News Media
The WorkPlace in the Media
Comcast Awards $20,000 Grant to The WorkPlace in Vermont
Comcast has awarded a $20,000 grant to support MaturityWorks, a training program run by The WorkPlace in partnership with the State of Vermont’s Mature Worker Program. The grant helps address digital literacy barriers for low-income Vermonters, age 55 and older, who...
Graduates of Bridgeport Project Retail workforce program show ‘anything is possible’
NORWALK — As sunlight streamed into the SoNo Collection Magnificent Room upon the graduates of the Project Retail workforce education program, speakers emphasized that education breeds opportunity. The program graduates lined up beside wall-to-wall picture...
CT employment agency named federal grant recipient for helping formerly incarcerated people find jobs
A Connecticut employment agency has been named a recipient of a federal grant for its role in helping formerly incarcerated people find jobs, officials said. The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded The WorkPlace in Bridgeport a $2.5 million grant, according to the...
Advancing Fairfield County as a Tech Hub
The goal of the Stamford Partnership is to have hundreds more area residents assume jobs in the tech sector in the coming months and tap into the necessary training to help establish Greater Fairfield County as one of the country’s most promising tech hubs. The...
Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub launches in Stamford
Coinciding with Stamford Tech Week, the Stamford Partnership and Bridgeport based workforce development company The WorkPlace announced the launch of the Southwest Connecticut Tech Hub. The Tech Hub is a community designed to help connect talented employees with the...
Dress for Success Interview on WICC600 with “Melissa in the Morning.”
Women are slowly making their way back to the working world after the pandemic kept so many at home with their kids. But just landing the job isn’t always enough to successfully transition to the workforce. We did a deep dive into a local non-profit supporting women...
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PRESS RELEASES
Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County Honors Dr. Monette Ferguson with Empowerment Award
Bridgeport, CT — March 26, 2024
Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County is marking 26 years of service to over 10,000 women in Southwest Connecticut by hosting Purse-suit of Success! During the event Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County will honor Dr. Monette Ferguson with the Denise “Denny” Taft Davidoff Empowerment Award for her dedication, both personally and professionally, to serving the community and breaking the cycle of poverty.
Dr. Monette Ferguson will be recognized for her commitment to equitable access to quality childcare and family resources, serving the most vulnerable members of the community. She has worked her entire career to remove barriers, advocate for families and women’s empowerment. Dr. Ferguson’s leadership of the Alliance for Community Empowerment over 9 years has expanded opportunities for women and made sure that families have a chance to reach their full potential. Dr. Ferguson volunteers her time and energy by serving on numerous boards and commissions across the state collaborating with community partners to build brighter tomorrows for future generations.
“Dr. Ferguson’s commitment to equity, a clear vision for the future, and ability to get things done creates opportunity for women. Her commitment to leading on issues impacting vulnerable populations has helped women who have been marginalized in so many ways, defy the odds and get back to the labor force,” said Michelle Artis, Director of Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County. “We are excited to honor Dr. Ferguson’s years of hard work in the community with this award.”
The Denise “Denny” Taft Davidoff Empowerment Award recognizes and celebrates exceptional champions of gender equity and women’s advancement. Denny Davidoff was a powerful life force dedicated to empowering people in the workforce, marketplace, and community. Her efforts helped serve a variety of jobless and marginalized populations through powerful programs including Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County.
“Purse-suit of Success” will be held at the Boca Oyster Bar from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm on Tuesday, May 7. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information on being a Purse-suit of Success! sponsor contact Jonathan Lee at (203) 418-2312 or jlee@workplace.org. Tickets for the event can be purchased at https://bit.ly/DFSPursesuit2024. All proceeds from Purse-suit of Success! benefit Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County, supporting the organization’s mission of assisting women seeking employment by providing professional attire, a network of support, and career development programs.
About Dress for Success
Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County has assisted over 10,000 women since opening our doors in 1998. Our mission is to empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide. All funds are raised locally and make an impact in southwest Connecticut. Visit midfairfieldcounty@dressforsuccess.org for more information.
Connecticut Youth Employment Program Applications Open
Bridgeport, CT—March 19 ,2024
The Connecticut Youth Employment Program operated by The WorkPlace in southwestern Connecticut is now taking applications. The program links youth and young adults (ages 14-24) to summer employment for 20 hours weekly at minimum wage for up to seven weeks. Space is limited, – APPLY NOW!
