CLICK HERE TO VIEW SUCCESS STORIES FEATURED AT EVENT
The Board of CareerSource Gulf Coast gathered to mark 26 years of service by the local organization at its annual luncheon, with more than 90 attendees, including Board members; Commissioners from Bay, Gulf, and Franklin Counties; State of Florida legislators and officials; key service providers; Program participants; and workforce staff throughout the region.
CareerSource Gulf Coast is one of 24 regional workforce boards in the State of Florida with offices in Bay, Gulf and Franklin Counties. Today, representatives from all three counties were on the campus of Gulf Coast State College to celebrate achievements and plan for the future, adopting Executive Board appointments.
It was a strong year for the local workforce board considering the continued recovery from Hurricane Michael and a pandemic, and Executive Director Kim Bodine reviewed performance highlights at the annual meeting. These include:
* Assisting 1,067 employers recruit and hire workers
* Providing 13,352 services to businesses
* Posting 3,549 job orders for businesses
* Providing training and employment services to 141 adults, dislocated workers, and youth under the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act
* Average wage of $25.91/hour at placement for training participants
* Assisting 4,279 jobseekers
* Providing 22,755 services to jobseekers
“We celebrate the success of those we served and the workforce professionals who support them. Their success contributes to a thriving economy in our region,” said Dr. Patricia Hardman, outgoing Chairman of the CareerSource Gulf Coast Board of Directors.
“Our employees make it their mission to improve the lives of people in our community—business owners, job seekers, youth and young adults, veterans, military spouses, and transitioning military service members,” said Kim Bodine, Executive Director of CareerSource Gulf Coast.
Programs delivered by CareerSource Gulf Coast reach far and wide across the region, touching the lives of countless families. Numerous individuals who participated in a CareerSource Gulf Coast program shared the spotlight in the annual "Success Story" presentations, delivered by Bodine. (NOTE: Participant summaries are located at the end of this release).
The service providers for CareerSource Gulf Coast include Gulf Coast State College and Royal American Management. Individuals who participated in programs operated by the service providers were recognized. Additionally, the CareerSource Gulf Coast Board thanked the many agencies it collaborates with to make our communities a great place to work.
The meeting concluded with a vote on a new slate of officers for the year. The gavel was passed to incoming Chairman Elinor Mount-Simmons. Joey Ginn, Market President of Centennial Bank in Bay County, was elected Vice Chair, and Dr. Patricia Hardman of Gulf County will serve as Past President.
"I am deeply honored to serve as Chairman of the CareerSource Gulf Coast Board of Directors," said Mount-Simmons. "I wish to acknowledge the great work performed by the board and the staff, and I look forward to celebrating more successes in the year to come."
CareerSource Gulf Coast provides services to job seekers and employers in Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties, with the primary Career Center located in Panama City at 625 Highway 231. The Franklin County Office is located in Apalachicola at 1 Bay Avenue, and the Gulf County Office is located in the Port St. Joe Community Resource Center, 401 Peters St.
Visit www.careersourcegc.com to learn more about professional workforce development and job placement services, all offered at no charge.
INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS STORY HONOREES
Training Programs
Sean Green, Brooke Martina, and Keith Morgan
Sean Green reached his dream of becoming a Bay County Deputy Sheriff with the help of a training scholarship to attend the Gulf Coast State College Law Enforcement Academy.
Brooke Martina is an Apalachicola native and Registered Nurse who was assisted with training scholarships at Gulf Coast State College, Gulf-Franklin Campus.
Keith Morgan was a long-time employee of a local paper mill that permanently closed its doors. He completed training at Northwest Florida State College for a new occupation as a CDL trucker and is already on the road in a new job.
Cornerstone Out-of-School Youth Program
Hailey Brock and Taylor Ouzts
After Hailey Brock completed high school, she excelled in a Summer Internship Program that led to full-time employment and college enrollment as she plans for a profession in psychology.
Taylor Ouzts committed to completing Adult General Education preparation at Haney Technical College with guidance and support from the CareerSource Gulf Coast Out-of-School Youth Program. The program helped her explore her interests and prepare for a future career in healthcare. She is now enrolled and thriving as a student at Gulf Coast State College.
SNAP Program and Welfare Transition Program, Royal American Management
Jason Cox and Francheska Patterson
Following release from incarceration, the SNAP program helped meet Jason Cox’s needs as he worked towards economic self-sufficiency and obtaining permanent employment. He successfully landed a job with full benefits, with the help of CareerSource Gulf Coast and Royal American Management case management.
Francheska Patterson, a single mom to two teens that relied on public assistance, was able to find employment with the assistance of Royal American Management and CareerSource Gulf Coast. She completed training in message therapy and will be taking her state board examinations as she sets her sights on becoming a business owner.
Fostering Opioid Recovery Grant
Cody Curti
Cody recovered from addiction following incarceration and was assisted by CareerSource Gulf Coast in finding employment with a second-chance employer. Cody was given assistance with transportation, training, housing, and mentorship, as he thrived on his new job with a pathway to management.
