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Newly Created Heckscher Foundation Workforce Development Grants Aim to Create More Than 1,100 Full-Time Jobs in New York

Newly Created Heckscher Foundation Workforce Development Grants Aim to Create More Than 1,100 Full-Time Jobs in New York

$7.6 Million in Grants Will Support Innovative Hiring Programs for State’s Underserved Youth

New York, NY—July 19, 2023—The Heckscher Foundation for Children today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind workforce development program intended to create more than 1,100 full-time jobs for underserved young adults in New York State. The Heckscher Foundation Challenge is providing $7.6 million in grant funding to 20 colleges, community-based organizations, and one high school that have partnered with employers to train, mentor and provide full-time jobs to underprivileged youth. Young adults under the age of 25 participating in the programs will develop the necessary skills and receive the training required for success in today’s workforce.

The Heckscher Foundation’s unique initiative is a transformative grant model for work readiness and job placement programs. It differs from traditional models because a full-time job commitment from the employer partner is required to be considered for grant funding. This new initiative will provide job seekers with a clear path to a meaningful career – and offer a critical solution to ongoing workforce shortages.

“Traditional models for philanthropic workforce development have remained stagnant for decades, failing to produce adequate full-time job opportunities for the communities that need them the most,” said Peter Sloane, CEO of the Heckscher Foundation. “With an ongoing labor shortage, our new initiative comes at a critical time and serves as a model for shifting the paradigm of workforce development programming. We applaud our grantees and employer partners who are giving these young people a chance at a lifelong career, and we hope the initiative inspires others to adopt our approach of creating alternative paths to full-time employment.”

The 20 grantees working with dozens of employer partners across New York State are as follows:

● Commonpoint Queens is partnering with employers including SC Prime Energy LTD and Cosan Construction.

● Covenant House is partnering with employers including Delta and Hard Rock International.

● CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College is partnering with employers including Phoenix House.

● CUNY New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute is partnering with employers including Young Minds in Motion and Brooklyn Kindergarten Society.

● CUNY Queensborough Community College is partnering with employers including Next Solutions, ACS Networking, Clearcom Wireless Services, LLC, Hugh O’Kane Electric Company Inc, KT&G Construction Inc and InRange Solutions.

● Drive Change is partnering with employers including Café Panna, Crafted Hospitality, and Marlow Collective.

● East Side House is partnering with employers including New York Presbyterian Hospital.

● Henry Street Settlement is partnering with employers including Climatec and Dual Fuel Corp.

● Hot Bread Kitchen is partnering with employers including Eataly and Restaurant Associates.

● Jewish Community Center of Staten Island is partnering with employers including D’Onofrio General Contracting Corp.

● NPower is partnering with employers including NYC Hall of Science.

● Reel Works is partnering with employers including Paramount, Jigsaw Productions, Harbor Picture Company, and A+E Television Networks LLC.

● Say Yes Buffalo Scholarship is partnering with employers including The Buffalo News, M&T Bank, Wegmans, and Delaware North.

● St. Nicks Alliance is partnering with employers including Asian Americans for Equality and Star Hospitality Group.

● SUNY Cobleskill is partnering with employers including Montefiore Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

● SUNY Delhi is partnering with employers including JBT Corporation.

● SUNY Genesee Community College is partnering with employers including Edwards Vacuums and Amanda Tool America.

● The Door is partnering with employers including Cava and Dig.

● Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School is partnering with employers including Penske and Donnelly Mechanical.

● Wildcat Service Corporation is partnering with employer Brooklyn SolarWorks.

“For years, New York State has lacked a workforce development program that taught students the skills needed to succeed in the wireless and telecom industries,” said Thomas Marciano, Board Member and Co-Chair of the Workforce Development Committee at the New York State Wireless Association (NYSWA), a trade organization representing employers. “By providing this grant, the Heckscher Foundation for Children has stepped in to fill a significant void, enabling educators and employers to meet industry needs. NYSWA is grateful to the Heckscher Foundation for this work readiness funding, which gives students new opportunities to be a part of a diverse and qualified workforce.”

“The number one challenge for workforce development programs is aligning student skills with the businesses’ needs. Without this alignment, students need to be retrained, increasing the program’s cost,” said Moses Ojeda, Principal of Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Education High School. “But thanks to work readiness funding through our grant from the Heckscher Foundation, our employer partners know that Thomas Edison students graduate with the specific career and technical skills they need to succeed. The Heckscher Foundation for Children is rethinking workforce development, and our aspiring students and employers across the state will reap the rewards.”

