Way Finders Receives $10,000 Grant for Employment Readiness Program

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Way Finders, Inc., a nonprofit community development corporation, has received a $10,000 grant from KeyBank Foundation to support its Ready to Work: My Story, My Goals program. The initiative aims to provide employment readiness resources to unemployed and underemployed residents in Hampden County.

The funding will enable Way Finders to offer a six-week employment readiness course, combining in-class instruction and one-on-one support for up to 15 low- to moderate-income residents with limited or no documented work experience. The program focuses on helping participants overcome barriers such as lack of valid identification, resumes, interview attire, and digital literacy skills.

“Taking the first step on the journey to employment can be intimidating, especially if you are missing important things like a valid ID, a resume, interview clothes, or the ability to access and use the internet,” said Bea Dewberry, Director of Community Building and Engagement at Way Finders. “This KeyBank funding allows us to work hand-in-hand with Holyoke and Springfield residents, helping them ready themselves for employment, and ultimately securing a more stable future for themselves and their families.”

Participants in the program reflect the diversity of Holyoke and Springfield, where 35% to 80% of residents identify as people of color and/or Latino/Latina. By the end of the program, each participant will have a resume and cover letter, improved digital literacy skills, and a better understanding of how to conduct a job search and utilize local resources for ongoing employment support.

One recent program participant, who successfully re-entered the workforce, shared, “It’s OK to put your guard down. It’s OK to ask for help. At Way Finders, I feel like my voice was heard, and I’m really grateful.”

Matthew Hummel, KeyBank Market President and Regional Commercial Banking Executive for Connecticut and Massachusetts, emphasized the alignment between the program and KeyBank’s mission. “KeyBank is proud to support Way Finder’s Ready to Work program, as it aligns with our commitment to helping individuals achieve financial stability and independence,” he said. “By investing in workforce development, we aim to empower local residents with the skills and resources needed to sustain employment, obtain affordable housing, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.”

The grant is part of KeyBank Foundation’s $40 billion commitment, established in 2017, to support affordable housing, community development, and workforce initiatives across its national footprint. Way Finders, headquartered in Springfield, is the largest nonprofit housing developer in western Massachusetts, having created over 1,200 units of affordable housing in Hampden and Hampshire Counties.