Fedcap UK Receives Five Honors in Employment Related Services Association Awards

Fedcap UK Receives Five Honors in Employment Related Services Association Awards

Brian Bell, CEO of Fedcap UK

The Employment Related Services Association (ERSA) Employability Awards honor the hard work and dedication of the employment support sector in the UK. They recognize best practices and the achievements of those working to support job seekers in their progression to work, as well as customers who, with courage and commitment, overcome challenges as they strive to reach their full potential.

A virtual ceremony recently recognized ERSA award winners across 12 categories, and Fedcap UK was honored to have five winners! Lorna Beaton, an engagement manager for Fedcap Scotland, was honored for leading a team that repeatedly hits employment targets and has engaged online with over 9,500 participants throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is really fantastic to be recognized in this way,” Lorna said. “The award is a reflection of lots of amazing people I work with and the passion they have to helping others.”

Also recognized was Business 2 Business, a Fedcap UK service partner with 33 years of experience in delivering employment and health-based programs that has supported over 450 Links to Work customers in gaining work readiness skills and finding employment.

Fedcap UK customers Jazmin and Julie received awards for overcoming some incredible barriers to start their journey back into work. Jazmin, who suffers from a genetic disorder, has put in the hard work to gain the skills and confidence she needs to enter the workforce. Julie, who had been unemployed for 17 years and faced significant barriers in returning to work, is now employed and was elated at being honored at the awards ceremony.

“It was an experience I will never forget. I’m so very grateful for Fedcap for all their support, and for nominating me for the award,” Julie said.

Finally, Brian Bell, Chief Executive of Fedcap UK, was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to the Sector Achiever Award. Brian has been a leading innovator in the sector since the 1980s, designing and delivering cutting-edge services to help disadvantaged people in UK communities and consistently achieve huge social impact–under his watch, he and his teams have supported more than a million people to lead better lives.

According to ERSA: “Driven by a strong social purpose coupled with commerciality, Brian has achieved results in the public, private and voluntary sectors. He is rightly recognized across the sector as an expert in creating innovative interventions that work for the people who need them most. He has consistently used his expertise and influence to achieve huge impact in the UK and beyond.”

Brian said: “I am extremely humbled to have been awarded this recognition from my peers in the sector. As always, these awards are a yearly reminder of the positive impact our sector has on people’s lives every day. As we move forward into uncertain economic times, it’s important that this work continues and that communities that have been left behind in the past are not left in the rear-view mirror once again.”

Wildcat Service Corp. works with Queens Councilman to Clear District of Graffiti

Wildcat Service Corp. works with Queens Councilman to Clear District of Graffiti

Wildcat Service Corp., in partnership with New York City Councilman Robert Holden, cleaned buildings marked with graffiti in several Queens neighborhoods with its Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP), after an increase in spray paint and vandalism incidents. Read the Queens Courier article, and visit Wildcat’s website to learn more about their work and how our teams can assist New York City Council members and state legislators in keeping their districts clean, and more. 

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Celebrating the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

NEW YORK, NY (July 27, 2020) — This week marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which President George H.W. Bush, who signed the ADA into law, described as “a declaration of equality.” The legislation was widely hailed as expanding the rights and independence of Americans with disabilities, and as “the most sweeping anti-discrimination measure since the Civil Rights Act of 1964.”

The ADA banned discrimination against people with disabilities in employment, transportation, public accommodations, communications and access to state and local government’ programs and services to ensure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Today we take ramps, closed captioning and workplace accommodations for granted, but prior to the ADA these were not available for the tens of millions of Americans living with a disability.

The Fedcap Group is honored to recognize the 30th anniversary of the ADA, which brought fairness, opportunity and fulfillment to the lives of millions. We understand the life-changing implications of having the opportunity to reach one’s own potential. Thanks to the ADA and the brave individuals with disabilities who fought for its passage, we no longer think of people with disabilities as different from anyone else.

There is still a long way to go to ensure full rights and participation, but we stand with the nation in celebrating this milestone legislation as well as the immeasurable contributions of people with disabilities to the safety, prosperity and well-being of our country.