“Young people involved with the legal system often experience tremendous difficulty finding stable employment due to lack of support and employer prejudice,” said Kalilah Moon, Executive Director of Drive Change, a nonprofit providing hospitality industry training for formerly incarcerated youth. “For years, Drive Change has been working to correct that by providing our fellows with the skills they need to succeed in the hospitality industry, but we can’t do it alone. Thanks to work readiness funding through the Heckscher Foundation Challenge, we can help many more fellows rebuild their lives, beginning with long-term, secure employment.”

“Queensborough Community College’s Computer Engineering Technology program gives our students a solid foundation that prepares them for today’s workforce,” Queensborough Community College President Christine Mangino said. “We are thrilled to partner with the Heckscher Foundation, which requires us to bring our employer partners in at the onset to both align our curriculum to employer needs and commit to hiring our students for full-time employment. It is a true collaboration.”

“Reel Works is honored and thrilled to partner with the Heckscher Foundation for Children on this exciting challenge to create pathways to careers in media for underrepresented New Yorkers,” said Keisha Katz, Director of Workforce and External Partnerships at Reel Works. “We know from over 20 years of experience training young filmmakers that talent and ability know no zip code, and we are proud to work with visionary companies like Paramount, A+E Networks, Jigsaw Productions, and Harbor to create paid apprenticeships for in-demand skills in film and television post-production. Our MediaMKRS program is centered on the conviction that when employers, educators, and philanthropists collaborate, we can address the crisis of inclusion in the entertainment industry by providing paid work-based-learning apprenticeships that lead to jobs with family-sustaining wages and opportunities for advancement.”

In January, the Heckscher Foundation began requesting grant proposals from New York high schools, colleges, and community-based organizations to address the serious misalignment between the skills of unemployed individuals and the surplus of available jobs in New York. Initially, the Heckscher Foundation intended to provide $3 million in grant funding, but an unprecedented interest from the community resulted in nearly 100 submitted applications. To meet the demand, the Heckscher Foundation increased available funding to $7.6 million.

The Heckscher Foundation awarded grants to organizations that are providing targeted training and partnering with employers committed to hiring based on strict guidelines, training milestones, skill mastery, and data-driven information on performance. Heckscher did not accept applications offering only internships or part-time employment to ensure the program created full-time job opportunities for young adults who want to pursue a meaningful career and achieve financial stability.

Participating employers represent various industry sectors, including hospitality, technology, construction, manufacturing, renewable energy and healthcare. Youth benefiting from the programs include those who are out of school, out of work, graduates from high school and college, and those with involvement in the legal and foster care systems. The program duration for the cohorts will be over a two-year time period.

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About the Heckscher Foundation for Children
The Heckscher Foundation for Children uses venture philanthropy to fund innovative, results-driven programs and partnerships that level the playing field for underserved youth. Its grants focus primarily on education, including college access and persistence, workforce training and jobs access, and arts education that improves achievement in the classroom. Learn more at heckscherfoundation.org.

Contacts:
Heckscher Foundation: Heckscher@skdknick.com 

The Fedcap Group/Wildcat Service Corporation:
Susan Walsh
swalsh@fedcap.org

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Apex Instructor Shannon Wright: Teaching Chose Me

Apex Instructor Shannon Wright: Teaching Chose Me

Apex Technical School Construction & Building Skills Trade Instructor Shannon Wright Finds Success in Conveying Knowledge and Skills to the Next Generation

Shannon Wright didn’t envision herself as a teacher.

“The teaching career chose me,” she says.

Shannon joined Apex Technical School in 2022 following several years as an instructor at another trade school. Her experience included 11 years as a field electrician in New York City, where she began as an apprentice and worked her way up to journeyperson.

Although Shannon worked for the city’s Department of Education and considered becoming a guidance counselor earlier in her career, it wasn’t until a recruiter reached out to her online that she began to seriously consider becoming an educator.

As in field work, Shannon learned the craft of instruction by doing. She finds great joy in seeing her students learn and begin applying their skills – both in everyday situations as well as starting sustainable careers.

Find out more about Shannon’s career journey and career opportunities for experienced tradespeople at Apex Technical School on the Apex website.

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Community Work Services and Fedcap’s Apex Clean Energy Institute Awarded $200,000 Workforce Grant by State of Massachusetts to Train Returning Citizens in Solar Energy

Community Work Services and Fedcap’s Apex Clean Energy Institute Awarded $200,000 Workforce Grant by State of Massachusetts to Train Returning Citizens in Solar Energy

Boston, MA, July 12—Community Work Services in partnership with Fedcap’s Apex Technical School have received a $200,000 grant from the Re-Entry Workforce Development Demonstration Grants program, sponsored by Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, to continue their work in the already successful solar photovoltaic installation training program at CWS in Boston. Classes will comprise returning citizens following incarceration.

