Goodwill Announces Launch of Workforce Committee Meeting

Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of its first Assembly for Workforce Solutions Steering Committee meeting, an initiative born from the findings of a regional Community Needs Assessment conducted in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber.

The Steering Committee brings together cross-sector partners committed to working collaboratively to address critical barriers to workforce participation in the Mahoning Valley, including access to reliable transportation, behavioral health services, and affordable childcare. These challenges, identified through extensive community input and data analysis, impact not only individuals seeking employment, but the overall vitality and well-being of our region, too. 

“It’s rare to gather 20 people in a room and find each one shares motivation and inspiration to truly make our Valley a better place to live, work and play, but that’s exactly what happened at the first steering committee meeting. After sitting down with these community and business leaders, I am even more optimistic that we will successfully find solutions to our local workforce needs,” said Brenda Linert, Director of Community Impact at the chamber. 

In response to the assessment’s findings, Goodwill also created a new leadership position — Community Solutions Director — which has been filled by Carol Holmes-Chambers and is a role dedicated to facilitating and advancing the strategies generated by the Steering Committee. 

“Our goal goes beyond improving workforce numbers,” Holmes-Chambers said. “At its center, this work is about building a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Yes, we want to increase the workforce participation rate in our Valley, but workforce participation is also part of a larger vision of dignity, security, health, and opportunity.”

The Steering Committee will meet regularly to develop strategies, foster partnerships, and advance initiatives that create more accessible and supportive environments for individuals navigating the workforce. Goodwill is proud to partner with the Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley, which is providing vital support as the subcommittee develops and implements its strategic vision to drive meaningful, community-centered change. Goodwill is also grateful to the Youngstown Foundation, whose funding will also help support the Assembly’s ongoing activities and initiatives. 

This initiative reflects the belief that when communities work together to remove systemic barriers, the result is not just stronger economies, but healthier, more resilient communities where everyone has the opportunity to participate and prosper.