CareerRise, a leader in workforce development, becomes independent 501(c)3

PRESS RELEASE

CareerRise, a leader in workforce development, becomes independent 501(c)3

Since inception, Atlanta CareerRise has invested more than $13M in workforce development

Atlanta, GA (January 18, 2023) – On January 1, 2023, CareerRise, a leader in workforce development, transitioned to an independent 501(c)3 separate from United Way of Greater Atlanta. Since 2011, CareerRise has invested more than $13M in workforce development programs supporting economic mobility and racial equity to improve the well-being of individuals, families and communities across Greater Atlanta.

“CareerRise’s focus on strengthening the region’s workforce development system to help create equitable access to opportunity positions us as a long-term, strategic partner in supporting the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s mission of improving child well-being,” explained John Helton, CEO and President of CareerRise.

CareerRise is a workforce intermediary that strategically connects the dots between employers, training providers, support services, job seekers and workforce funders to build partnerships and implement equitable workforce strategies in metro Atlanta. Similar to other entities that were incubated with United Way of Greater Atlanta, CareerRise will continue to receive funding for efforts that align with United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Child Well Being Investment Priorities.

For years, United Way of Greater has incubated important initiatives like CareerRise that have benefited the Greater Atlanta community. These initiatives have emerged because of the expertise of staff and volunteers who identified a gap in the community. United Way of Greater Atlanta has led these efforts, provided funding to launch these efforts, staff leadership on the strategic direction and often fiscally sponsored these efforts. Such efforts include GEEARS, which was established in 2010 to help business, civic and government leaders maximize the economic return on the state’s investments in early care and learning.

“Like GEEARS, CareerRise has benefited from incredible staff and volunteers managed by United Way of Greater Atlanta,” says Milton J. Little, Jr., CEO and President of United Way of Greater Atlanta. “And like GEEARS, it’s time for CareerRise to grow and expand beyond our organization. I’m excited to continue to partner in the next chapter of CareerRise as we jointly work to improve the lives of children, families and communities across Greater Atlanta.” Little will serve as board chair of CareerRise during its inaugural year.

Transitioning CareerRise to a stand-alone nonprofit entity has been part of its leadership’s overall strategy for the organization’s long-term development. The independent status will allow CareerRise to hone and streamline its focus in serving its unique role as the preeminent workforce development intermediary for the region.

“Skilled labor shortages are prevalent across most Georgia industries, but especially construction. The CareerRise network takes a unified approach connecting passionate workforce stakeholders. We connect real people to training and wage-growth employment opportunities,” says Beth Lowry, President of Holder Construction and vice-chair/chair-elect of CareerRise. “CareerRise is good for business and our community.”

For more information on CareerRise, including new contact information and FAQs, click here, or email team@careerriseatlanta.org.

Contact:
John Helton
404-282-7975
jhelton@careerriseatlanta.org