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REDUCING BARRIERS TO EMPLOYMENT & ADVANCEMENT

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

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement

The challenges are real: educational attainment, the digital divide, lack of access to reliable transportation, criminal records. These are the systemic barriers people face when seeking sustainable employment.

For those individuals who do have jobs, many of them pay at a rate far below what they need to support themselves or their family.

Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement is anchored in the belief that all adults of working age should have the opportunity to start stable careers.

We all know what it means to have a good job. It allows you the opportunity to support and provide for your family.

And there is nothing more dignified than that.

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.

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

The Facts

In 2023, Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement funded programs reported the following:

3,700+

people participated in programming.

26,000+

rides were provided for people to get to or from employment.

420+

people received industry recognized credentials to further their careers

160+

arrest records were expunged for nonviolent crimes, and over 100 driver’s licenses were recovered.

What We Fund

View full listing of program investments in Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement.

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The Strategy

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

Education, Training, & Credentials
Supporting programs that help adults obtain their GED, learn a new skill or trade, or earn a high need certification.

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

Involvement in the Justice System
Supporting programs with a focus on strengthening justice impacted individuals in the workplace and/or advocating for policy change that assists individuals who have been impacted by the justice system.

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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.