Senator Bob Casey Visits the Skills Initiative to Discuss American Rescue Plan Funding
On Friday, August 2nd, 2024, United States Senator Bob Casey joined representatives from Philadelphia Works, Inc., the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), the Philadelphia Energy Authority (PEA), and the Philadelphia Area Labor-Management Committee (PALM) to share updates on the state of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) investment in the Southeast region. Announced in 2022, […]
Graduate Spotlight: Lois from Penn Dental
Lois Napper was laid off in 2016 after seven years at the Center for Responsible Funding. She had recently earned her associate’s degree in human services and had two young children, so she was determined to make her next step more than just a job—she was looking for an opportunity to meaningfully provide for her […]
Graduate Spotlight: Laura from CHOP
Laura Bien-Aime is on a mission. Only three years after graduating high school, Laura founded Laura’s Children Foundation to teach children simple strategies to lead healthier lives. Having primarily worked as a teacher’s assistant, she saw a West Philadelphia Skills Initiative flyer about training and job opportunities to join the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) […]
Graduate Spotlight: Felicia from Allied Universal
When Felicia Tucker completed a 2018 Allied Universal program, she didn’t know that the Skills Initiative would continue to play a role in her life. “I didn’t realize that once we were done with the program that we’d still be in touch as much as we’ve been,” she shared. She loved receiving alumni newsletters and […]
The Skills Initiative is now hiring a Recruitment Coordinator and a Career Specialist
The Skills Initiative is now hiring a Recruitment Coordinator and a Career Specialist: Recruitment Coordinator University City District (UCD) is a non-profit, special services district that leverages a unique partnership of universities, health systems, large and small businesses, and community groups to invest in public spaces, address public maintenance and public safety issues, bring life […]
Announcing the Fourth Class of WPSI Scholars
The West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI) is pleased to name the fourth annual class of WPSI Scholars. The twenty-five selected Skills Initiative alumni will each receive funding in varying amounts from $2,500-$5,000 for tuition and associated fees, totaling $97,500. To date, this is the largest total amount awarded to a single cohort of Scholars. This […]
Graduate Spotlight: Antoinette from Penn Medicine
In October 2020 Antoinette Moore, like many others, was without a job during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I was doing prenatal health, working in the community. Then a bunch of us were let go, and I was doing odds and end jobs but nothing was really sticking. At that time I was really unemployed, and no […]
New collective brings Philly’s booming life sciences industry under one umbrella
Originally published by Technical.ly The Keystone LifeSci Collaborative is considered the first regional sector partnership of its kind, according to organizers. Words by: Sarah Huffman • Edited by: Danya Henninger As the life sciences industry in Philadelphia continues to build momentum, stakeholders now have a single hub to come together and discuss sector challenges. The Keystone […]
This Philly nonprofit received $4 million from Amazon shareholder MacKenzie Scott
Originally published by The Philadelphia Inquirer Cait Garozzo was hopeful when she received an email to schedule a call with someone working on behalf of private philanthropists. Garozzo, executive director of the nonprofit West Philadelphia Skills Initiative (WPSI), had a meeting with members from a nonprofit consulting group in December to discuss funding. Two […]
New life sciences initiative targets local industry growth, talent pipeline acceleration
Originally published by The Philadelphia Business Journal A new local initiative launched this week with $3.4 million in funding and a goal of growing Philadelphia’s life sciences industry and strengthening its talent pipeline. The Keystone LifeSci Collaborative was established by a group of local life sciences leaders and community partners to serve as a […]
Philanthropist MacKenzie Scott Gifts $4 Million to the West Philadelphia Skills Initiative to Accelerate and Sustain Program’s Impact
Today, we at the Skills Initiative are thrilled to share that University City District has received a $4 million donation from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott through her charitable organization Yield Giving to benefit the work of WPSI. The unrestricted gift will accelerate our goals of providing opportunities for job seekers, program alumni, and incumbent workers to […]
Industry Leaders Launch Keystone LifeSci Collaborative, a New Partnership to Support Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Life Science Sector
First sector partnership of its kind convenes life sciences companies from across six counties at inaugural event.