irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $1.74MERIE COUNTY HEALTHCARE CAREERS GRANT - TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT SERVICES IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD, UTILIZING FUNDS PROVIDED BY ERIE COUNTY.
named programs · 7 · from sources
What they call their work
Aim Higher Youth Workforce Program
Customized workforce services for young adults ages 16-24 including employment assistance, academic skill improvement, and pathways to college or training
Career Pathway Programs
Free training programs in high-demand fields including HVAC, Construction Carpentry, Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and Parks Maintenance for dislocated workers
Erie County Healthcare Careers (ECHC) Grant
Provides training for high-demand healthcare occupations including LPN, RN, Surgical Technologist, and Respiratory Therapist through partnerships with local colleges and funded by Erie County
Individual Training Account (ITA)
Funding accounts that cover the cost of approved training programs for eligible dislocated workers in Buffalo and Erie County
On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program
Wage reimbursement program for employers who hire and train dislocated workers, funded by WIOA
Square One: Justice-Impacted Workforce Program
Vocational services for justice-impacted individuals including career exploration, employment readiness, job search assistance, and job training at the Downtown Career Center
Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Program
Support for workers who lost jobs due to foreign trade, helping them navigate eligibility and benefits under the Trade Act
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Workforce Readiness Training 8 activities
- Administer On-the-Job Training (OJT) wage reimbursement for employersOperates an On-the-Job Training program that provides up to 50% wage reimbursement to employers hiring individuals with partial skill alignment, enabling new hires to gain supervised work experience in high-demand industries while filling critical workforce gaps.
- Assist displaced workers with Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) enrollmentHelps workers displaced due to foreign trade impacts navigate eligibility requirements and enroll in Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits to support reemployment and training.
- Deliver employer-focused workforce solutionsSupports local businesses through customized recruitment, job fairs, job postings, lunch-and-learn events, and group training programs tailored to employer-specific needs, helping build and maintain a qualified workforce.
- Deliver specialized workforce programs for youth and justice-impacted individualsOperates the Aim Higher Youth Workforce Program for young adults aged 16–24 and the Square One Program for justice-impacted individuals, offering vocational services, career exploration, employment readiness, and job training at the Downtown Career Center.
- Deliver workforce training and job placement servicesProvides job training, credentialing, and placement into good-paying jobs, particularly in high-demand fields such as healthcare, construction, HVAC, CDL, and parks maintenance. Services are delivered through career pathway programs, customized training, and hands-on skill development for dislocated workers, youth, and other targeted populations.
- Offer grant-funded skills training in demand occupationsProvides eligible individuals with access to grant-funded training programs in Erie County’s high-demand occupations, including healthcare, skilled trades, and transportation, often supported by federal, state, or local funding sources.
- Provide cost-free career development and employment supportOffers comprehensive career services including career coaching, resume writing, job search and placement assistance, interview preparation, workshops, and access to local job listings for Erie County residents, with additional support through orientation sessions and one-on-one coaching.
- Provide supportive services to aid workforce participationOffers wraparound supportive services including housing, food, transportation, childcare assistance, and ESL classes to help job seekers overcome barriers to training and employment.
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Union-Linked Educational Scholarships 1 activity
- Fund individual training accounts for dislocated workersProvides Individual Training Account (ITA) funding to eligible dislocated workers to cover tuition and related costs for approved training programs, enabling career transitions into high-demand fields.
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Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
- Operate centralized workforce service centersManages the Workforce Buffalo Downtown Career Center at 77 Broadway St, Buffalo, NY, consolidating workforce services previously located at multiple sites, including SUNY Erie North and South Career Centers and the former Buffalo Employment and Training Center.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$10.45M
Contributions & grants$10.45M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$00%
Other revenue$4K
expenses
Total expenses$10.20M
Program expenses89%
Admin / overhead11%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$4.19M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$8.41M
Cash$3.46M
Investments$0
Liabilities$7.65M
Net assets$754K
Liquid reserves4.1 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +16.5%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KENNETH NEWSOM | CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER | 40 | $139K |
| LAVON STEPHENS | ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $127K |
board members · 3
- OSWALDO MESTRE JR — TREASURER
- TOM GEORGE — VICE CHAIR (ACTING CHAIR)
- ZAQUE EVANS — SECRETARY
relationships · 40
Who they work with
- ACCES-VR Buffalo District Office Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner providing vocational rehabilitation and adult career services
- Associates for Training & Development Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner administering Senior Community Services Employment Programs (SCSEP)
- Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner offering employment and training services through HUD programs
- Buffalo Public Schools Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner delivering adult education and family literacy programs
- Buffalo Urban League Partner — Contracted provider delivering youth workforce services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
- Cassadaga Job Corps Academy Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner providing Job Corps services
- City of Buffalo Government — Funder of youth workforce development programs including the Mayor's Summer Youth initiative
- Community Action Organization of Western NY, Inc. Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner offering employment and training through Community Services Block Grants
- County of Erie Department of Social Services, Employment Division Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner administering Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) employment programs
- D’Youville College Partner — Partner organization in the Erie County Healthcare Careers Program providing healthcare training.
