
Stephanie has started her classes and is looking forward to her graduation. She has a construction position lined up when she completes the program. Stephanie is so glad she was able to participate in the program and get started on the path to her new career.
Dani Kaschmitter, Apprenticeship Coordinator
WorkSource Spokane
* names have been changed to protect client confidentiality
Ben was interested in entering the medical field but had no experience. Because of this, Ben and his employment practitioner created an individualized plan to layout steps towards defining and achieving his personal and professional goals.
Shortly after, Ben was accepted into the Medical Assistant Apprenticeship and has become an employee at Providence. W. went into that program with excitement.
His employment practitioner has received only positive remarks about his work ethic. He has successfully completed the Medical Assistant training and is now preparing for the state board assessment.
Devina Cunningham, Career Specialist
Next Generation Zone, Spokane
* names have been changed to protect client confidentiality
There are many partners who contribute to the success of our work in the Eastern Washington region.
Some are formal partnerships such as the Spokane Workforce Consortium where our combined strengths deliver services at WorkSource Spokane, Next Generation Zone, and Talent Solutions.
Strong working relationships with partners: Department of Commerce, DSHS Region 1, Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance, and multiple community non-profits enable us to deliver high-quality Transitional Jobs services to those receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families
At the Spokane Resource Center, we work alongside 17 community partners ensuring Spokane County residents have access to a wide variety of human services including assistance with pre-employment and Basic Food Employment and Training.
AmeriCorps
Arc of Spokane
Corporate Headquarters
10 N. Post Street, Suite 200
Spokane, WA 99201
We are an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and
services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
Washington Relay: 711 and TTY relay 1-800-833-6388