The Apex Clean Energy Institute’s 450-hour solar training program provides hands-on training in solar photovoltaic installation that result in well-paying, sustainable jobs in the high demand clean energy sector. Specifics of the program include basic digital skills and financial literacy, micro grids/smart grids and solar energy systems design, safety, fall protection, construction, power tools, safe operation, pipe bending, and racking assembly.

In the first solar training class offered this past winter at CWS to returning citizens, 80% of those enrolled completed the program and 75% were placed in jobs averaging $54,000 annually. A recent report by the Brookings Institution has found lower recidivism from returning citizens if they have sustainable employment.

Graduates of the 450-hour solar energy training program will receive six college credits from The Fedcap Group’s partner Paul Smith’s College. These credits can be used at Paul Smith’s or other colleges or universities to secure pathways into other certificate and degree programs to participate in additional upskilling to graduates of the Apex Clean Energy Institute.

“CWS and The Fedcap Group are dedicated to creating pathways to economic well-being that go beyond simply getting people a job,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group, the parent company of CWS and Apex. “Our mission is focused on creating opportunities that encourage people to aim high and obtain work that has long-term prospects, and our solar technician training program is doing just that.”

“CWS has been working with the Boston Community for more than 145 years, providing high-quality job skills training and employment opportunities, and the Apex Clean Energy Institute has already put people to work in high-demand, sustainable positions with career potential,” said Craig Stenning, Executive Director of CWS Boston. “We appreciate the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s belief in our program and their dedication to addressing workforce development for all.”

The launch of the new Apex Clean Energy Institute was made possible by funding from the
Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Commonwealth Corporation, and National Grid Foundation.

About The Fedcap Group
For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

About CWS
Founded in 1877, Community Work Services (CWS) helps people who face barriers to work obtain employment and achieve self-sufficiency through innovative job training, placement and support services. CWS is a company of The Fedcap Group.

About Apex Technical School
Since 1961, Apex Technical School has enjoyed a rich tradition of service to New Yorkers who know us well for our adult vocational technical school which offers training in skilled trades. Our hands-on training courses give individuals the basic trade and labor skills needed to secure an entry-level position in the field. Located in Long Island City in Queens, Apex offers 900-hour certificate courses in high demand areas such as: air conditioning and refrigeration, automotive service, welding technology, electrical and advanced electrical, plumbing and construction. All of Apex’s trade programs offer hands-on training in as little as 7 months. Apex is licensed by the New York State Education Department and accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges.

Apex Technical School is a nonprofit organization and a member of The Fedcap Group, an international nonprofit, dedicated to creating opportunities for people with barriers to economic well-being.

Contact:
Susan Walsh, 212-727-4200, (SWalsh@fedcap.org)

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In Memoriam: Bill Grinker

In Memoriam: Bill Grinker

The Fedcap Group is deeply saddened by the passing of our dear colleague and friend Bill Grinker. Bill was an icon in the field of human services in New York City. He is one of those rare individuals who really did make the world a better place.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison and of Harvard Law School, Bill used his education to advance equity and diversity and create positive change in communities. In 1973, Bill founded MDRC, a non-profit dedicated to reducing poverty and bolstering economic self-sufficiency. In 1986, Bill was appointed Commissioner of the Human Resources Administration of New York City under Mayor Ed Koch—advancing policies that made it easier for people in need to change the course of their lives.

In 1998, Bill Founded Seedco and Seedco Financial Services, and served as its President & CEO for a decade. After the events of September 11, 2001, Seedco was an essential force in revitalizing New York City’s decimated downtown. Bill also served on the New York City Planning Commission, helping to shape urban development and ensure that the city’s growth was inclusive and sustainable.

Bill possessed a fierce intelligence and a quick wit as well as a sensitive heart filled with love and humor.

“Bill was a tremendous asset to The Fedcap Group.  He helped us with various combinations, provided guidance as we worked to establish a community development financial institution, assisted us in designing our interventions at Rikers and our efforts to help youth in foster care enter college and graduate. Bill was also our brain trust as we strategized around international growth and program expansion,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “He was my dear friend and confidant, and I will miss him a great deal.”

In 2017 Wildcat, a company of The Fedcap Group, honored Bill with the Amalia Betanzos Award for Distinguished Service.  View the video below.

Bill will be deeply missed.

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Easterseals Lonestar Launches Inclusive eSports Program in Partnership with Local School Districts for At-Risk Students

Easterseals Lonestar Launches Inclusive eSports Program in Partnership with Local School Districts for At-Risk Students

Dallas, Texas – June 27, 2023 – Easterseals Lonestar has been awarded a contract by the Texas Workforce Commission to launch an eSports STEM workforce development program to engage at-risk high school students in a fun, engaging, and relevant way. The one-year, $100,000 pilot program is a partnership between Easterseals and local school districts to recruit students to participate in an eSports league that integrates opportunities to explore STEM careers. The program will officially start in the fall semester of the upcoming 2023-24 school year.

