Lifting Up Westchester Celebrates Opening of Job Central Facility

BCW Member Lifting Up Westchester (LUW) staff, clients, supporters, and community partners recently celebrated the opening of LUW’s Job Central, a new facility to provide job readiness and placement services for the unemployed and underemployed in Westchester County.

The new facility was made possible through a two-year, $200,000 community impact grant from KeyBank Foundation. The grant enabled LUW to renovate the physical space at 148 Hamilton Avenue in White Plains, hire staff, establish employment partnerships, and work with the Department of Social Services and other social welfare organizations to build a pipeline to targeted populations. The center strives to assist an estimated 175 unemployed and significantly under-employed individuals over the grant’s two-year funding period.

“The opening of Job Central is an exciting milestone for us,” said Kotval. “It allows us to expand our employment services to a broader segment of the Westchester community at a time when employers are struggling to find candidates. Job Central will help community members who want to work overcome challenges to finding — and maintaining — employment. We thank KeyBank for supporting our mission and helping us lift individuals out of poverty,” said Anahaita Kotval, Chief Executive Officer of Lifting Up Westchester at a ribbon cutting ceremony held October 18.

“KeyBank is thrilled to see Job Central open its doors to the Westchester community and proud to be a partner in bringing it to fruition,” he said. “Earning a living wage is essential to an individual’s and family’s financial health and self-sufficiency, and we are committed to supporting organizations who are breaking down employment barriers that hinder many of our unemployed and underemployed neighbors,” said KeyBank Market President John Manginelli.

From left – KeyBank Area Retail Leader Elona Shape, White Plains Branch Manager Maria Bassallo, Market President John Manginelli and Lifting Up Westchester CEO Anahaita Kotval at the Job Central ribbon cutting event.