Connecting Experts & Supporters Of Workforce Development

As part of our growing philanthropic advisory services, Brooklyn Org recently hosted a donor briefing on workforce development, bringing together a panel of local community-based nonprofits whose impact is felt across the borough.  Speakers included Kalilah Moon, Executive Director at Drive Change; Stephanie Klocke, Director of Career Services at Green City Force; Gregory J. Morris, Chief Executive Officer of New York City Employment & Training Coalition (NYCETC); and Aaron Shiffman, Executive Director of Brooklyn Workforce Innovations, with the panel moderated by Nakisha (Nikki) Evans, Senior Vice President of Workforce Development at Brooklyn Navy Yard. These organizations work with historically underserved populations, including BIPOC communities, low-income individuals, and people whose lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system.

Our President & CEO Dr. Jocelynne Rainey kicked off the conversation by framing these donor education events as part of our larger mission and work, sharing: “We are assembled here this morning to engage in conversation about one facet of the disparity between our hopes and dreams for our beloved borough and the reality on the ground.” For context, Brooklyn’s unemployment rate is higher than the national rate, coming in at 5.7% — and recent data shows that 1 in 7 Brooklynites over 25 doesn’t have their High School diploma. The panel conversation addressed these realities, touching on policy, impact and performance, support for underserved communities, employer and industry relationships, and systemic barriers to success.

DEFINING SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS

Understanding and defining impact emerged as a consistent theme for all of our speakers. Kalilah highlighted the nuances of working with formerly-incarcerated individuals at Drive Change, emphasizing how the organization works with participants to define a quality job according to their needs and interests:  “We ask, ‘what you want to get out of this program?,’ and participants have the ability to determine their own definition of success.”

Similarly, Aaron discussed the “image” of success for Brooklyn Workforce Innovation’s program participants and the challenges of quantifying impact in relation to funding, as he noted that someone’s success over time is supported by various services and resources that add up to a greater impact. While the panel agreed on a nuanced approach to discussing impact, Stephanie from Green City Force added that metrics, such as employee retention, are important indicators of success.

CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

Our panel also discussed the challenges of vital collaboration with employers. Gregory of NYCETC explained that employers seek workers with the necessary skills readily available. He also discussed the interaction of state and national policy with workforce development, highlighting the “benefits cliff”— where someone can suddenly lose critical public assistance benefits when their income increases slightly (but doesn’t increase enough to cover the support needed to survive without benefits), a systemic barrier to increasing income.

Addressing a potentially challenging dynamic with employers, Aaron of Brooklyn Workforce Innovation shared a collaborative approach: “Workforce development works best when [employers] invest… when they share what they need, we can work backward and support their needs. When they share their pain, we can help to resolve that for them.” The panel also addressed the ongoing literacy crisis in NYC, which significantly impacts access to professional development, training, and educational opportunities, resources which are critical to starting a sustainable career.

CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY OF EXPERTS & SUPPORTERS

Brooklyn Org extends a special thank you to our partners at Drive Change for graciously hosting the event at their headquarters. We appreciate our panelists and moderator for sharing their expertise, and our community of donor advisors for joining us for an engaging and informative conversation.

Our team was proud to host this panel of nonprofit leaders to share invaluable insights into workforce development, and how together we can support jobs and economic opportunity in the borough. Brooklyn Org is your partner to give back — see how you can maximize your community impact today by exploring a fund at Brooklyn Org.