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Michigan WORKS! > TeamWork NorthWest > What's New
What's New
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| Poverty Reduction Gets Boost from TeamWork NorthWest and United Way |
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| by Janie McNabb |
| Thursday, July 20, 2006 |
Poverty Reduction Gets Boost from TeamWork NorthWest and United Way
Job Retention Program receives Impact 1000 Grant, will continue to help “working poor”
TRAVERSE CITY, MI --- Helping people keep their jobs and become productive employees is the primary goal of TeamWork NorthWest, a poverty reduction program provided through Northwest Michigan Council of Governments, Michigan WORKS! and Department of Human Services. The program offers services to local businesses and their employees, thanks to the United Way of Northwest Michigan’s Impact 1000 Grant. TeamWork NorthWest was awarded the $109,000 grant on June 22, and announced the honor at a news conference on July 19.
“We plan to add at least six new employers in Kalkaska County and elsewhere in the region,” said Elaine Wood, Deputy Director for Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. “We have had such wonderful success in our first year; this grant will allow us to build on that success in the coming years.”
The program employs three Retention Specialists, or case workers, who have offices at participating businesses. Supervisors refer employees who are at risk for job loss to TeamWork NorthWest. The Retention Specialist meets with the worker and finds resources to help overcome problems that might lead to job loss. The program has helped people with domestic violence, child care issues, transportation difficulties, medical needs, homelessness, heating and electrical shut off, financial management, and much more.
“It’s hard to imagine coming to work every day while dealing with the issues our clients deal with,” said Deb Nale, TeamWork NorthWest Retention Specialist at Crystal Mountain Resort. “Many of the people we help would normally lose their jobs because they couldn’t make it to work on time or couldn’t concentrate on their work. Crystal Mountain shows how much it cares about its employees by participating in this program.”
Businesses benefit from this program by reduced turnover and increased profitability. Crystal Mountain Resort boasts 51 employees in the program. Other participating businesses include Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Grand Traverse Pavilions, Bayshore Resort, Great Lakes Stainless, and Great Lakes Trim.
“TeamWork NorthWest is exactly the kind of program that Impact 1000 seeks to help,” said Pam Prairie, Director of United Way of Northwest Michigan. “This program represents a collaboration of 11 organizations and has an innovative approach to meeting a community need.”
The Impact 1000 Grant consists of funds from many different donors of $1000 or more. Donors choose the recipient of the grant, casting one vote for each $1000 contribution. Children of donors also play a role, learning about charitable giving through the Financial Literacy for Youth (FLY) program. Rotary Charities provided a $50,000 challenge grant. For more information about Impact 1000, contact United Way of Northwest Michigan at (231) 947-3200.
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This page last updated on 10/23/2006.
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In accordance with the Americans for Disabilities Act (ADA), the information in this site is available in an alternative format upon request received by this office. Michigan relay number for the deaf: (800) 649-3777. Equal Opportunity Employer/Program.
All content copyright © 2001-2008 Northwest Michigan Council of Governments.
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