2024 Workforce Alliance Annual Report

PRESIDENT & CEO MESSAGE

As I begin writing my comments for this annual report and preparing to move our office after twenty-seven years at our current location, I am struck by the period of change that our organization is in. Last year, a twenty-year board member and former Chair, Robin Golden, moved on to pursue other public sector volunteer work. Our board has seen a number of new members due to vacancies from retirements and job changes. After years of relatively little staff turnover, again from retirements and job changes, we saw a number of people move on.

In going through 27 years of files, reports, and program outcomes, you get a chance to reflect on all that has occurred over that time. I felt both proud of our accomplishments in terms of the great programs that we offered and all of the individuals we helped find meaningful employment. That pride was tempered somewhat by the multiple challenges our customers still face with the glaring and most obvious being basic skills deficiencies.

But in the end, all of these changes have helped us to sharpen our mission, vision and values and to renew our commitment to providing quality programs and services to the job seekers and employers of our region.

WORD FROM CHAIRMAN

Workforce Alliance continues to make remarkable progress and impact as a beacon of innovation within workforce development here in the South-Central region of Connecticut. Our achievements stand as a testament to the dedication of our outstanding employees, who explore opportunities and training to benefit all our customers. Our success also echoes through our esteemed Board of Directors. Their unwavering commitment drives the impactful work of Workforce Alliance, shaping our strategic plan to remain culturally responsive to the evolving needs of our community and customers. As we forge ahead, our focus expands to address critical issues such as wage disparities, the sustainability of innovative career pathways, and the provision of childcare services. By nurturing collaborative relationships and fostering inclusive spaces, we ensure that everyone who engages with our organization feels supported and empowered. Through the concerted efforts of our Board and employee committees, we elevate our customers’ successes. When our customers succeed, we succeed as an organization. We recognize that there is an ongoing journey to deepen equity and opportunity for all.

Our commitment to our partners across the 30 towns supported by Workforce Alliance. Together, we labor to enhance the well-being of those we serve, cultivating collaboration and empowering our customers at every turn.

Ed Dooling Board Chairman

Through the concerted efforts of our Board and employee committees, we elevate our customers’ successes. When our customers succeed, we succeed as an organization.

2,960

4,046 Job Seekers Served Career Center Customers Customers Employed

11,246

AMERICAN JOB CENTER

In August of 2022, the American Job Center & Workforce Alliance began a collaboration with our long-time partner New Haven Adult Education & a new partner, CfAL for Digital Inclusion. Our mission is still going strong- to serve the South-Central community by meeting our customers where they are, by recognizing their needs for computer literacy and owning a desktop computer. To date, our facilitators conducted 32 Basic Computer Literacy cohorts, graduating 180 participants, with many of them obtaining free refurbished desktop computers upon conclusion of training. Each cohort consists of 4 in-person days of learning. Some topics covered are: Creating a professional resume, on-line job searching, and introduction to Excel, Word, Canva, and Google Drive. Classes are now being offered at the New Haven, Meriden & Middletown American Job Centers, and New Haven Adult Education. Spanish to English translation is available upon request!

I was definitely nervous about beginning a new class. It’s been so many years since my school days. However, from the moment I walked into the room, I was treated with respect, kindness, understanding and very knowledgeable teachers, Ms. Sara and Ms. Bonnie. Thank you for everything! I truly enjoyed your class.

NEXT STEPS

The Next Steps Re-Entry Program is a comprehensive initiative aimed at assisting ex-offenders in securing employment by providing essential life coping skills, vocational training, support services, and workplace readiness training. With both in-person and virtual workshops and services available, the program caters to diverse needs and circumstances. The fact that 55 ex-offenders were successfully placed into employment within the past year out of 85 served underscores the program’s effectiveness. Moreover, since its inception in 2003, Next Steps has facilitated job placements for a total of 2,427 individuals, highlighting its longstanding impact in the community. Collaborating with various stakeholders such as law enforcement, courts, probation, parole services, halfway houses, and other community organizations, Next Steps ensures a comprehensive approach to reintegration, thereby increasing the chances of success for program participants.

55

2,427 Ex-offenders Placed Placements since inception

Jason spent almost nine years behind bars for attempted robbery and parole violation, and came to the American Job Center in New Haven for help. He not only found a full-time job through the program, but is starting his own business. He credits Next Steps with giving him the skills and confidence he needed. “I’ve put all that baggage behind me,” Jason said. “I’ll have my own business, my own car and my own apartment.