The eSports program will provide opportunities for students to connect and build relationships with local volunteers who have successful STEM careers, have conversations with guidance counselors who will help students develop individualized plans for appropriate post-secondary STEM experiences. Students will be able to engage with people in the online gaming industry, a growing segment offering well-paying jobs to entry-level workers and beyond.

“Our program will connect students with professionals and opportunities in the eSports industry,” said Tod Marvin, President of Easterseals Lonestar. “Given the right opportunities and supports every student can build a path to a successful future in the exciting and growing eSports sector. This is a first step in expanding STEM-based eSports education statewide.”

About Easterseals Lonestar
Easterseals Lonestar is an organizational merger of Easterseals Central Texas and Easterseals North Texas under the same administrative and leadership team. Easterseals Lonestar promotes independence and creates opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue their hopes and dreams. Easterseals Lonestar is a member of The Fedcap Group. For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency.

Contact: Susan Walsh, 212-727-4200, (SWalsh@fedcap.org)

 

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The Fedcap Middle and High School Celebrates 2023 Graduates at the 13th Commencement Ceremony

The Fedcap Middle and High School Celebrates 2023 Graduates at the 13th Commencement Ceremony

New York, NY – June 14, 2023 – Yesterday, the Fedcap School, a school dedicated to helping students ages 13-21 who have cognitive, multiple, or behavioral disabilities succeed, thrive into adulthood and achieve sustainable economic well-being, graduated 100% of its high school seniors, who received New Jersey-accredited diplomas after earning 130+ credits and completing state standardized testing. All of the school’s eligible middle school students are moving up to high school. The graduation marks the sixth consecutive year in which all eligible students are graduating.

The 10 graduating high school seniors will all have successfully placed into jobs or additional services including the Army ROTC, FedEx, Amazon, and the United States Postal Service. Four middle school eighth graders are moving up to high school as well.

The students are referred to the Fedcap School after being diagnosed with emotional regulation impairment, characterized by an inability to build or maintain satisfactory interpersonal relationships, inappropriate behaviors or feelings under normal circumstances, or a pervasive mood of unhappiness or depression. Abuse and violence are common occurrences in the lives of the students, which contributes to or exacerbates their symptoms.

Small class sizes and specially trained and dedicated instructors enable the students to learn and heal at their own pace, setting the stage for future success.

Students expressed their joy at reaching this milestone. “I will miss my days at the Fedcap School. You were always available, with an open door policy for conversation for any concerns we may have had. I cannot believe my time here is over,” said Valedictorian Kia’Rona Johnson during the ceremony. Another student, Al Rasheed Durden said, “The Fedcap School made me feel safe. The teachers really care.”

“The successful graduation of another class at the Fedcap Middle and High School is a testament to the inner strength of the students and the unshakable belief by our faculty that every student, when provided with the right supports, can succeed in school and step onto a path of sustainable economic well-being. We congratulate the Class of 2023 and wish them continued success,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group.

“We serve our students by communicating, listening and suspending judgement. We earn students’ confidence and we demonstrate mutual respect,” said Luanne Macri, Fedcap School Director. “Every year, we are profoundly moved by the remarkable progress each student makes and we’re proud of them all.”

About The Fedcap Group
For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

View the photo gallery. For media inquiries and high-resolution images, please contact:
Susan Walsh, 212-727-4200, (SWalsh@fedcap.org)

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LaGuardia Community College and The Fedcap Group Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Bring Industry-Recognized Programs to Civic Hall

LaGuardia Community College and The Fedcap Group Announce Groundbreaking Partnership to Bring Industry-Recognized Programs to Civic Hall

Civic Hall to Officially Open this Fall to Hundreds of Students

Courses Will Include Cyber Security, Digital Marketing, and Computer and IT Network Management

NEW YORK, NY – May 31, 2023 – LaGuardia Community College and The Fedcap Group have created a pioneering partnership that will place LaGuardia Community College as the first-ever educational partner for Civic Hall in Manhattan. The two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding and agreement during a ceremony at the future home of Civic Hall at Zero Irving in the vibrant Union Square area of New York City. This partnership represents a significant milestone in fostering educational collaborations in New York City.
 
Starting in September and ramping up with additional programs throughout the year, LaGuardia will offer several high-demand digital and technology education programs including cyber security, computer and IT network programming, digital marketing, and basics in accounting and Microsoft Office courses. LaGuardia will begin hosting open houses and recruitment events virtually this summer to maximize accessibility to a new population of students and learners. 
 