- Erie 1 BOCES Partner — Partner organization in the Erie County Healthcare Careers Program providing healthcare training.
- Erie 1 BOCES Workforce Development Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner providing adult career training services
- Erie County Government — Collaborates on workforce development initiatives focused on Demand Occupations in Erie County.
- Erie County Government — Funder and partner in the Erie County Healthcare Careers Program.
- Erie County Government — Funding and program implementation partner for healthcare careers training initiatives
- Erie County Department of Social Services Partner — Co-hosts vocational job fairs to connect individuals with training and employment opportunities.
- Indeed Partner — Partners with Indeed to post job opportunities and manage applications.
- Jobcorps Partner — Contracted provider delivering youth workforce services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
- NYS Commission for the Blind Western NY Region Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner providing vocational rehabilitation services for individuals who are blind or visually impaired
- Native American Community Services of Erie and Niagara Counties, Inc. Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner delivering workforce development programs for Native American communities
- New York State Department of Labor Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner offering Wagner-Peyser services, Trade Adjustment Assistance, Jobs for Veterans, and Unemployment Insurance support
- New York State Regional Economic Development Council Government — Collaborates with the Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) and aligns programming with its targeted industry sectors.
- SUNY Buffalo Partner — Partner organization in the Erie County Healthcare Careers Program providing healthcare training.
- SUNY Erie Partner — Collaborates to operate Career Centers providing workforce development services to Erie County residents.
- SUNY Erie Partner — Partner organization in the Erie County Healthcare Careers Program providing healthcare training.
- SUNY Erie Community College Partner — Hosts Workforce Buffalo Career Center locations at its North and South Campuses.
- SUNY Erie North Campus Partner — Hosts a Career Center location for Workforce Buffalo services.
- SUNY Erie South Campus Partner — Hosts a Career Center location for Workforce Buffalo services.
- Supportive Services Corporation Partner — WIOA Workforce System Partner operating Senior Community Services Employment Programs (SCSEP)
- The Service Collaborative of WNY Partner — Contracted provider delivering youth workforce services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
+ 10 more
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Cost-Free Access to Trainingmethodology: cost_free_accessBy offering cost-free career training programs, the organization reduces financial barriers to participation, especially for dislocated workers, increasing access and re-entry into the workforce because affordability directly enables engagement in upskilling.
- Employer Incentive-Based Trainingmethodology: employer incentive-based trainingBy reimbursing employers up to 50% of a new hire’s wage during supervised training, the organization reduces employer risk in hiring underqualified or underrepresented candidates, thereby increasing opportunities for workforce re-entry and skills development because financial incentives lower barriers to employer participation.
- Industry-Aligned Workforce Trainingmethodology: industry-aligned-workforce-trainingBy co-designing skills training with industry leaders, businesses, and educational providers, the organization ensures that workforce development is directly responsive to labor market demands, increasing job readiness and employment alignment because training is grounded in real-world occupational needs.
- Integrated Career and Case Management Servicesmethodology: integrated_career_servicesBy combining career coaching, skills training, resume support, job placement, and WIOA-aligned case management, the organization improves workforce readiness and job retention because coordinated services address multiple barriers to sustainable employment simultaneously.
- Targeted Reintegration for High-Barrier Populationsmethodology: two-generation approachBy delivering customized workforce services to youth (14–24) and justice-impacted individuals, the organization reduces structural employment barriers because tailored support addresses the specific needs and systemic challenges faced by these populations.