Participants will be given the opportunity to earn wages during the summer, hone workforce skills, and receive valuable training and work experience. The program provides access to various occupational sectors to enhance a participant’s strengths and abilities.
Youth & Young adults living in one of the 20 towns served by The WorkPlace are encouraged to apply. The 20-town region includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bridgeport, Darien, Derby, Easton, Fairfield, Greenwich, Monroe, New Canaan, Norwalk, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, Stamford, Stratford, Trumbull, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.
Applicants will be required to interview with WorkPlace staff and submit eligibility documentation. Only online applications will be accepted, and they must be received by April 20, at 4pm. The application can be found by visiting www.workplace.org/careerhub.
Additionally, active recruitment for employer worksites is underway. For participating businesses and community agencies, the program provides motivated youth for summer help without incurring extra costs. Further employer worksites provide meaningful employment, helping youth become valuable and self-reliant members of the community. Youth enrolled in the program will complete a work readiness preparation program before beginning at a worksite.
Collectively, our community benefits by developing our young workforce. For more information on the program or how to become a worksite, please contact gmontes@workplace.org or 203-416-8487.
About The WorkPlace
The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country. For more information, visit www.workplace.org
Contact: Tom Long
The WorkPlace
Phone: (203) 313-5507
Email: tlong@workplace.org
Web: www.workplace.org
Avangrid Teaming Up With DFSMFC To Empower Local Women
Bridgeport, CT—April 11, 2022
Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County is pleased to announce Avangrid as the Presenting Sponsor of Purse-suit of Success! to be held on May 10, 2022, in Bridgeport at the Boca Oyster Bar. Dress for Success empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
The Purse-suit of Success! benefit will celebrate the success stories and supporters of this vital community program. The COVID-19 pandemic has set gender equality back an additional 36 years. Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County is on the frontlines of getting women back to work and financially stable in the wake of this economic crisis. Our programs and services are designed to help women overcome challenges for various phases of their personal and professional journeys.
Purse-suit of Success! will feature Karen Dubois-Walton, PhD, President, Elm City Communities, and recently appointed Chairperson of the State Board of Education receiving the Denise “Denny” Taft Davidoff Empowerment Award. This recognition is in honor of her commitment to equity, and ability to create opportunity for women.
All are invited to a fun spring event on the water featuring a silent auction including premier purses donated by local community leaders. The evening will celebrate Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County’s 24 years of service to local women in need of professional attire and employment services. The organization has helped more than 12,000 women since opening its doors in 1998. Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County offers all services to clients at no-cost and relies on donations and fundraising events for support. All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County’s programs, including Simply Suited and the Professional Women’s Group.
“UI, SCG and CNG – our Connecticut family at AVANGRID – are honored to continuously support the Dress for Success’ mission to empower women to achieve economic independence.” – Frank Reynolds, President & CEO of UI, SCG and CNG.
Purse-suit of Success! is made possible by the generous support of a number of local businesses including Connecticut Community Bank, Berkowitz and Hanna LLC, Synchrony, Microboard, and The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven. Tickets to the benefit are $85 per person and can be purchased online at https://bit.ly/dfspursesuit22 or by calling at (203) 610-8480.
About Dress for Success. Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County is an affiliate of Dress for Success Worldwide. All funds are raised locally and make impact in southwest Connecticut. Visit midfairfieldcounty@dressforsuccess.org for more information.
Virtual Forum On Employment Resources On Monday, March 28
State Representative Kara Rochelle (D — Ansonia, Derby) is partnering with The WorkPlace President and CEO, Joe Carbone, and Vice President of Business Engagement, Mike Morgan, for a Virtual Forum on Employment Resources on Monday, March 28, 2022 at 3 p.m. via Zoom. People can register for the virtual event by visiting https://bit.ly/3CNL7sN.
During the event, attendees will learn about the WorkPlace’s innovative Platform to Employment https://platformtoemployment.com program, which helps unemployed individuals build their skills and connects them to employment opportunities. The program has helped over 80 percent https://www.workplace.org/p2e of participants secure employment.
