Another ReWork success

ReWork Richmond’s enrollment grows Success stories of East End adults

John at his new workplace.

ReWork Richmond, the workforce development program that came about through a partnership among St. Stephen’s, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Church Hill, the City of Richmond’s Office of Community Wealth Building, and Challenge Discovery Projects, continues to improve lives.

ReWork’s mission is to empower underemployed adults living in Richmond’s East End by helping them obtain the skills and support needed to qualify for, and ultimately gain, thriving living-wage careers.

Born of the capital campaign that St. Stephen’s conducted as part of its centennial observance, ReWork takes a unique approach to employment. ReWork is about employment support and job sourcing that create lasting career opportunities for East End Richmond families, as opposed to finding entry-level jobs. The program is structured to provide a comprehensive array of personal support and employment referral services tailored to meeting the individual goals of each ReWork member (not client or participant). Each member works with the ReWork staff to design a strategic individual career plan.

With continuing financial support from St. Stephen’s and other invested community partners, ReWork Richmond is making a difference in the lives of East End adults and their families. Member enrollment continues to grow each month and we are pleased to report that members are making great progress on their path to meaningful, family-sustaining careers.

AN ELECTRICIAN IN THE MAKING

Member John M. is a recent example. John was recommended to ReWork by partner Anna Julia Cooper School and came to ReWork needing meaningful employment that would support him, his wife, and two children. John had long been working an hourly job at a local grocery store, but that position provided no upward movement and the wages would

By Deb Lawrence

never reach a family-sustaining level. After enrolling with ReWork and completing our aptitude and interest assessment, John’s skills, talents and interests matched well with the electrical trade career field. ReWork’s staff contacted one of our wonderful employer partners, Davis and Green Electrical, and John is now employed in their electrician training program as an apprentice. In just two years, John will be a fully licensed electrician with a career that can support his family. In the meantime, he is going to work each day to a job he loves and is interested in, knowing that his career trajectory has drastically improved, and the future is bright.

MORE VISIBLE OFFICE SPACE

We are excited to announce that ReWork has moved to a new office space, just a few blocks away from its former location at St. Peter’s Church. ReWork is extremely proud and grateful to have been housed at St. Peter’s since opening our doors in February 2019. Having our own office space provides greater community awareness and visibility and allows us to work with our members more efficiently. The new office is located at 2123 Fairmount Avenue in the heart of the East End.

YOU CAN HELP

Would you like to make a difference in the lives of ReWork members and support their rise out of poverty? There are several ways you can help. If you have a roadworthy vehicle to donate, please let ReWork know. Each car is thoroughly checked out and detailed prior to delivery and we assist with the paperwork involved. For additional details, contact Mark Murphy, markmurphydmm@gmail. com or 203.249.2164. Donations are taxdeductible.

ReWork also seeks committed volunteers who are interested in career and financial coaching, assisting with resume writing and interview skills, or connecting us to potential employer partners. To explore how your generosity and skills can help, please contact me at deblawrence@reworkrichmond.org or 804.869.3704.