Thursday, June 20, 2013

Walmart and Dress for Success Worldwide Are “Paving the Way Forward” for the Disadvantaged Women of the United States

NEW YORK, NY (June 18, 2013):  New grants from Walmart and the Walmart Foundation are “Paving the Way Forward” for Dress for Success Worldwide to help the organization better assist women across the United States along their path to self-sufficiency and economic independence. The $500,000 in grants will be distributed among 15 Dress for Success affiliates to either establish or enhance their Career Centers, the dedicated workspaces located at the primary suiting location where Dress for Success clients receive career guidance. This new initiative was announced today in a special ceremony at the Walmart Northwest Arkansas LPGA Championship.

Dress for Success is popularly known for providing professional attire to women-in-need for job interviews, but the organization addresses every phase of a woman’s career—from being unemployed and searching, to recently employed and adjusting, to gainfully employed and succeeding.  It is the career development and employment retention programs and services that are the cornerstone of Dress for Success, which each woman experiences in the Career Center the very first day she walks through the doors of the nonprofit.

These grants to Dress for Success support the goals of Walmart’s and the Walmart Foundation’s Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative, one of which is to help 200,000 U.S. women from low-income households gain access to job training, education, career counseling, and mentoring to increase their employment opportunities. More information on this initiative can be found at corporate.walmart.com/women.

Paving the Way Forward will increase efficiencies within, and develop the long-term sustainability of, the Career Center services through a three-pronged approach:

Acquire, Improve, Update. This capacity-building program will enable Dress for Success affiliates to make any necessary improvements to their Career Centers, such as acquiring the appropriate tools and physical resources to ensure that its Career Center is running at optimum ability, such as computers, printers and software-or even designating a physical space for those affiliates who are in the process of establishing a Career Center.
Increase Womanpower Hours. Affiliates will be able to increase the hours of current part-time staff members or to engage the services of a consultant. This will help to provide a structured learning environment for Dress for Success clients hoping to conduct self-directed job searches; receive one-on-one support drafting résumés and cover letters; practice interview skills; and access online professional skills training courses. With this additional staffing, the Career Center will be able to implement two workshops selected from the Going Places Network by Walmart curriculum.
Leadership Lessons. Paving the Way Forward will support new affiliates attending our annual Affiliate Leadership Conference.  The lessons learned during this three day workshop retreat will assist the leaders to more effectively and efficiently serve the women of their respective communities.
This $500,000 in new grants comes on the heels of a $2.5 million award that the Walmart Foundation given to Dress for Success earlier this year in support the organization’s “Going Places Network by Walmart” (GPN).  The GPN funding supports six 12-week sessions of the program over the next two years at 60 Dress for Success affiliates.  This specially-designed program helps unemployed and underemployed Dress for Success clients gain professional skills, accelerate their job searches and build confidence through weekly training sessions, one-on-one career coaching and networking in a supportive environment.  The GPN launched in 2011 as a result of an initial $2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. To date, 4,500 women have completed the GPN nationally, with about 41 percent of the women securing employment upon completion of the 12-week program.

“Our suiting program helps every Dress for Success woman look the part for job interview, but our Career Centers help her become the part,” said Joi Gordon, CEO of Dress for Success Worldwide.  “With the support of the Walmart Foundation, ‘Paving the Way Forward’ will allow us to assist even more women become confident professionals.”

“The Walmart Foundation is pleased to expand our support of Career Centers at Dress for Success,” said Crosby Cromwell, Senior Manager, Walmart Foundation. “These centers help women build the confidence to succeed in their careers and in life, which is at the cornerstone of Walmart’s efforts in Women’s Economic Empowerment.”

In addition to Paving the Way Forward and the GPN, Walmart has a longstanding history with Dress for Success Worldwide.  The retailer has supported Dress for Success Worldwide with in-kind donations of clothing, volunteer projects and event sponsorships. In response to the organization’s need for plus-size clothing, Walmart manufactured and donated thousands of plus-size suits under the George label for Dress for Success. The company has also supported the Success Summit, the leadership conference for Dress for Success clients who are members of the organization’s Professional Women’s Group. Fifty of Walmart’s senior female executives have also worked with Dress for Success clients participating in the Success Summit for eight months of one-on-one coaching as part of the Leader to LeadHER program. 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

American Red Cross and Walmart Offer Nurse Assistant Training



The American Red Cross will help 2,500 students receive training for entry-level healthcare careers through the Red Cross Nurse Assistant Training (NAT) program thanks to a $3.5 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. The program equips students and helps give them a career pathway into the fast-growing industry, while also helping communities alleviate a shortage of adequately trained Certified Nurse Assistants (CNAs).  
The $3.5 million grant for the training, which primarily will help women below the poverty line, is the first credential-specific training grant Walmart has awarded as part of their Global Women's Economic Empowerment Initiative.
“Walmart is making it possible for so many who have the desire and aptitude to work in the healthcare field to get a solid foundation and a head start through our Nurse Assistant Training,” said Joseph Alfonso, Senior National Director, Nurse Assistant Training Operations, American Red Cross.  “As many as 10 times the number of annual graduates from our program would like to take the course but cannot afford to do so.”

The Red Cross training program supports the goals of Walmart’s Global Women’s Economic Empowerment Initiative, one of which is to help 200,000 U.S. women from low-income households access job training, education, career counseling, and mentoring to increase their employment opportunities.




Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Walmart Launches Veterans Commitment and Plans.


At May 27, 2013 - Walmart launched the Veterans Welcome Home Commitment to offer a job to any honorably discharged veteran within his or her first 12 months off active duty, and projects to hire more than 100,000 veterans over the next five years.
 “Hiring a veteran can be one of the best business decisions you make,” said Bill Simon, Walmart U.S. president and CEO and US Navy Veteran. “We believe Walmart is already the largest private employer of veterans in the country, and we want to hire more.” 

“Veterans have a record of performance under pressure. They’re quick learners and team players and are leaders with discipline, training and a passion for service,” Simon continued. “I can think of no better group to lead in revitalizing our economy than those who have served in uniform. Through their service, veterans give us a land of freedom. When they return, it must be to a land of possibility.”

In April, Walmart participated in the Joining Forces Employment Announcement at the White House, and challenged companies to hire 100,000 veterans and their spouses by the end of 2013. To move this effort forward, Simon wrote to 50 CEOs in the U.S. to urge them to make hiring commitments of their own.

“Every company in America has benefited from the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform,” said Simon. “The biggest issue facing our veterans today is jobs. Sadly, too many of those who fought for us abroad now find themselves fighting for jobs at home.”

The company’s focus on supporting veterans extends beyond its hiring initiative. The Walmart Foundation has committed $20 million through 2015 to helping veterans and their families transition from the military into the civilian workforce through programs that provide job training, transition support and education.