YOUTH PROGRAMS

796 Paid Work Experiences

YOUTH COMMITTEE

The youth programs across the South-Central CT area offer a comprehensive range of services aimed at supporting young individuals in their personal and professional growth. These programs, coordinated through the American Job Center offices, particularly Project CEO, and in collaboration with a network of trusted partners, provide year-round training and employment opportunities tailored to the needs of different age groups. A notable highlight is the summer youth employment program, which provided paid work experiences for 796 youth from 23 municipalities in South-Central CT, offering invaluable practical experience. Additionally, 246 in-school youth and out-of-school young adults earned a combined total of 60 credentials, spanning from high school diplomas or GEDs to industry-recognized certifications in various fields, enhancing their employability and skill sets. The impact of these programs is further exemplified by the 76 youth who successfully transitioned into employment or post-secondary education this year. Our continued collaborative efforts among organizations such as Children’s Community Programs of CT, Common Ground, Community Renewal Team, Project CEO, the Tri-Town Collaborative, and Women and Families Center in fostering youth development and creating pathways to success within the South-Central CT community.

MISSION: The Youth Committee provides proactive leadership and advocacy for integrated quality education, training and employment experiences for, by and with youth.

SKILL UP FOR MANUFACTURING

The success of the Skill Up for Manufacturing program in Connecticut is remarkable, especially with its emphasis on providing practical training and securing job placements for graduates. The collaboration with community colleges and local technical high schools is a testament to the program’s commitment to accessible education. The addition of advanced training on plastics and the integration of Virtual Reality into the curriculum are innovative approaches to preparing students for the modern manufacturing landscape. It’s encouraging to see that a significant number of students have been able to secure employment following their training, and the variety of positions available reflects the diverse skill set acquired through the program. This program year, 35 students were placed in careers in manufacturing after graduation.

FROM OUR PARTICIPANTS

JAMES VALLEAU

SKILL UP FOR MANUFACTURING PROGRAM

“My experience in the Skill Up Training was hands on. The instructors showed us what each machine was capable of while demonstrating the process of properly setting up each machine. These are valuable skills in manufacturing. After graduation I accepted a job offer with Hobson & Motzer in Durham for a second shift machine operator.“

YAIRECK GUZMAN

HEALTH CAREERS ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

“I had a lot of hoops to jump through to complete my PCT. My husband enrolled in the Skill Up for Manufacturing Traning and I enrolled in the HCAP training for PCT. I had a lot of hoops to jump through to complete my PCT but Workforce Alliance assisted with my rent while my husband and I were in training. I gained valuable job skills that helped me secure full time at Yale New Haven Hospital.”

RACHID GATLING

NEXT STEPS PROGRAM

“I never thought in a million years...I would go from a participant in the Next Steps program to an employee working in Workforce Alliance. I’m still pinching myself every day. My favorite part of the job is when my clients achieve their goals. I don’t care which goal it is. It could be something small. It brings tears to my eyes when participants gain success, especially when you see someone coming home from doing thirty years in prison and they finally get their license.”

EVELYN MORALES-ESPINOZA

SUMMER YOUTH PARTICIPANT

“Since working with the summer employment program, I’ve had positive interactions with my co-workers and learned a lot about customer service. With my experience I plan on applying it to future jobs.”

COLEBROOK

WINCHESTER BARKHAMSTED

GOSHEN TORRINGTON

WARREN LITCHFIELD NEW M LFORD WASHINGTON

BRIDGEWATER

ROXBURY BETHLEHEM MORRIS WOODBURY WATERTOWN

THOMASTON

NEW HARTFORD HARWINTON PLYMOUTH

WATERBURY WOLCOTT

CHESHIRE

OXFORD PROSPECT

BEACON FALLS BETHANY

HAMDEN MERIDEN M DDLEBURY NAUGATUCK

SOUTHBURY WALLINGFORD

SEYMOUR

ANSONIA

DERBY

NORTH HAVEN

WOODBRIDGE BRANFORD

EAST HAVEN

NORTH BRANFORD

GUILFORD MADISON COLCHESTER EAST

MILFORD ORANGE WEST HAVEN

SOUTH CENTRAL CT REGION

BUDGET SUMMARY

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2022-2023

Magdalena (Maya) Alban Owner

Educare Learning Academy

436 Mixville Rd

Cheshire, CT 06410

Cell 203-530-5524

Magdalenarosalesalban@gmail.com

Carl Bonamico

Vice President, Branch Manager

Liberty Bank

909 North Colony Rd

Wallingford, CT 06492

203-606-1778

cbonamico@liberty-bank.com

H. Richard Borer

President

Easter Seals Goodwill Industries

432 Washington Avenue

North Haven, CT 06473

203-777-2000 ext. 261

rborer@esginh.org

Chris Brown Director, New Haven Community Hiring Initiatives

Yale University

221 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511

203-436-8341

c.brown@yale.edu

Mary Burgard

VR Supervisor

Department of Aging and Disability Serv.

