Cincinnati Works
Cincinnati Works partners with all willing and capable people living in poverty to assist them in advancing economic self-sufficiency through employment.
Dan Fleming
P&G Alumni Grant Champion
Dan Fleming
17-years with P&G Finance / Product Supply
P&G alum Dan Fleming has been a donor, Board Member, and volunteer at Cincinnati Works for over 17 years. Dan is “all-in” for Cincinnati Works, and a stalwart supporter of their mission as both a board member and donor.
“Cincinnati’s poverty level has become our #1 community crisis. Cincinnati Works is the only organization in town that connects those in poverty and the working poor with open jobs so they can earn their way out of poverty. I have enjoyed volunteering and working directly with the job seekers through mock interviewing and coaching on interview approaches and skills. This connection makes my efforts more fulfilling.” Dan Fleming
For 24+ years, Cincinnati Works (CW) has assisted those in poverty advance to financial independence through employment. It has built a uniquely successful model combining individualized, lifetime coaching and ongoing professional development. With its focus on job retention and advancement, CW has helped over 8,600 people begin their journey to financial independence.
The Job Readiness Program is the foundation of the Cincinnati Works model. It’s at the heart of their mission to partner with all willing and capable people living in poverty and assist them in advancing to economic self-sufficiency through employment. Preparing the chronically unemployed and working poor to acquire work that pays a decent wage and provides benefits is step one. Job Readiness begins with up-front, one-on-one coaching. Clients are matched with coaches who learn about their work history and job interests, understand their potential barriers to employment, then work with them to develop individualized career plans.
The $20,000 P&G Alumni Foundation grant will support the personnel, equipment, and materials needed to carry out the Job Readiness Program. Personnel include professional development and financial coaches, training facilitators, behavioral counselors, and other support staff. Cincinnati Works anticipates about 400 to 600 employments will be achieved and 200 individuals trained annually. As many as 650 family, friends and neighbors connected to them will be influenced by the gains they make.
“From Drug & Alcohol Addiction to a Passion for Service”
When he walked in a rehabilitation center in June 2018, Evan Van Skaik’s body was so beaten down by drugs and alcohol that he needed a walker to get around. Two years later, he walks into his new apartment as a stable, valued employee at a local non-profit, a leader in a local running group, and a committed father.
He rebuilt his body, mind, and spirit by focusing on small, immediate tasks: completing a job application, working a shift, making a monthly payment or running faster or farther than the day before.
A graduate of Job Readiness Program, Evan credits his instructor with boosting his confidence, and his staffing specialist with keeping his spirits up during the job search.
Van Skaik is now on the manufacturing team at Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired. Most of his co-workers are blind or visually impaired, so he also plays a key support role. It fits with his passion for service.
“That is the basis of my life right now – empowering myself and others,” Van Skaik said.