Centralina Workforce Development Board Recognizes National Volunteer Month

April recognizes all those who give their time and energy during National Volunteer Month. Volunteering allows members of our region to not only make a sizable impact, but it also gives them the opportunity to connect with people in their community who need extra support and resources. For Centralina Workforce Development Board (WDB) and our NCWorks Career Centers, picking just one cause to highlight or helping the region on just one day out of the year didn’t seem sufficient to meet the needs of our communities. In response to this, Centralina WBD decided to pursue volunteerism on different days throughout the year by way of their annual “Centralina Year of Giving.” This year’s theme is “Today’s Job Seekers – Tomorrow’s Leaders.” Centralina NCWorks Career Center leaders worked with community partners to provide both outreach and hands-on help to those in the community by raising awareness of the resources that NCWorks has to offer. The following is a look at the many volunteer efforts provided in the Centralina WDB region throughout the past year. 

NCWorks Career Center-Mooresville 

On November 18, 2022, the NCWorks Career Center-Mooresville team, led by Center Leader Jens Schmidt, provided information on NCWorks services to shoppers at the Habitat for Humanity Store while setting up Christmas trees and decorating them holiday ornaments. Because of the NCWorks team’s effort decorating the trees, Habitat was able to sell them for additional funds that went back to help members of the community in need.  

NCWorks Career Center-Rowan  

This year, the NCWorks Career Center-Rowan team, led by Center Leader Joseph Dismuke, focused their attention and service on the local homeless shelter at Rowan Helping Ministries in Salisbury, where there is a need for stable employment and other opportunities. The NCWorks team assisted individuals with employment resources and resume services. They also used this opportunity to discuss and provide step-by-step instruction on utilizing video technology, which has been a pivotal tool used to mitigate accessibility issues that were caused due to COVID-19. 

NCWorks Career Center-Union County  

NCWorks Career Center-Union County, led by Center Leader Thomas Foster, decided to give back to the community and fulfill a need for outreach by volunteering to serve lunch at the Union County Community Shelter’s kitchen in Monroe. By serving lunch and exchanging friendly conversation, they were able to communicate the advantages of NCWorks services in an equal and non-authoritarian environment. In addition to serving lunch at the shelter, the team also provided coffee, tea, orange juice and donuts for 100 teachers and staff at East Union Elementary School in Marshville. Providing a Continental Breakfast to Elementary School teachers and staff was an act of letting them know they are appreciated and at the front line of ensuring a sustainable workforce through educating their students and the parents who are the children’s greatest influencers. 

NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus  

NCWorks Career Center-Cabarrus, led by Denisha Nesbit, went above and beyond to help the citizens of the Centralina WDB region. Denisha and her team worked with local Walmart stores to obtain new clothing for local women and children who could not afford to shop for these items. These clothes were offered at no charge to career seekers in Cabarrus County on March 3, 2023, along with information on NCWorks Career Center services to help them return to the workforce. 

NCWorks Career Center-Iredell/Statesville  

NCWorks Career Center-Iredell/Statesville, led by Anissa Morton, focused on Statesville Housing Authority residents. NCWorks Career Center staff provided information on resume writing best practice tips, interviewing techniques, employment and training materials, and veteran services. Center staff and community partners, including the Iredell Council on Aging, Iredell Department of Social Services and Mitchell Community College, discussed how career center and partner services align to benefit the community.  

What’s Next? 

Centralina WDB and our local NCWorks Career Centers will continue this initiative through May 2023 by participating in multiple service events in our regional communities. We would like to thank the NCWorks Career Center leaders, their staff, our community partners and all those involved with this year’s Centralina Year of Giving. Centralina WDB is very grateful for everyone’s efforts in connecting with and serving our communities! Together, our region will be stronger, more resilient and ready to tackle the future challenges that lie ahead for our workforce.