The initial agreement lasts for a full academic year, with a mutual expectation for a long-term collaboration to continue well beyond this period. The primary aim of this partnership is to foster a unique educational ecosystem that promotes skill-building, career development, and higher learning opportunities in the tech sector for individuals in the region.
 
“The Fedcap Group and LaGuardia Community College share a vision of creating innovative pathways to enhance the education and career prospects of our students,” said Kenneth Adams, President of LaGuardia Community College. “Our collaboration will open up new possibilities for students, not just at LaGuardia, but throughout New York.”
 
LaGuardia Community College and The Fedcap Group will work together to develop educational and upskilling pathways between LaGuardia and other training and education providers co-located at Zero Irving, including with The Fedcap Group’s Apex Technical School.   
 
“Our partnership with LaGuardia Community College is an exciting example of things to come at Civic Hall,” said Christine McMahon, President and CEO of The Fedcap Group. “LaGuardia Community College brings world-class programs in digital skills, technology, and innovation that will put many individuals on a path to economic well-being. Not only will this partnership help individuals, but it will also fill critical tech sector workforce gaps in New York City.”
 
“I am delighted that LaGuardia Community College has entered a partnership with Civic Hall to enhance workforce development and job training opportunities for New Yorkers. We must ensure that all New Yorkers have access to opportunities that build skills to meet the challenges of a changing economic landscape, and I look forward to further collaboration in supporting our community through creative partnerships like this one,” said New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera (D-02).
 
“Civic Hall at Union Square will serve as a hub for digital-skills training offering cutting-edge innovation, collaboration and educational trainings for New Yorkers, while also building a pipeline for the sector that reflects New York City’s tech ecosystem ,” said NYCEDC President & CEO President Andrew Kimball. “The partnership between Civic Hall and LaGuardia Community College will deliver on the goals of the hub to bring in-demand skills training and development to every New Yorker, regardless of background, to find economic opportunity in the tech ecosystem. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at Civic Hall on opening the nation’s leading skills and tech center.”
 
“Civic Hall at Union Square is a key resource for New York City as we look to develop the next generation of tech talent. I am excited to see this partnership with LaGuardia Community College, creating a pipeline for our students to well paying jobs in a sustainable, and growing sector,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine.
 
Civic Hall @ Union Square in RAL’s new Zero Irving development at 124 East 14th Street will occupy 85,000 square feet on seven floors and offer flexible classrooms and convening spaces for the nation’s leading digital skills and technology job training organizations. In addition, a stunning and customizable conference and events center anchors Civic Hall for use by the whole community. 
 
Stay tuned for more updates and details on events to be held at Civic Hall this summer.
 
About LaGuardia Community College 
LaGuardia Community College is a Hispanic-Serving Institution, located in Long Island City, Queens that offers more than 60 continuing education programs. As an institution of the City University of New York (CUNY), the College reflects the legacy of our namesake, Fiorello H. LaGuardia, the former NYC mayor beloved for his advocacy of underserved populations. Since 1971, LaGuardia’s academic programs and support services have advanced the socioeconomic mobility of students while providing them with access to a high quality, affordable college education.
 
About Civic Hall
Civic Hall’s mission is to support and enable best-in-class programs that help close the digital skills divide and plan for the needs of tomorrow’s workforce. Located in the heart of the NYC tech community at Union Square, Civic Hall will be a new, 85,000-square-foot learning and training center at the new state-of-the-art Zero Irving building. Civic Hall will facilitate groundbreaking partnerships among high-impact tenants and workforce training partners to work collectively to meet the needs of all New Yorkers, especially those from communities too often left behind. For more information, visit https://civichall.org/ or email Seema Shah, Civic Hall’s Executive Director, at seema@civichall.org.

About The Fedcap Group 
For 87 years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.
 
For media inquiries, please contact:
Susan Walsh, 212-727-4200, (SWalsh@fedcap.org)
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Remember, Reflect, and Participate

Remember, Reflect, and Participate

May 29, 2023

For Memorial Day, I am honored to have guest blogger Col. Duncan S. Milne,
US Marine Corps (Ret.), President of Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services share his reflections on this day. We thank him for his service, and we honor all those who have lost their lives in service to our country.

Remember, Reflect, and Participate

If you’ve served in our nation’s military, you have answered a lot of questions from friends and family members who haven’t shared the experience. One of the questions I’m often asked is how many people I have known who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. If you’ve spent a career spanning several decades, that question can be very daunting. Not daunting because we don’t know, we do, but because the question brings back the reality of the loss and the devastating void that absence leaves in the families of those impacted, and in your heart.

Memorial Day provides us an opportunity to remember and reflect on those individuals and their families and the gravity of the impact they have had on our nation, our families, and our communities.

