Friday’s 50th Anniversary Gala in Cleveland will showcase Towards Employment’s five-decade impact with alumni stories, tribute films and three inaugural Ripple Effect Awards.
More than 216,000 Northeast Ohio residents have been served since 1976, and the nonprofit now supports over 2,000 adults a year with job training, coaching, employer links and wraparound services.
Three leaders spanning the organization’s history—founder Soad Mansour, former executive director Walter Ginn and outgoing CEO Jill Rizika—will be honored as Tania Menesse prepares to take over.
The anniversary comes as TE argues employment alone is not enough, pointing to barriers such as childcare, housing and transportation and to changing skill demands driven by technology and AI.
With gala tickets sold out, the group has reached 75% of its $400,000 fundraising goal as it pushes into a next chapter focused on career advancement and economic mobility.
As Towards Employment changes CEOs and raises $400,000, can its wraparound workforce model keep pace with technology, employer demand, and worker needs?
After 50 years and 216,000 people served, what has Towards Employment discovered really helps adults not just get jobs, but keep moving up?