News & Announcements
Carolyn Rhinebarger Named To Community Workforce Solutions Board of Directors
Cary, NC — Strategic Guru Inc., a Triangle-based marketing and communications firm, announced today that Chief Brainstormer Carolyn Rhinebarger has been named to the board of Community Workforce Solutions (CWS). The nonprofit organization is committed to serving individuals with barriers to employment through counseling, training and job placement services.
“We are happy to welcome Carolyn to the board,” said Roger McGee, Executive Director of CWS. “She shares our values that all citizens deserve a chance to build self-esteem and make valuable contributions to our community though meaningful opportunities.”
Throughout 2008-2009, CWS served 1,024 individuals with physical, developmental and mental disabilities, the highest volume in the organization’s history. CWS has developed on-site training opportunities, partnered with Kroger stores to develop retail and grocery training programs and was named Organization of the Year by the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association (NCRA), Chapter III.
“I am honored to be chosen for this board position,” said Rhinebarger. “Helping persons with disabilities build self-confidence to fully participate in society through employment is a cause I wholeheartedly support. Not only does this benefit the individuals and their families, but it also benefits our communities.”
About Community Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people, the success of business, and the quality of community life by matching the right person to the right job. Through job training and placement services, persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment are placed in productive positions and encouraged to meet their own employment or other community integration goals. For more information visit http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com.
About Strategic Guru
Strategic Guru is a marketing and communications firm that provides full service support for the planning and execution of marketing tactics. They assist businesses to better establish brand identity and name recognition through image and message consistency. Through powerful, targeted marketing messages, Strategic Guru is able to create interest and stimulate inquiry. For more information, visit www.strategicguru.com or call (919) 459-4200.
Brief Description: Strategic Guru Chief Brainstormer Carolyn Rhinebarger has been named to the board of directors for Community Workforce Solutions, a Raleigh-based nonprofit serving those with barriers to employment.
Community Workforce Solutions Serves Record Number of Individuals
Raleigh, NC – Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., (CWS) a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, announced today that it has served the largest number of individuals in the organization’s history in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Throughout the year, the agency trained or placed 1,024 persons within their service area of Vance, Warren, Granville, Franklin, Halifax, Durham and Wake counties.
Community Workforce Solutions trains and places individuals with physical, mental and developmental disabilities in the workplace to build independence and self-esteem. Among the many positions filled by persons served through CWS programs are lobby attendant, sales associate, cashier, veterinary assistant, cook and florist’s assistant.
The organization also reached several additional milestones:
- Awarded a mini grant through NC Eat Smart, Move More
- Awarded an Incumbent Workforce Development Grant providing training and consultation design to prepare for ISO certification
- Developed on-site training modules including snack cantina, laundry, janitorial, and sewing
- Achieved success in new programs including Durham Career Connections and the Kroger Training Program with 80% of individuals placed through the Kroger program maintaining jobs for at least 90 days
“We are very proud to have served more clients than ever over the past year,” said Roger McGee, Executive Director. “Our agency works diligently to serve a growing population with ever-shrinking resources and we look forward to many more productive years helping meet the vocational needs of both community businesses and citizens.”
About Community Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people, the success of business, and the quality of community life by matching the right person to the right job. Through job training and placement services, persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment are placed in productive positions and encouraged to meet their own vocational goals. For more information visit http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com.
Community Workforce Solutions Named Organization of the Year
Raleigh, NC – Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, was named the Organization of the Year by the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association (NCRA), Chapter III. The award was presented by Kenny Gibbs, the Raleigh Unit Manager for the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation during the NCRA’s Annual Training Conference held in Chapel Hill October 7-9.
The prestigious award recognizes organizations that demonstrate outstanding performance in the care, treatment, education, or rehabilitation of persons with disabilities. Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. was singled out for having a flexible and dedicated staff willing to develop creative solutions to meet the needs of both clients and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and for maintaining progressive programs. Special attention was given to the recent creation of innovative community-based training programs, including partnerships with Kroger and Wake Med that offer job-specific training opportunities within the community.
“We are honored to be recognized by such an esteemed organization for the direction we’ve taken to offer non-traditional, more community involved programs,” said Roger McGee, Executive Director. “Our agency works diligently to serve a growing population with ever-shrinking resources.”
Community Workforce Solutions currently serves over 1,000 individuals through vocational evaluations, job placement and coaching services and pre-vocational skills training in the seven county area of North Carolina including Vance, Warren, Granville, Franklin, Halifax, Durham and Wake.