We often focus on individual loss on Memorial Day by sharing stories, visiting gravesites, and talking with the families in an attempt to cope with the loss. I often think about the loss outside of the immediate family and instead to the community they will never return to.

In many communities, large and small across the nation, this loss is very visible. Even after many generations, some parts of the country have never recovered from our wars. The Civil War decimated the populations of many rural areas on both sides of the conflict. In some parts of the nation, many towns that had great potential have not recovered to this day. Swaths of their population and much of their potential was simply gone.

The same can be said for World Wars One and Two and subsequent conflicts to this day. Our communities are our extended families, and the chasm created by the loss is very hard to overcome.

Memorial Day is the one coalescing event every year that puts that reality front and center. Communities come together to remember and reflect, but also to heal as a larger family and move forward in an effort to reach their collective potential in the face of such loss.

Today, an ever-decreasing percentage of our society bears the burden of guarding our freedoms and put themselves in danger on a real “two-way rifle range”. Every one of them knows they may not leave active service unscathed, yet they are still willing to make that commitment for you and me.

My ask of you this Memorial Day is to see what your community is doing and participate. Participate whether you’ve served or know someone who has. Participate because it is important to the health of your community family. Participate because it sets the tone in your community that sacrifice won’t be ignored but instead it is to be respected and honored.

Remember, Reflect, and Participate.

Colonel Duncan S. Milne
US Marine Corps (Ret.)
President | Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services

Recuerda, reflexiona y participa

29 mayo 2023

Para el Día de Recordación, me siento honrada de tener de invitado al “blogger” Coronel Duncan S. Milne, US Marine Corps (Ret.), Presidente del Centro Dixon de Servicios a Militares y Veteranos, comparte sus reflexiones sobre este día. Le agradecemos por su servicio a su país y honramos a todos aquellos que han perdido la vida al servicio de nuestro país.

Si tú has servido en las fuerzas armadas de nuestra nación, has respondido muchas preguntas de amigos y familiares que no han compartido la experiencia. Una de las preguntas que me hacen a menudo; es a cuántas personas conozco que hayan pagado el máximo sacrificio. Si has pasado una carrera que abarca varias décadas, esa pregunta puede ser muy desalentadora. No desalentadora porque no lo sepamos, lo sabemos; sino porque la pregunta revive la realidad de la pérdida y el vacío devastador que la ausencia deja en las familias de los afectados y en tu corazón.

El Día de Recordación nos brinda la oportunidad de acordarnos y reflexionar sobre esas personas y sus familias y la gravedad del impacto que ha tenido tanto en nuestra nación, como en nuestras familias y nuestras comunidades.

A menudo nos enfocamos en la pérdida individual en el Día de Recordación, compartiendo historias, visitando tumbas y hablando con las familias en un intento de lidiar con la pérdida. A menudo pienso en la pérdida fuera de la familia inmediata en lugar del de la comunidad a la que nunca volverán.

En muchas comunidades, tanto grandes como pequeñas en todo el país, esta pérdida es muy visible. Incluso después de muchas generaciones, algunas partes del país nunca se han recuperado de nuestras guerras. La Guerra Civil diezmó las poblaciones de muchas zonas rurales de ambos lados del conflicto. En algunas partes de la nación, muchas ciudades que tenían un gran potencial no se han recuperado hasta el día de hoy. Sectores de su población y gran parte de su potencial simplemente habían desaparecido.

Lo mismo puede decirse de las Guerras Mundiales Una y Dos y los conflictos posteriores hasta el día de hoy. Nuestras comunidades son como nuestros parientes lejanos, y el abismo creado por la pérdida es muy difícil de superar.

El Día de Recordación es el único evento que se fusiona cada año y que pone de relieve esa realidad. Las comunidades se unen para acordarse y reflexionar, pero también para sanar como parte de una familia más grande y avanzar en un esfuerzo por alcanzar su capacidad colectiva frente a tal pérdida.

Hoy en día, un porcentaje cada vez menor de nuestra sociedad lleva la carga de proteger nuestras libertades y ponerse en peligro en un verdadero “campo de tiro de dos fuegos”. Cada uno de ellos sabe que no puede salir ileso del servicio activo, pero aún así están dispuestos a obligarse a ese compromiso por usted y por mí.

Mi petición para ti en este Día de Recordación, es que veas lo que tu comunidad está haciendo y participar. Participa ya sea que hayas servido o que conozca a alguien que lo haya hecho. Participa porque es importante para la salud de tu familia comunitaria. Participa porque eso sienta las pautas en tu comunidad de que el sacrificio no será ignorado, sino que debe ser respetado y honrado.

Recuerda, reflexiona y participa.

