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PHOENIX (Dec. 9, 2021) – Valley of the Sun United Way announced today it will provide 21 nonprofit organizations with support totaling more than $1 million for programs and services that will help individuals raise their income and create sustainable careers through strategies outlined in the Workforce Development goals of MC2026, United Way’s five year plan for creating Mighty Change across Maricopa County.
This support is in addition to the approximately $10.5 million that Valley of the Sun United Way granted to more than 80 nonprofit organizations in June for programs and services in the other areas of the MC2026 plan including Health, Housing and Homelessness, and Education. Woven into each of the plan’s strategies across the individual areas is a focus on diversity, equity, access and inclusion.
“We are excited to launch this new phase of implementing our strategies specifically in the area of workforce development,” said Rob Podlogar, Chief Community Development and Engagement Officer at Valley of the Sun United Way. “Together, this incredible group of partners will propel the mighty change that is needed to ensure that each person in our community has the opportunity to succeed.”
The MC2026 Workforce Development strategies include increasing resources to assist individuals in obtaining job opportunities that will increase their income and create sustainable careers. One of the ways this will be accomplished is by providing adult access to upskilling and removing barriers that could prevent their success such as a lack of access to child care, transportation or internet.
Among the 11 United Way partners whose programs align with this strategy is Helping Hands for Single Moms, a nonprofit organization that assists low-income single mothers with obtaining a college education and U.S. Vets, which assists U.S. veterans, many of whom are experiencing homelessness, with housing, workforce development, mental health and individualized support.
The strategies also include creating workforce pathways through education by coordinating with businesses to provide students hands-on work such as work-based learning, apprenticeship and internships.
One of the partners in these efforts is Jobs for Arizona Graduates, which provides programming to help young people stay in school through graduation, pursue post-secondary education and secure jobs that lead to career advancement opportunities. Another is the Live and Learn AZ program, which provides educational opportunities, career guidance job training, mentoring and financial assistance to support women impacted by poverty and violence.
To view the complete list of new MC2026 nonprofit partners, visit: Workforce Development | Valley of the Sun United Way (vsuw.org).
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About Valley of the Sun United Way
Valley of the Sun United Way envisions a community where every child, family and individual is healthy, has a safe place to live, and has every opportunity to succeed in school, in life and in work. As we work with our community, corporate and nonprofit partners to implement MC2026, our five-year plan for Mighty Change, we will put all of our efforts toward reaching bold goals for Maricopa County in Health, Housing and Homelessness, Education and Workforce Development. We invite you to join us. www.vsuw.org
