Employment Equity

Workforce Development

Our funding focus

We invest in a collaborative Battle Creek workforce development ecosystem, ensuring all families, regardless of where they enter the system, have equitable access to stable, high-quality jobs, while removing the barriers that keep people from working.

Our partnerships include:   

• Workforce development support: Kellogg Community College co-locates career training and other employment services, including wraparound supports, within neighborhood organizations to expanded access to technology, coaching and incentives to help students complete their degrees and enter the workforce.
• Equitable access to job training:  Organizations like Michigan Works! Southwest create neighborhood employment hubs, bringing training and employment services directly into neighborhoods that need them.
• Eliminating barriers to employment: Legal Services of South Central Michigan addresses barriers to employment opportunities rooted in inequity — such as lack of transportation, child care and housing, or involvement with the legal system. Additional partnerships help families increase financial literacy and capability.
• Early childhood education workforce development:  Our comprehensive strategy with partners like Community Action addresses the shortage of early childhood educators through recruitment, training and creating a pipeline of diverse early childhood education professionals.