About The North Carolina Rehabilitation Association
The North Carolina Rehabilitation Association is the official state chapter of the National Rehabilitation Association. Their mission is to promote ethical and state-of-the-art practice in rehabilitation with the goal of helping persons with disabilities achieve personal and economic independence. NCRA Chapter III consists of thirty-three counties within central North Carolina. For more information visit http://www.ncrehab.org/.
About Community Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people, the success of business, and the quality of community life by matching the right person to the right job. Through job training and placement services, persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment are placed in productive positions and encouraged to meet their own vocational goals. For more information visit http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com.
Community Workforce Solutions Celebrates 45th Anniversary
Raleigh, NC – Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, celebrated their 45th anniversary in October at events held in Raleigh and Henderson. The celebrations, which were open to the community, were designed to acknowledge the valuable contributions that people with disabilities make in the workplace.
Featuring food, music and a silent auction of art produced by the Community Workforce Solutions program participants, the celebrations coincided with National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to reflect and reassess the roles of people with disabilities in the workplace. This year’s National Disability Employment Month theme was Expectation + Opportunity = Full Participation.
“We are proud to have served the community for 45 years. It is only through the generous support of local businesses, state agencies, and loyal employees that we have been able to realize such success,” said Roger McGee, Executive Director. “We hope that by our 50th Anniversary we’re given the opportunity to have an even greater impact in our community.”
Community Workforce Solutions currently serves over 1,000 individuals through vocational evaluations, job placement and coaching services and pre-vocational skills training in the seven county area of North Carolina including Vance, Warren, Granville, Franklin, Halifax, Durham and Wake.
Community Workforce Solutions holds 2nd Annual Kroger Graduation Ceremony
Raleigh, NC – Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. held the 2nd annual graduation ceremony for the Kroger community-based training program on October 1st. Thirteen individuals who successfully completed a training Program at the Kroger store at 350 Six Forks Road were honored with certificates of achievement. Twelve of the thirteen individuals were hired at six participating Kroger stores in the Raleigh area. The thirteenth graduate is currently in the process of being hired.
This innovative Community-Based Training Program is designed to offer individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment the opportunity to learn specific job skills related to their interests while providing Kroger with employees who are well-trained and ready for hire. This program originated in September 2007. Since that time, 24 individuals have completed the program and subsequently been hired at area Kroger stores. The retention rate for individuals hired at Kroger since the program’s inception is well over 70%.
Roger McGee, Executive Director of Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., states, “The partnership with Kroger grocery stores has proven to be a dynamic and beneficial program to the individuals we serve and the community at large. Our Job Coach works on-site at Kroger to personally train each individual that participates in this program, giving Kroger an ongoing pool of qualified employment candidates. This collaboration has truly become a great asset to both Kroger and the individuals receiving training.”
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is currently researching opportunities to expand the community-based training program to an additional site. If your business would like to be considered for this type of collaboration, contact Vivian Hotle at Vivian@communityworkforcesolutions.com
About Community Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of people, the success of business, and the quality of community life by matching the right person to the right job. Through job training and placement services, persons with disabilities or other barriers to employment are placed in productive positions and encouraged to meet their own vocational goals. For more information visit http://www.communityworkforcesolutions.com.
Community Workforce Solutions Honors Community Partners
09/11/09
Henderson, NC –
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. formally acknowledged the commitment of
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company with awards of
Community Excellence.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. has partnered with Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions for
a number of years to provide poly reclamation services. This partnership contributes to
Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions’ ability to provide high quality retread tires to the commercial
trucking industry while simultaneously offering valuable work experience to individuals served
by Community Workforce Solutions, Inc.
Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company has had a very positive impact on the participants of
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. by offering subcontract work such as packaging and
working with tobacco paper. This type of work offers individuals with disabilities or other
barriers to employment an opportunity to increase vocational skills and work towards
independent community employment.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. Executive Director, Roger McGee, states, “Companies
such as Bridgestone Bandag Tire Solutions and Santa Fe Natural Tobacco Company tru
ly
understand how significantly our partnerships can impact the community. It is an honor to
provide quality production services to organizations such as these who show a commitment to
help others. Both of these companies are quite deserving of the Community Excellence Award.”
To access a printable copy of the media release, click here.
Community Workforce Solutions Gives Outstanding Employer Award
8/27/09
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. has recognized Healthcare Services Group, Inc. with its first Outstanding Employer Award. This award is given in recognition for the support Healthcare Services Group, Inc. has shown in employing individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment.
Community-Based Training Program Featured on NBC17
8/21/09
By Shirley Min, NBC17, Updated: Aug. 21 5:40 am
RALEIGH, N.C. - One local organization believes a disability shouldn't keep someone who wants to work from working.