“The WorkPlace offers a variety of programs to help people advance their skills and overcome barriers to securing a good-paying job,” Rep. Rochelle said. “I am pleased to host this virtual discussion with Joe Carbone and Mike Morgan to highlight the Platform to Employment program and how it can help people who are experiencing long-term unemployment get back to work.“
The program helps prepare long-term unemployed individuals for career opportunities by addressing the skill loss and social and emotional challenges resulting from being out of the workforce.
The Platform to Employment program matches participants with openings at local companies on a trial basis and The WorkPlace funds their salaries. During this period, participating workers can demonstrate their ability to perform the job while the employer evaluates their work.
The Platform to Employment program is offered in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven, Norwich, and Waterbury.
The WorkPlace serves Southwestern Connecticut and offers a variety of job training and employment support programs for young adults, older workers, veterans, and more.
Residents are encouraged to email their questions in advance of the event to Audrey.Rossignol@cga.ct.gov. For immediate assistance, residents can call Rep. Rochelle’s office at 860−240−8585 or email her at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov
The Alliance for Cannabis Equity release Manifesto, a resource for Black and Brown Entrepreneurs, Social Equity Applicants, and Minority Workers in the Cannabis Industry
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 24. 2022
Bridgeport, CT [February 24, 2022] – The Alliance for Cannabis Equity, created to be an authoritative and trusted resource for those interested in assuring that the social equity provisions related to adult-use cannabis are fully realized, formed by Community Outreach Revitalization Program (ConnCORP) and The WorkPlace, hosted a press conference on Thursday to announce the release of its Cannabis Manifesto.
“ACE is focusing on social equity and the economic opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs and minority workers in the emerging cannabis industry,” said Joseph Carbone, President and CEO, The WorkPlace. “Our publication of The Cannabis Manifesto for Social Equity is an important step in supporting social equity initiatives across the state and helping people realize what is possible.”
The Manifesto focuses on providing BIPOC entrepreneurs and workers a trusted document and website that can be used to answer questions about the new recreational cannabis industry in Connecticut. It provides an overview of key entry processes – covering cannabis business requirements, the lottery process, and addresses general business questions that may aid Social Equity Applicants in the creation of and future management of their businesses.
“Provisions of the new cannabis law aim to insure that Black and Brown communities that have been adversely impacted by disparate marijuana law enforcement policies not be left behind; but also reap the benefits expected to accrue from this new industry,” said Carlton Highsmith, Board Chair, ConnCORP. “But there is a knowledge gap that needs to be bridged. Linkages to resources need to be made. Sources of financial capital that need to be identified. There is an urgent necessity for reliable and trusted information. This Manifesto is designed to bridge the resource gap and link interested parties to reliable, trusted and authoritative information and resources.”
Along with the Manifesto, which was created by BJM Solutions, ACE will also provide continued support to maintain the accompanying website as the industry evolves, with continued partnership with other organizations who are also committed to the realization of the legislation’s goal of promoting economic and social justice in the cannabis industry.
“The legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis in Connecticut presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for entrepreneurs. The Social Equity Council and the legislation are attempting to ensure the opportunity to prosper for marginalized groups that have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs,” said Fred McKinney, Ph.D., Founder BJM Solutions. “This Manifesto provides the first vital step towards that goal. We understand in order to make these opportunities a reality for Black and Brown entrepreneurs, ACE and others will need to work tirelessly, otherwise, we will not meet the objectives of equity and inclusion in the wealth generation that will occur.”
The Alliance was created to focus on social equity and the economic opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs and minority workers in the field of cannabis across the state of Connecticut. The emphasis on social equity will create significant economic opportunities for Black and Brown entrepreneurs and minority workers within the state.
About ConnCORP ConnCORP seeks to drive economic development in the Dixwell and Newhallville sections of New Haven by investing in local commercial and residential real estate. The objective is to deliver well-planned multi-use real estate investment, which can help stabilize the local economy, provide affordable goods and services, and create local jobs. Learn more at Conncorp.org.
About The WorkPlace The WorkPlace conducts comprehensive planning and coordinates regional workforce development policy and programs to prepare people for careers while strengthening the workforce for employers. As a national leader in the field, The WorkPlace regularly shares ideas and best practices with lawmakers, foundations, think tanks and other workforce development organizations around the country.