CWS’ Double Impact Initiative Addresses Food Insecurity and Young Adult Homelessness in Boston Area

CWS’ Double Impact Initiative Addresses Food Insecurity and Young Adult Homelessness in Boston Area

BOSTON (July 8, 2020) — Throughout its 143-year history, Community Work Services has addressed the roots of poverty through employment, education, and housing improvements. Today CWS is bringing that same vision to bear on the crisis of homelessness and food insecurity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

CWS’ recent Double Impact Initiative with Breaktime, a youth-led nonprofit and social enterprise, has a twofold purpose– to help young adult homeless acquire job skills and economic stability, and to create meals for first responders and food-insecure participants in Boston-area communities in crisis. Read more about the program on the CWS New England website.

Safe Harbor Recovery Center Re-Opens

Safe Harbor Recovery Center Re-Opens

PORTSMOUTH, NH (July 6, 2020) — Safe Harbor Recovery Center, a program of Granite Pathways, has resumed in-person support services for individuals recovering from substance use disorders in the first phase of a three-phase opening. Visits are by appointment or crisis drop-in only with temperature checks, and masks and hand sanitizers are available. Learn more on the Granite Pathways website. 

Fedcap Employment Finalists in UK Employability Awards

Fedcap Employment Finalists in UK Employability Awards

MIDDLESBROUGH, UK (June 26, 2020) — The UK’s ERSA recognizes best practices and the significant achievements of those supporting job seekers in their progression into work. The awards also recognize customers who have overcome their challenges to reach their full potential. Announcements were made on UK Employability Day, Friday, June 26, 2020 – the day when the employability sector recognizes the work of all who assist jobseekers in achieving their goals. Winners for each category will be announced on July 22. 

Read about our finalists and their achievements on the Fedcap Employment website. 

Fedcap Rehabilitation: Maintaining Essential Services in The Big Apple

Fedcap Rehabilitation: Maintaining Essential Services in The Big Apple

NEW YORK, NY (June 29, 2020) Fedcap Rehabilitation is a member of SourceAmerica’s network of more than 600 nonprofit agencies. This network employs more than 90,000 people with disabilities nationwide, some of them through the U.S. AbilityOne® Program, which is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Jason Golden of SourceAmerica spoke with our colleagues at Fedcap Rehabilitation. Read the article on the SourceAmerica website.

New York State Recognizes Easterseals New York Food Bank

New York State Recognizes Easterseals New York Food Bank

PORT JERVIS, NY (June 29, 2020) — New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has written a letter to the food banks of New York—including Easterseals New York’s Community Outreach—recognizing their remarkable work in feeding needy New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The letter reads in part—“Your tireless efforts have helped feed countless New Yorkers in need as we face one of the biggest public health crises in our history, and I truly can’t thank you enough for stepping up in this time of great need. Day after day, you exemplify selflessness in the face of long, difficult hours and unprecedented challenges, providing an example of commitment and compassion at a time when it is truly needed most.” Learn more about the program, and ways to contribute to support the work of Easterseals New York, on the Easterseals New York website.

Caring for Frontline Workers’ Children

Caring for Frontline Workers’ Children

VALHALLA, NEW YORK (June 30, 2020) — Throughout New York State, massive shifts have occurred for workers, many of whom are parents who suddenly needed child care when schools closed. Although many office-bound parents could keep their children at home for remote education, parents who work in health care, as first responders, or in other essential functions needed help, and fast. 

View the full story on the Easterseals New York website and consider making a donation to help us continue supporting our first responders.

Single Stop Receives Award for Tax Innovation

Single Stop Receives Award for Tax Innovation

Single Stop, a company of The Fedcap Group, was recently presented with a national award for its innovative work in helping low-income individuals prepare and file their tax returns in the face of the health, economic and social challenges gripping the nation.

Tax Time Allies, a group of organizations providing tax preparation services to low income people, and The Intuit Financial Freedom Foundation, which supports programs that promote financial literacy and independence, recently created the Tax Time Allies ACE Award for agencies that go above and beyond in helping these individuals prepare their tax returns. Visit the Single Stop website to learn more.