January 2025

Save the Date: May 6, 2025 Dress for Success EmpowerHER Celebration

We’re thrilled to announce that Dress for Success Mid-Fairfield County’s annual fundraiser is set for Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at Boca Oyster Bar in Bridgeport! This year’s theme, EmpowerHER: A Celebration, promises an evening filled with inspiration, connection, and community impact.

Join us as we celebrate the strength and resilience of the incredible women we serve, highlight their successes, and raise critical funds to continue our mission of empowering women to achieve economic independence.

More details, including ticket information, will be shared soon. For now, mark your calendars and get ready for a truly special event.

Stay informed! Click the button below to sign up for email updates on event details.

Training the Next Generation of Utility Workers in Connecticut

The WorkPlace, United Illuminating, and CT State Community College – Housatonic partnered to launch the Introduction to Overhead Line Work Program. Over three weeks, 17 participants completed hands-on training in electric line construction, safety, pole climbing, and live line work. Following hands-on training, participants completed a 21-hour Soft Skills Bootcamp which included resume preparation, LinkedIn optimization and mock interviews with industry professionals. With the class now complete, participants are interviewing and taking their first steps toward rewarding careers in the utility industry.

This program is building a stronger Connecticut utility workforce and preparing skilled workers to support the state’s clean energy future. Watch the video below to see their journey in action and then click the button to learn more about EnergyWorks program. 

Struggling to pay your mortgage? The Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program Can Help

Facing foreclosure can be a challenging and stressful experience, but Connecticut homeowners have access to support through the Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program (MCJTP).

Eligible Connecticut residents may receive up to one month's mortgage payment or other financial assistance to ease the immediate burden. Since 2008, the program has offered no-cost, personalized support to homeowners facing financial difficulties.

MCJTP offers services to help participants achieve long-term stability. These include financial counseling, job search assistance, and access to training programs in industries such as IT, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and small business development. These resources are designed to help individuals build new skills and enhance their career prospects.

The program is fully virtual and tailored to meet the unique needs of each participant. If you are a Connecticut resident behind on your mortgage payment, click the button below and fill out the contact form below to connect with a Workforce Specialist. 

Boost Your Career with RemoteWorks

While headlines may suggest a full return to the office, the reality is that many employers are continuing to embrace remote and hybrid work. These flexible arrangements offer employees flexibility with their work but comes with unique challenges. 

The WorkPlace is proud to offer RemoteWorks, a no-cost 4-week virtual training program designed to prepare individuals for success in remote work. Participants develop essential remote work skills, earn Telework Certificate through Sacred Heart University and gain access to online resources like LinkedIn learning to enhance professional edge. With classes running on a monthly, rolling basis now is the perfect time to adapt and position yourself for success in the remote work era.

Click the button below to learn more. 

Explore Careers with Virtual Reality

Not sure where to begin your career journey? Virtual Reality can help! Try out different jobs and industries in a hands-on, immersive way—all without stepping into a workplace.

Join The WorkPlace every Thursday at the American Job Center in Bridgeport for VR career exploration sessions. Whether you’re interested in healthcare, construction, technology, or something else, these events offer a chance to explore your options in a low-pressure setting.

What You’ll Gain

• Career Insights: Gain a better understanding of what different jobs involve.
• Hands-On Exploration: Try out various careers through immersive VR experiences—no experience required!
• Opportunities for Everyone: Designed for all job seekers, regardless of your background or experience level.

Start exploring your future today—your next career could be just a session away! Contact Tim DeMarco for more information.

Success Stories

MaturityWorks

Debra Glazier felt stuck in her job search before enrolling in the MaturityWorks program in June 2023. Despite actively applying for remote data entry jobs, she struggled to get interviews or job offers. After assessing Debra's skills and experience, her MaturityWorks career counselor helped her identify key areas needing improvement such as updating her resume to better showcase her capabilities and enhancing her data entry skills through additional training.

Debra was placed in training at U.R. Community Cares as a data entry specialist where she gained valuable on-the-job experience. She also enrolled in an online Medical Billing and Coding class. Debra gained new data entry skills and learned new methods and techniques, increasing her skills significantly in just a few months.

Recently, Debra secured a full-time remote Data Entry Specialist role at Amalgamated Benefits Company. Debra reflected on her experiences saying, "I will always be grateful for the opportunity MaturityWorks gave me. The remote training and continued support from Mr. Henderson enabled me to make myself more marketable and find the fulfilling job I was seeking."

Health CareeRx Academy Info Session

Every Tuesday at 10 am and Thursday at 2 pm

Learn about healthcare career pathways.

Register Here

Community Health Worker Info Session

Wednesdays at 11 am

Learn about community health worker training opportunities.

Register Here

P2E Re-Entry Kick Off

Friday February 14, 2025, at 11:00am

For more information, click here.

Board of Directors Meeting

Friday March 21, 2025, from 8:15am - 9:30am

For more information, contact Tiffany Johnson.

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What Our Clients Have To Say

The staff was very polite and encouraging. I feel confident in how I will show up for my first day of work. Thank you, I was not sure how I was going to prepare for work!

Dayelle H.

Dress for Success Suiting Client

We're Hiring!

The WorkPlace is an organization of ideas, actions, resources, and initiatives - all designed to strengthen the workforce. We offer positions available from entry level to management positions and have excellent benefits and retirement options.

You can make a very real impact on the lives of others with a donation to The WorkPlace. Your contribution promotes equitable access to services and helps provide unemployed people with training to obtain the skills they require to secure employment, increase earnings, and better support families. The WorkPlace is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.