Coronel Duncan S. Milne
US Marine Corps (Ret.)
Presidente | Centro Dixon de Servicios a Militares y Veteranos

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The Fedcap Group Statement on the Proposed Combination with Paul Smith’s College

The Fedcap Group Statement on the Proposed Combination with Paul Smith’s College

New York, May 19 – Statement by Susan Walsh, Spokesperson for The Fedcap Group, on the Proposed Combination with Paul Smith’s College


“The Fedcap Group is deeply committed to the future success of Paul Smith’s College. Its unique programming, campus experience, and importance to the community are unmatched in the region. Like many small private colleges and universities over the last decade, Paul Smith’s has had challenges, but working together and doing the transformative work now, we believe they have a strong path forward.

In 2019, we were introduced to Paul Smith’s College to help them secure that future and leverage our decades of experience working with educational/workforce programs and not-for-profits to help turn things around. With our support, PSC has resolved many of the challenges and issues they were facing, including operational issues, such as the recent cyberattack; leveraging assets and expertise to increase philanthropic giving and expand external grants; and creating new enrollment pipelines from our other education and workforce programs, like a new culinary extension site in New York City. We are confident that our partnership can only make the institution stronger—while protecting the College’s identity and core academic programs, things often lost during a typical merger of two educational institutions. In other words, our combination can mean Paul Smith’s College is here to stay.

Many have asked, ‘what’s in it for Fedcap?’ As a charitable organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to economic well-being for the disadvantaged, the proposed combination advances Fedcap’s important mission because it opens doors to new educational opportunities for the people we serve.

PSC has presented a responsible and thoughtful plan to state regulators and we hope they approve our acquisition as soon as possible so the team at Paul Smith’s can focus on doing what they do best—providing a one-of-a-kind educational and career training experience in the Adirondacks.”

Contact:
Susan Walsh
The Fedcap Group
212-727-4200
swalsh@fedcap.org

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The Fedcap Group Reports First Half Fiscal Year 2023 Financial and Operating Results

The Fedcap Group Reports First Half Fiscal Year 2023 Financial and Operating Results

The Fedcap Group Reports First Half Fiscal Year 2023 Financial and Operating Results

  • Revenue Increase of 6.4% to $186.1 Million Reflected Solid Organic Growth of Domestic and International Programs.
  • Served Nearly 140,000 Individuals in First Half of FY2023—a 50% Year-on-Year Increase.
  • Placed 12,354 Individuals into Jobs—a 15% Increase; Growth Led by Expansion and Integration of Education and Workforce Programs.
  • Received Technical Assistance Grant from the U.S. Treasury Department to Launch a Community Development Financial Institution.

New York, NY—May 11, 2023—The Fedcap Group, the parent company for 23 nonprofit subsidiaries, in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, released its operating and financial results for the first half of fiscal year 2023 that ended March 31, 2023.

First Half FY2023 Program and Operating Results

Commenting on the results, The Fedcap Group’s President and CEO Christine McMahon noted, “This was another period of solid growth and significant accomplishment for The Fedcap Group. We continued to execute effectively on domestic and international contracts, while winning new work, and building out our service offerings to address the substantial opportunities we see on the horizon.

“In the first half of fiscal 2023, we made considerable progress on the key objective of integrating education pathways with our workforce programs, by awarding college credit to individuals who have gained workforce and vocational certifications. During the period we leveraged our partnership with Paul Smith’s College to provide college credits to individuals graduating from our technical and workforce programs in the areas of solar technology, home digital automation, and entrepreneurship. Through the collaboration of our Education and Workforce practices, we train individuals for jobs and careers in areas of high demand that provide a roadmap to economic well-being.

“The Fedcap Group continues to be differentiated by our passion for driving program innovation and implementation above and beyond what our contracts call for. This attribute has underpinned our growth and success to date and provides us with continued opportunities for further progress in the second half of this fiscal year and beyond.”

Operating Results

The Fedcap Group provides a diversified array of services to break down barriers and create pathways to economic well-being. In the first half of the 2023 fiscal year, The Fedcap Group served just under 140,000 individuals, including those screened for state and federal benefits through our Single Stop program—a 50% increase year-over-year. To achieve this mission, The Fedcap Group operates across four key practice areas: Education, Workforce Development, Health, and Economic Development.

Education

The Education Practice continues to expand with programming that spans from early child wellness services all the way through college-level vocational and credit-bearing college education. Currently, 2,230 individuals are enrolled in our education programs across the country. Key first half FY2023 highlights were:

  • Establishment of the Apex Clean Energy Institute, piloting a solar technician program, which led to more than 50% of our graduates receiving an average wage of more than $50,000 annually.
  • Launching the Paul Smith’s College culinary certificate program in New York City and connecting it to a Summer in Saranac residency at the college.

