Get Involved

We have committees working in three areas to increase the number of people in our region who are looking to join the workforce. 

Business Investment: many of our local employers are investing in being great places to work. We’re working with them to support those efforts and find new strategies for continuous improvement!  Join one of our upcoming meetings to learn more!

Tuesday, March 20, at 1 pm Lincoln Trail Area Development District, 613 College Street Road, Elizabethtown
This meeting will focus on current efforts to expand affordable, available childcare especially for people working late shifts. Business owners and managers are invited to come and learn about what’s going on, and how to participate. We will also introduce Way To Work, a free program that businesses can join to get access to a vetted and prepared pool of potential workers.

Wednesday, March 21, at 12 pm CT Grayson County location to be announced
This meeting will focus on introducing local businesses to the work of the Crisis Task Force, and to Circles, a new effort underway to support residents in their pathway from poverty to family sustainability. Businesses can bring their workforce concerns, and help generate new ideas to support more robust labor force participation across Grayson County.

Thursday, March 22, at 8 am Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, Springfield Campus
Business owners and managers are invited to learn more about the Workforce Crisis Task Force and to get involved in generating new solutions, as well as to learn about Way to Work, a program which connects potential workers to hiring businesses, free of charge.

Unlocking Local Potential: our Task Force members are working with residents to identify what they want and need in the area to put down roots, build lifelong careers and thrive in Lincoln Trail! Our current focus is on expanding the number of Workplace Based Learning Opportunities (internships, apprenticeships, etc.).  Did you know that engaging young people in workplace based learning opportunities is one of the best ways to build your future workforce?  Want to learn more? Email info@strategymatters.org.

Paving Pathways & Removing Obstacles:  this group is finding ways to help reduce the barriers to workforce participation - like the “cliff effect.” The cliff effect occurs when public benefits (safety nets) are removed faster than workers can replace them with earnings - causing actual disincentives to work!  This is how that happens (graphic from The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Women’s Fund, see the full report here.

If you’re an educator, civic or faith leader or anyone working with many people in the region, we need your help in finding new ways to connect potential workers with jobs, and in helping catalyze solutions to the many barriers that prevent people from working today.  Contact us at info@strategymatters.org to talk further.