CareerRise’s Westside Works Celebrates 10 Years of Transforming Atlanta Lives

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CareerRise is an Atlanta-based workforce intermediary that connects employers, training providers, support services, job seekers and workforce funders to build partnerships and implement equitable workforce strategies. Through its Westside Works initiative, CareerRise has been at the forefront of facilitating critically needed workforce development programs and services that empower individuals and contribute significantly to the overall economic growth and prosperity of Atlanta’s Westside community.

Celebrating its 10-year anniversary in September 2024, Westside Works is a neighborhood-based workforce collaborative. The program aims to transform the Westside community and Greater Metro Atlanta through increased access to job training, education services and good jobs. Westside Works training programs offer a wide range of career-building opportunities in high-demand sectors and industries, from hospitality to information technology to skilled trades.

Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation support for CareerRise dates back to 2014 with the creation of Westside Works, which originally supported the construction of Mercedes-Benz Stadium to ensure the project was a catalyst for Atlanta’s Westside neighborhood. Since then, 1,200 residents have graduated from the program, moved into full-time living-wage jobs and collectively earned more than $20 million in wages for themselves and their families. ​Westside Works has expanded its training and services to include a holistic menu, offering community-based resources, educational classes, training programming and rapid placement to meet the needs of all Metro Atlanta job seekers. ​

The foundation’s most recent grant to CareerRise was $6.2 million in 2023, which provided vital resources to bolster infrastructure, expand partnerships and further enhance services, solidifying Westside Works as a model of excellence in community-based training and workforce development.

The foundation recently had the opportunity to engage in a very insightful conversation with Kemazee Cooper, a 2020 Westside Works graduate originally from the English Avenue neighborhood who is now a systems engineer at Microsoft.

Q: Kemazee, what was your biggest takeaway from the Westside Works program?

A:  Westside Works provided me with all the options and assistance that I needed to be able to determine my career path. Everybody on the team has the community at heart and genuinely wants to help you reach your goals.

Q: What advice would you give someone just starting the program today?

A: Come into it with an open mind because you don’t know where the program can take you when it comes to your career or education. Take advantage of all the resources that are available and don’t be afraid to ask for help. And think of the team at Westside Works as family, because that’s what they really are.

Q: Looking back, what was one key skill or lesson you learned through Westside Works that you continue to rely on in your career?

A: The importance of a first impression. And the importance of your presentation in that first impression – professionalism, a positive demeanor and a smile can go a long way.

Q: This year marks the 10th anniversary of Westside Works. What does it mean to you for the organization to reach this milestone?

A: That’s amazing! I can’t imagine how many people they’ve helped throughout these ten years. There’s a real sense of excitement for me because I can’t wait to see what they do over the next ten years. They’ve become such an integral part of our community.

Q: How do you plan to stay involved with the Westside community or give back in the future?

A: In addition to financial support, I’m really excited about donating my time through volunteer or mentoring opportunities. I didn’t start out in the best environment, but here I am now working in infrastructure and artificial intelligence for Microsoft. I want to be that familiar voice in the community that encourages and inspires young people to reach their goals.

Westside Works has become a beacon of hope for Westside residents seeking to enhance their skills, secure sustainable employment and achieve financial independence. Through its grantmaking strategy for Atlanta’s Westside, the foundation will continue supporting long-term residents as they become more economically stable and benefit from the improvements and resources in the community.