Workforce Development Initiative

Rotary Club of Richmond’s Workforce Development Initiative. $65,000 investment for East End Residents in Richmond

The Rotary Club of Richmond and its members have the privilege and resources to infuse the community with much-needed support. Started in January 2022, the club partners with ReWork Richmond -an organization that partners and identifies individuals in East Richmond who show the desire and ability to make themselves contributing members of society. They do this by enabling select individuals to get the education and resources they need to secure jobs that pay a living wage. The process involves mentorship and a continued relationship that can last years until the participants’ lives are on track. Please visit Rework’s website at Reworkrichmond.org.

Club members John Purnell Jr. and Charles Layman will coordinate this project over multiple years with Deb Lawrence of ReWork Richmond our partner on this project. ReWork Richmond will train and place residents, currently 25 in number, from the East End of Richmond to prepare for work/career in the fields of healthcare and manufacturing. Success in this program has grown significantly and we are engaged with many more than the first 10 residents who started almost 3 years ago.  Participants’ ages range from 22-58. RCOR members will mentor program participants throughout this period. John is the former CEO of FRIENDS Association for Children and Charles is the former president and CEO of Goodwill of Central and Coastal Virginia.

By Club Past Presidents Chuck Duvall, Paul Neumann, & John White.

Please see the slide presentation below to learn more about Workforce Development.