Can a workforce development program that includes job placement be integrated with affordable housing, connecting people with quality jobs in their own neighborhood?

The project with Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH) sought to improve the employment outcomes of residents on the Southside of Columbus by providing workforce development relevant to the health sector to residents of an affordable housing property and surrounding community. The project developed and operationalized the workforce programming and integrated career coaching, job search tools, and interview preparation services for alumni.

With a contract award from Fannie Mae, the Nationwide team was able to:

• Hire a full-time project manager to lead the workforce development program and four full-time Goodwill Columbus employees to provide career consultation and facilitation services for participants and alumni.
• Operationalize the program, including outreach, recruitment, training, and career coaching.

By the end of the contract with Fannie Mae, NCH had graduated 138 participants and facilitated the employment of 97 program alumni, including 31 alumni who were hired by the hospital. The Nationwide Children’s team plans to expand this program.

Since receiving the contract award from Fannie Mae, Nationwide has received additional funding and financial support from Bank of America, the City of Columbus, Buckeye Health Plan, Goodwill Columbus, Tech Cred, and the Aspen Institute.

Watch the video to see how Nationwide Children’s Hospital is preparing local residents for employment opportunities.

Nationwide Children's Hospital is a destination academic pediatric medical center designed to manage the most complex diseases, treating the sickest of patients from across the country and around the world. They build research programs to assure tomorrow’s breakthroughs help children everywhere.