Partner Spotlight: Ashley Fleming

Reliable transportation is vital to obtaining and maintaining a job in the trades, especially in Southwest Missouri, where public transportation may be limited. A missed car payment, needed repairs, or money for a tank of gas could pose a seemingly insurmountable barrier for students in the Apprentice Ready Program. However, many Missouri Works Initiative students can overcome this challenge and graduate through the generosity of The Community Foundation of the Ozarks’ Let’s Get to Work grant program.

“In the Fall of 2021, the CFO hosted a series of donor education events focused on philanthropy and workforce development. Throughout the series, we heard from Springfield employers about the challenges they encounter in hiring and retaining employees. One of the recurring barriers was reliable transportation,” shares Ashley Fleming, CFO Grant Program Coordinator.

“In response, the CFO launched the Let’s Get to Work grant program,” says Ashley. “The grant program provides funding to nonprofit agencies, including the Missouri Works Initiative, working with low-income individuals in acquiring or maintaining employment by supporting related transportation expenses, including anything from paying for insurance costs and licensing fees to paying for car repairs, to purchasing e-bikes,” she says. “The goal of the grant program is to help individuals experiencing job loss or reduction of hours due to lack of reliable transportation move from unemployment to employment, or from part-time employment to full-time,” says Ashley. 

With barriers like reliable transportation removed, graduates of the Apprentice Ready Program continue to build better futures for themselves, their families, and the Ozarks as a whole. MWI appreciates the CFO grant to support its students entering and completing construction apprenticeships.