184 Windsor Avenue Windsor, CT 06095

860-602-4000

mary.burgard@ct.gov

Dr. Thomas Coley

Acting President Gateway Community College

20 Church Street

New Haven, CT 06510

203-285-2061/fax203-285-2063

tcoley@commnet.edu

Christopher Cozzi

Business Representative

Operating Engineers Local 478

1965 Dixwell Avenue

Hamden, CT 06514

203-288-9261 x 258/FAX 281-3749

cell 203-671-9346

ccozzi@local478.org

Ed Dooling, - Chair

Chief of Healthcare Services

Masonicare

22 Masonicare Ave Wallingford, CT 06492

203-679-6568 fax 203-679-6101 edooling@masonicare.org

Peter J. Escobar

President

Colonial Flooring America

1116 North Colony Road Wallingford, CT 06492

203-774-3280

petere@colonialflooring.com

Carlos Eyzaguirre

Economic Development Officer

City’s Office of Economic Development 165 Church Street New Haven, CT 06519 203-946-5761

CEyzaguirre@newhavenct.gov

Maria F. Harlow – Vice Chair

Executive Director

United Way of Meriden-Wallingford

35 Pleasant Street, Suite 1E

Meriden, CT 06451

203-235-4403/FAX 235-4404

mharlow@unitedwaymw.org

Howard K. Hill Owner

Howard K Hill Funeral Home

1287 Chapel Street New Haven, CT 06511

203-624-4477

admin@hkhfuneralservices.com

Andrew Inorio

President/Field Representative

Laborers Local Union 455

3 Baer Circle

East Haven, CT 06512

203-467-5500

Atinorio455@gmail.com

Marcia LaFemina

President

Penn Globe Manufacturing

300 Shaw Road

North Branford, CT 06471

203-484-7749

lafeminam@pennglobe.com

Larry McHugh - Secretary President

Middlesex Chamber of Commerce

393 Main Street

Middletown, CT 06457

860-347-6924/fax 860-346-1043

lmchugh@middlesexchamber.com

Lorna McLeod

Hamden Unit Director

DOL/American Job Center

37 Marne Street

Hamden, CT 06514

203-859-3317

lorna.mcleod@ct.gov

Serena Neal-SanJurjo

Treasurer

Economic Development Strategist 31 Marvel Road New Haven, CT 06515

Cell 203-671-6230

Home 203-397-0135

Cell 504-655-8906

snealsanjurjo@edcnewhaven.com sanjo0813@gmail.com

Tiana Ocasio

President Labor Council for Latin American Advancement 1965 Dixwell Avenue Hamden, CT 06514 203-815-8877

tocasio@local478.org

Doris Poma, SHRM-SCP Vice President, Human Resources Central Region

Hartford Healthcare 959-595-1771

Doris.Poma@hhchealth.org

David Reitz

President Gestalt Management 44 Lyon Street New Haven, CT 06511

Davidreitz04@gmail.com

Garrett Sheehan

President New Haven Chamber of Commerce 900 Chapel Street, 10th Fl. New Haven, CT 06519 203-782-4340/fax 203-782-4329

gsheehan@gnhcc.com

Toni Walker State Representative Legislative Office Building Hartford, CT 06107

860-240-8585

toni.walker@cga.ct.gov

Joseph W Williams, Jr. Dir. of NHE3 Operations

Community Foundation of Greater New Haven 70 Audubon Street New Haven, CT 06510 860-634-3941

jwilliams@cfgnh.org

PRESIDENT & CEO

William P. Villano (203) 867-4030 x 231 bvillano@workforcealliance.biz

DIRECTOR OF CAREER DEVELOPMENT SERVICES

Kymbel Branch (203) 867-4030 x 247 kbranch@workforcealliance.biz

DIRECTOR OF QUALITY ASSURANCE & YOUTH SERVICES

John Brancato (203) 867-4030 x 237 jbrancato@workforcealliance.biz

DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL GRANTS & PROJECTS

Jill Watson (203) 867-4030 x 224 jwatson@workforcealliance.biz

DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & DEVELOPMENT

Bobbi Brown (203) 867-4030 x 242 bbrown@workforcealliance.biz

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Naomi Weinblad (203) 867-4030 x 292 nweinblad@workforcealliance.biz

DIRECTOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Ann Harrison (203) 867-4030 x 226 aharrison@workforcealliance.biz