Organization Name:
Center of Workforce Innovations, Inc.
Executive Leader Name/Title:
Lisa M. Daugherty, President & CEO
Website: www.cwicorp.com

Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/workonenwi/

https://www.instagram.com/gotoworkonenwi/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/workone-northwest-indiana/

https://www.tiktok.com/@workonenwi

Tell us about your organization’s mission and the communities you serve:
We serve a seven-county region in Northwest Indiana. Those counties include Lake, Porter, La Porte, Jasper, Newton, Pulaski, and Starke counties.

What are the key services and programs you offer:
CWI acts as staff to the Workforce Board providing services under WIOA funding. In addition, CWI provides oversight and acts as a service provider for Adult Education and Family Literacy Services. We also receive funding for apprenticeships and are providing opportunities to individuals through modern apprenticeships. Outside of federal and state funding, we have received funding to expand work-based learning opportunities for youth and adults, provide additional services to employers through on-the-job training and occupational skills training for current employees. In addition, we have adopted sector consortiums including South Shore FAME (for manufacturing and healthcare), positioning ourselves more concretely as the voice of employers with educators, community organizations, job seekers, and students. We have established the Regional Education and Employer Alliance for Developing Youth (READY), which provides youth with the skills, tools, and resources needed to succeed in college and careers. One of the programs offered includes Bridging the Gap, providing services and activities to those seniors in high schools without a plan after graduation. The services include assessments, goal setting, learning about resume writing, financial literacy, and participating in a career fair. Finally, CWI has collaborated with key leaders in various communities to create hubs where community members can go to receive workforce, education, and community resources.

Can you share a success story or impactful moment from your work:
Ugeneka Findley participated in a number of services within the One Stop System. She is a single parent, involved in the justice system, and was a high school dropout. She started with Adult Education services in the hopes of obtaining her high school diploma. She was referred to WorkOne for out-of-school WIOA youth services. The Career Advisor provided her with additional resources including transportation assistance. In addition, Ugeneka completed online courses through a platform called 220 Leadership. The courses included work readiness (creating a resume and interview skills), financial literacy, and leadership

development. After completing 220 Leadership, her Career Advisor referred her to the Growth Opportunity Project. This program aided her in getting her life back on track after her involvement in the adult and juvenile justice system. She was extremely interested in the program and all it had to offer, especially the work experience portion. Ugeneka was interested in giving back to the community, so a work experience at the Northwest Indiana Food Bank was set up for her. She began her work experience as a production assistant at $13/hr. She successfully completed her work experience at the Food Bank and was hired as a permanent employee making $16/hr. When asked what challenges she faced before receiving services, Ugeneka responded that she didn't realize the importance of education or that career counseling was available to her. When asked how all the programs impacted her life, Ugeneka responded that the programs helped her with a second chance after being a felon. She pushed open the doors to WorkOne and encourages others to go through the same doors that helped her in so many ways. Finally, when asked what was the best part of the process, she answered, “Being noticed and offered a second chance.”

Why did you join MUS?
CWI joined MUS for the opportunity to collaborate with other workforce boards, learn about new initiatives, and share ideas and best practices.

How has being a part of MUS benefited your organization so far?
Being a member of MUS has benefited CWI in a number of ways. We have the chance to interact with other MUS members and discuss issues and best practices. Being able to contact MUS with issues and MUS being a workforce advocate and providing legislative updates on various federal funding has been extremely helpful. In addition, the convening provides an opportunity to learn about other member programs and initiatives and allows us to see best practices in person. Finally, CWI has been fortunate enough to have been able to participate in grant opportunities and be a part of two Growth Opportunity Grants, which has allowed us to expand the services that we provide to our youth population.

Are there any partnerships or collaborations that have grown from your MUS membership?
One collaboration that has grown from the MUS membership is working with other members through the Growth Opportunity Grant. Attending the convening in Detroit allowed us to connect with our partners on the Growth Opportunity Grant to ask about progress, best practices, and share ideas. Being able to reach out and partner with other members on initiatives has been very beneficial for CWI.

Share something unique about your organization, team, or history that people may not know that you would like folks to know:
CWI is currently celebrating 25 years as an organization. CWI started as Workforce entity primarily serving as staff to the Workforce Board through workforce development funding but during our 25 years has grown into a trusted partner for education and workforce services. CWI continually looks at different opportunities to help our communities to grow through collaboration.