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REDUCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT & ADVANCEMENT

For many, finding a job is not the problem. The challenge is finding jobs that pay a wage that allows them to have a stable career.

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement

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Our Goal: 15,000 people will be ready to start stable careers having overcome key employment barriers by 2029.

Why It’s Important

Reducing employment barriers isn’t just about finding jobs. It’s about creating a more equitable, resilient community where everyone can thrive.

When we, as a community, focus on Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement, we address:

Individual well-being. Having a good job provides financial stability, improves mental health, and enhances quality of life.
Long-term impact. Collectively, we are addressing employment disparities, ensuring all community members have opportunities to succeed.
Economic growth. A fully employed population contributes to increased consumer spending, higher tax revenues, and overall economic vitality.

Through Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement, we focus on the root causes of barriers to employment. These are the barriers that are preventing people from getting a good job and supporting their families.

New and increased gifts to Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement are doubled by ManpowerGroup from 7/1/25 to 6/30/26 up to $200,000.

What We’re Doing Together

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement is guided by these strategies:

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Education, training, & credentials. Supporting organizations that help adults learn to read, earn their GED/HSED, or other employment credentials that lead to a high-demand certification.

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Transportation. Supporting organizations that provide innovative transportation solutions or assist with driver’s license recovery.

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Involvement in the justice system. Supporting programs with a focus on strengthening justiceimpacted- individuals in the workplace and advocating for policy changes that help these members of our community.

How We’re Changing Lives

In 2023-24, United Way provided funding to 16 organizations focused on:

Supporting people with disabilities.
Empowering justice-impacted individuals.
Addressing the need for skilled healthcare professionals.
Moving members from “low-skill” positions to “mid-skill” positions that require more than a high school diploma, but less than a four-year degree.
Offering opportunities to participate in English language learning, adult education, and GED preparation.
Providing transportation to help someone get to wellpaying jobs.

Our community saw the following results in 2023-24:

Over 45 industry-recognized credentials were obtained, including high school equivalency diplomas, IT services, and construction certifications.
Over 75 nonviolent arrest records were expunged, in addition to seven pardons.
Over 120 driver’s licenses were recovered.
Over 540 individuals gained employment after being part of a Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancementfunded program.

What We Fund

View a full listing of the 2025-26 Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement grantees.

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Success Stories

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement: Domaniquia & Next Door

Domaniquia knew a change was needed. Through the United Way-funded Pathways Program at Next Door, Domaniquia was able to pursue her new career in early childhood education without hesitation or barriers.

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement: FlexRide Milwaukee

FlexRide Milwaukee, operated by MobiliSE, is an on-demand program that helps individuals who are facing transportation insecurity commute to and from work.