JOAN STAUNTON NAMED NEW HEAD OF HENRY STREET'S WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Joan Staunton, the new Director of Henry Street Settlement’s Workforce Development Center (WDC), has deep roots in the Lower East Side. Her relatives moved to the neighborhood from Italy a century ago, and her grandfather operated a dental practice on nearby Grand Street for years.

“Thanks to my family, I always knew about Henry Street,” she said.

Staunton joined the Settlement’s staff in 2004 as the WDC's Director or Programs, after working for 10 years in corporate affairs specifically on an initiative that supported community organizations fighting illiteracy. There, she realized she enjoyed helping others reach their full potential.

“To go from that to workforce development was very natural,” said Staunton, who replaced David Garza as the head of WDC after he became Henry Street's Executive Director in July. “It was equally empowering work.”

In her new role, Staunton oversees the WDC’s comprehensive job training, placement and retention services for adults, out-of-school youth and public assistance recipients. The Center provides services to more than 1,500 clients each year.

“It’s very challenging work,” said Staunton, who has worked in New York for 25 years. “Now there’s so much need and fewer opportunities in the workforce, but that’s what keeps our staff going. The work is truly vital, and seeing the participants’ success is a wonderful experience.”

NEW COFFEE BLEND TO BENEFIT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER

Plowshares Coffee, an artisanal coffee roaster in New York, has introduced a new coffee Workforce Blend that will benefit Henry Street Settlement’s Workforce Development Center (WDC).

The company will donate a portion of sales from the new blend to the WDC.

Workforce Blend is sold at Bklyn Larder in Park Slope (228 Flatbush Ave.) and on the Plowshares website. This flavorful blend (from Rainforest Alliance Certified small producers) offers a deep, full-bodied cup.

“We are thrilled that Plowshares has not only created a blend to recognize the WDC, but is generously donating proceeds to support our program,” said David Garza, chief administrator of the WDC.

“I started Plowshares Coffee Roasters, in part, to support the work of local communities as well as coffee growers,” said Anthony Kurutz, President/CEO of Plowshares. “Developing a coffee blend that supports sustainability and contributes to the Workforce Development Center promotes both of those goals. I could not find a better cause at a more crucial time.”

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT CENTER PARTNERS WITH TWO ORGANIZATIONS TO HELP CLIENTS

Henry Street's Workforce Development Center has partnered with two organizations — Credit Suisse and Opening Doors to Prosperity, a volunteer group of hospitality professionals — to bring valuable information to its clients. Opening Doors to Prosperity held a Hospitality Open House on October 27 at the Workforce Development Center for clients interested in the sector, and Credit Suisse will host a holiday-themed Alumni Night on December 21 at their corporate offices on Madison Avenue.

Both organizations have previously volunteered their time to help WDC clients. Members of Opening Doors to Prosperity met with WDC clients seeking jobs to discuss different career paths in the hospitality industry, sales and marketing, the front desk, engineering and maintenance, and legal and accounting.

"Because of the state of the economy, the people of New York City need our help now more than ever, and we are proud to have partnered with the Henry Street Settlement in what we believe was a successful hospitality training seminar," said Atit Jariwala, director of Opening Doors to Prosperity. "We look forward to continuing to partner with Henry Street."

Credit Suisse invited now-employed WDC clients to the company’s offices to learn skills that lead to career advancement. Clients showed off what they had learned in a lively game of Jeopardy!

Both events were a "huge success," said WDC Chief Administrator David Garza — and he predicts the same will be true of the two upcoming events.

"These events are invaluable to job seekers because they provide access to professionals currently working in these fields," he said. "There's no better source for information and career advice."