Workforce Development

The Workforce Practice continues to demonstrate strong growth and positive outcomes. In the first half of FY2023 we placed 12,354 individuals into jobs—an increase of 15% from the first half of FY2022, and maintained our above-average job retention results, with over 80% of those placed being retained for 180-days or more.

In addition, we launched FedcapVR Technologies—an end-to-end solutions provider to create fully immersive virtual reality simulations that will be fully integrated into our education and workforce programs, including solar and wind energy, construction, urban forestry, and welding.

Health

The Fedcap Group’s Health Practice continues to grow on the strength of our Single Stop case management and benefits program. During the first half of FY2023, 24,700 individuals were screened for federal and state benefits, and households on average received $21,000 in benefits.

In addition, The Fedcap Group continues to show strong results in health and wellness during the first half of FY2023 including:

  • Providing 15,415 people wellness services in health and behavioral health treatment–enabling individuals to stabilize and obtain and retain employment.
  • Assisting 5,000 veterans and their families to access an array of wellness, educational, and employment services from the Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services and other companies of The Fedcap Group.

Economic Development

In the first half of FY2023, 1,060 individuals were directly employed by a company of The Fedcap Group. Ninety-five new jobs were added in Total Facilities Management–our largest commercial enterprise. The average salary is $42,550 annually—more than 30% higher than an annual salary at a $15 minimum wage. In addition, the retirement assets of Fedcap’s direct client service workers have greatly increased from $8.4 million in 2010 to $111.2 million in 2022—demonstrating our commitment not only to sustainable wages, but also to wealth.

International Operations

Our international footprint continues to rapidly expand in Canada and the United Kingdom.
In Canada, we launched new employment services in Niagara Falls during the first half of FY2023. In the Hamilton-Niagara region we have exceeded job entry performance (100%+) deliverables while outpacing other performance targets—consistently meeting or exceeding contractual requirements.

Our UK-based Fedcap Employment is providing leading job training and placement for people displaced from the Ukraine in Scotland. To date, we have worked with 433 people and already 160 have been supported into work.

Fedcap Scotland is expanding health programs—recently being awarded funding through the Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership for our new pilot program “Healthy Minds, Inspiring People.” This eight-week program will support 40 young people who have learning disabilities and difficulties with their mental health through building confidence, resilience, and empowering self-efficacy. Fedcap UK will also launch the United States Clubhouse model in the United Kingdom—a program designed to offer services to those people with mental health conditions, building confidence and self-efficacy.

First Half FY 2023 Financial Results

In the first half of FY2023, revenues increased 6.4%, to $186.1 million. Revenue growth reflected organic domestic and international program growth, with domestic work representing 71% of the total first half FY2023 revenue and international accounting for 29%. The Fedcap Group continues to achieve strong contract renewal rates of over 90% and has a robust business development pipeline.

At March 31, 2023, The Fedcap Group had $47.4 million in cash and investments, $255 million in total assets, and $157.1 million in long-term debt. Net assets were $50.7 million, an increase of 12.4% from first half FY2022 levels.

Outlook

“Our first half results have put us on track to serve a significantly expanded population and achieve considerable revenue growth for first half FY2023.

“We are pleased to note that The Fedcap Group received a technical assistance grant from the U.S. Treasury Department to launch a Community Development Financial Institution focused on building wealth for individuals through private sector growth and homeownership. When fully operational, the CDFI will primarily offer equity or capital investments to help people build equity through a business or through home ownership as well as technical assistance.

“The Fedcap Group’s strong operating and financial position has enabled us to greatly expand the number of individuals we serve. Over the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year, we will continue the integration and expansion of our education and workforce development platforms, while executing on our existing contracts and moving ahead with our launch of the CDFI. Capturing these growth opportunities will enable us to further our mission to achieve economic well-being for disadvantaged communities,” Ms. McMahon concluded.

About The Fedcap Group

For nearly ninety years, The Fedcap Group has developed scalable, innovative, and potentially disruptive solutions to some of society’s most pressing needs. Serving 340,000 people this past fiscal year, The Fedcap Group provides educational services to every age group, vocational training and job attainment in high-growth industries, as well as support services such as behavioral health services—all targeted to helping people achieve long-term self-sufficiency. The Fedcap Group also invests its time and resources in broader system change—working in partnership with federal, state, and local government to improve the way services are designed, funded, and delivered.

Conference Call Details

Date: Thursday, May 11, 2023, 11:00 a.m. ET
Phone: 1 (844) 792-3735
Link to Webcast: fedcapgroup.org/results2023

Contact

Susan Walsh, 212-727-4200, (SWalsh@fedcap.org) 

Financials

The Fedcap Group Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

The Fedcap Group Consolidated Statement of Activities

View the Presentation
Read the Transcript

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