Community Workforce Solutions operates like an employment agency, helping individuals earn their way toward independence.
The program pairs individuals, like Jon Parker, with jobs that meet their abilities. For the past five months, Parker has worked as a grocery clerk at the on Six Forks Road in Raleigh.
Community Workforce Solutions Announces Expanded Mobile Work Crew Availability
8/03/09
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. announced today that their mobile work crew is available to partner with community businesses and organizations for clean-up and maintenance services. The crew, comprised of individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, provides leaf blowing, trash and debris clean up, emptying of garbage cans and post-storm cleaning services.
Community Workforce Solutions Awarded Training Grant
7/28/09
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. announced today that they have been awarded an Incumbent Workforce Development Grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Development. The $22,150 grant will be overseen by the Capital Area Workforce Development Board.
Community Excellence Awards Given to Local Businesses
7/23/09
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. presented a Community Excellence award to Theo Davis Printing in Zebulon, NC and to Rescued Treasures Thrift Shoppe in Durham in recognition of their continued support.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. Announces Changes to the Board of Directors
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. announces the addition of three new members to their Board of Directors. Patrick Gilliard, Senior Business Development Executive with Progress Energy, Eric Hobbs, President of Technology Associates, Inc., and Susan Stevens, Vice President of Human Resources at MeadWestvaco, Corp., joined the directorship of Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. in November 2008.
Community Excellence Awards Given to Local Businesses
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. recently awarded two Community Excellence Awards to local companies who have made significant contributions to further our mission. DocuSource of NC and Oxford University Press both provide production work that is used within our organization to provide vocational skills to individuals with disabilities or who face similar barriers to employment.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. holds 1st Annual Kroger Graduation Ceremony
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. held the first graduation ceremony for 10 individuals who successfully completed a Community Based Training Program located at Kroger in Raleigh. All 10 individuals were trained on-site at Kroger and hired by Kroger stores throughout the Raleigh area.
Hot Dog Cart Featured in Henderson Dispatch
09/07/08
The Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. Hot Dog Cart was recently featured in the Henderson Dispatch newspaper. The Hot Dog Cart is just one of many ways that our agency helps adults with disabilities reach their vocational goals.
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. programs receive three-year Accreditation from CARF
08/21/08
Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a CARF three-year Accreditation for: Job Development, Job Supports, Job-Site Training, Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services, Employee Development Services, Organizational Employment Services, and Community Services - Community Integration. With this award, all programs and services offered by Community Workforce Solutions, Inc are accredited.
The full press release can be accessed here.
Triangle Brain Injury Support Group
Leslie Johnson is a full-time Vocational Evaluator at Community Workforce Solutions and a Certified Brain Injury Specialist. For the past year she has volunteered her time as Co-Leader of the Cary Brain Injury Support Group. This support group and all other Brain Injury Support Groups in North Carolina are supported by the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina (BIANC).
Community Workforce Solutions named Organization of the Year -2007
11/02/2007
During the North Carolina Rehabilitation Association's 52nd Annual Training Conference, held October 31 - November 2, 2007 in New Bern, N.C., Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. was presented with The Organization of the Year award for 2007. The award was presented by NCRA President, Kenny Gibbs during an awards breakfast held on November 2nd. Jim Rutledge, Community Employment Manager for Student Services, accepted the award on behalf of our agency.
Raleigh Vocational Center/INCO-RVC renamed to Community Workforce Solutions
06/01/2007
We feel this change better reflects the variety of services we offer to an ever expanding geographical area that includes Wake, Vance, Granville, Franklin, Halifax, Warren and Durham counties.
Established in 1964, and expanded to include INCO in 2003, our agency will continue its commitment to supporting persons with disabilities and other barriers to employment. In addition, we will continue to partner with area businesses in providing workforce solutions to their manufacturing, printing, advertising, and production needs.
Over four decades of quality service and professional dedication by Raleigh Vocational Center/INCO-RVC will continue as Community Workforce Solutions works towards new and different ways of supporting individuals as they develop and achieve their chosen goals. We also look forward to increased diversity in business and production services. Community Workforce Solutions is excited about the future and becoming a larger presence in the communities we serve!
VisionPoint Marketing Named Agency Of Record For Raleigh Vocational Center
04/19/2007
Diane Kuehn, president of VisionPoint Marketing, has announced that the firm has been named agency of record for Raleigh Vocational Center, a non-profit community rehabilitation agency dedicated to assuring that persons with disabilities are provided the opportunity to reach their vocational goals.
