WWP September 30, 2026 | e-News

Stronger Connections, Stronger Workforce: Marion County Partners Come Together

WorkSource Oregon in Salem and Willamette Workforce Partnership recently brought Marion County workforce and community partners together for a Partner Resource Fair designed to strengthen connections and improve how we serve our community. The event gave partners an opportunity to share their services, the populations they serve, eligibility requirements and referral information before opening the room for networking and one-on-one conversations.

The turnout and engagement exceeded expectations. Partners valued hearing directly from one another before visiting resource tables, allowing them to identify new connections and referral opportunities in real time. The event created space for people to connect naturally, learn more about one another’s work and better understand the resources available across Marion County, strengthening relationships that can help connect people with the right support. Partner feedback showed strong interest in more opportunities like this, including holding the fair at least twice a year, providing a larger space for networking and participation, and potentially expanding a future event to give community members an opportunity to connect directly with local services and resources.

Shane Olson is ready to greet partners at his table!

Participating partners were:

· Salem Free Clinics

· Interface Networks - (Empowerment and Leadership for Youth) ELY Program

· Job Connection Goodwill Industries

· Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action (MWVCAA) Reentry Services

· Easterseals Oregon

· Community Services Consortium (CSC)

· Chemeketa Community College – Occupational Skills Training

· Oregon Commission for the Blind (OCB)

· Mid-Willamette Valley Community Action (MWVCAA) - HOME Youth Services

· Cherriots

· Trellis LLC

· Confederated Tribes of Siletz

· Oregon Department of Human Services, Self Sufficiency Programs, District 3

· D P Redding

· WorkSource Oregon - Oregon Employment Department

undefined




A special thank you to our hosts at the WorkSource Oregon Salem Center for welcoming partners and providing the space for this event. We are also grateful to our region’s One-Stop Systems Operator, Hightower Workforce Initiatives, and to Lori Strumpf and Andy Hightower for their thoughtful planning, coordination and implementation of the Partner Resource Fair. Their work helped create a welcoming environment where partners could connect, learn from one another and strengthen relationships across our workforce system.

As September and Workforce Development Month ends, the event was a fitting reminder that a strong workforce system is built through relationships. When organizations know one another, understand the resources available and strengthen referral pathways, our entire community benefits. WWP is proud to help convene partners and create the connections that contribute to a stronger, more responsive workforce system across the Mid-Willamette Valley.

 

In Case You Missed It...

WWP Has Moved!

We are still located in the Chemeketa Center for Business and Industry,

just one floor down!


Come visit our new space at: 626 High St. NE #200

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn