HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-03-05CountyrelaunchesRisetoWorkprogramDEREK S.K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
News Release
For Immediate Release: March 5, 2021
COUNTY OF KAUA‘I
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
NALANI BRUN, DIRECTOR
(808) 241-4946
County re-launches Rise to Work program, applications open March 8
LĪHU‘E – The County of Kaua‘i has announced that it will be re-launching the Rise to Work
program, which was created in 2020 to help Kaua‘i residents who lost their job connect to temporary
job opportunities with local employers. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply when
applications open on Monday, March 8.
The expanded 2021 program, which increases the number of positions available, is made
possible through the generous support of Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg through the Chan
Zuckerberg Kaua‘i Community Fund of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation (HCF).
“Through our CARES funding we created the Rise to Work program to help get those
unemployed back to work and making a living wage, but we always knew those funds would expire in
December,” said Mayor Kawakami. “During a meeting with the Chan Zuckerberg team, I shared about
how this program has made a huge impact in our community and that one day we wanted to revive and
expand the program and bring jobs back to our people. Through Priscilla’s and Mark’s generous
donation of $4.2 million to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation, the Rise to Work program lives again –
offering purpose and hope to people who are struggling. We are extremely grateful for this opportunity
to boost our economy and our community while continuing to keep our health and safety initiatives at
the forefront.”
Last year, the Rise to Work program provided temporary positions for 280 displaced workers
and supported 100 local employers using funds from the CARES Act. This year, funding will support up to
400 workers and up to 200 employers.
Participants in the program receive weekly pay, free health insurance benefits and the
opportunity to learn new skills and gain professional connections. In addition to supporting displaced
workers, the Rise to Work program also benefits non-profit organizations and our local business
community on Kaua‘i by increasing their capacity, without adding payroll costs.
“Our family cares deeply about Kaua‘i, and we are pleased to support this valuable program that
has far-reaching positive effects in a community we love,” said Chan. “Our gratitude goes out to the
County of Kaua‘i, KGEFCU, ProService, and HCF for quickly collaborating to strengthen and support
residents, businesses, and organizations during this time.”
Local business and non-profit organizations interested in hiring employees through the Rise to
Work program can complete the employer application form on the Kauai Forward website beginning
Monday, March 8. The County of Kaua‘i will be partnering with ProService Hawai‘i again to implement
the program.
“Congratulations to Rise to Work, Mayor Kawakami and the team at the Office of Economic
Development, for conceiving such an innovative program,” stated Ben Godsey, CEO of ProService
Hawai‘i. “Rise to Work proves that we can locally conceive, quickly stand-up and execute a program that
boosts our local economy, supports employers and employs our hard-working people with competitive
wages and full benefits. Our entire ProService ‘ohana is honored to be your partner supporting Rise to
Work and the positive impact you are having in our community. We are delighted to continue partnering
with you, your employers and their employees.”
“With the last Rise to Work program being a huge success with positive feedback from
businesses and employees, we are thrilled to be able to offer this program again,” said Michelle Lopes,
Economic Development Specialist with the Office of Economic Development.
Both part-time and full-time positions will be offered for displaced workers with a variety of
skills and experience. The county will post a list of these job opportunities on the Kaua‘i Forward
website and through our American Job Center. Participating employers will also be advertising their
positions and will be managing the recruitment and selection for their positions.
“We are grateful to all of the partners who are working together to make this program possible,
including Dr. Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg, Hawai‘i Community Foundation, ProService Hawai‘i
and Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union,” said Diana Singh, Business Innovation
Coordinator with the Office of Economic Development.
“The tremendous impact of Rise to Work is testament to how our community mobilizes in
response to crisis,” concluded Monica Belz, CEO, KGEFCU. “In 2020, Rise to Work enabled us to hire
critically needed staff quickly and easily to deploy millions of dollars to support rent relief, employment
and job creation.”
For more information on the Rise to Work program, please visit the Kaua‘i Forward website:
www.KauaiForward.com/RisetoWork.
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