ARIZONA@WORK Coconino County Jobs and Community Resources Event

The Jobs and Community Resources Event, hosted by ARIZONA@WORK Coconino County, took place on June 24th at the DES parking lot. The event attracted 58 registered participants from the community who were seeking employment opportunities, job training, and support services to help them reenter the workforce or improve their current employment situations.

"A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sandra, Luke, Cori, Jennifer, and Linda for their dedication, creativity, and hard work in making the event a success."Coconino County One-Stop Operator Heather Bachicha shared, “From planning to execution, every detail reflected the strength of cross-team collaboration, mutual support, and our shared commitment to serving the community. This event truly showcased how impactful we can be when we come together with purpose.”

Juneteenth Second Chance Hiring Event

In honor of Juneteenth, ARIZONA@WORK hosted a Second Chance Hiring Event at the Murdoch Community Center. With strong support from local employers and community resource partners, the event was a great success, providing meaningful opportunities for individuals reentering the workforce.

Participants had access to valuable resources to help them build credit, obtain birth certificates, and even receive free drug testing to meet employer requirements in certain industries. Several great employers were on-site, offering both full-time and part-time positions that can truly grow into a career for someone ready to take the next step.

Congratulations to the 2025 Adult Education Graduates at Coconino Community College

This milestone is a powerful reflection of each graduate’s dedication to growth, persistence, and lifelong learning. The ceremony also honored students inducted into the National Adult Education Honor Society, as well as those in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program.

Sandra Darling, Title 1B Program Manager, had the honor of delivering the keynote address. Drawing from her own journey as a former GED student, Sandra shared an inspiring message of perseverance, unconventional paths, and personal growth. From earning her GED and becoming a licensed journeyman to completing both a bachelor’s and master’s degree—and even incorporating experiences like consensus-based roller derby business development—her story served as an uplifting reminder of the power of resilience and opportunity.

The heartfelt words shared by the graduates and a thoughtful gift from Coconino Community College made the day especially meaningful. Congratulations again to all the graduates!

Launch or Grow Your Business with DreamBuilder Summer 2025 Cohort

Looking to start or expand your business? Don’t miss this FREE opportunity through the DreamBuilder program, hosted by America’s SBDC Arizona in partnership with Coconino Community College and the Arizona Commerce Authority.

What You’ll Gain:

• A Certificate of Completion
• Your own business plan
• Essential business skills
• A celebratory graduation event
• Opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs

Program Schedule:

📅 Wednesdays, July 9 – August 27

🕤 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM

📍 Hybrid Format:

• Online via Zoom (link provided upon registration)
• In-person at the Page Center Boardroom, 475 S. Lake Powell Blvd.

What a month it's been! We launched the first cohort of our Youth Explo program (a new name and outreach materials tailored to our target audience are on the way). Seven youth were placed with local employers, including Little America, Forestdale Farms, Tynkertopia, and the Coconino County Criminal Justice Council and Communications Departments.

Before placement, participants completed a week of training that included onboarding and sessions from our partners at Goodwill, the Economic Policy Institute, and Bruce Sobczak of Sobo & Associates. We even included a shopping trip to help the youth prepare for their new roles!

If you’d like to learn more about the program, feel free to reach out to Sandra Darling.