Volunteers Needed! Can you believe that we are planning the ninth CareerSpark expo? It seems like only yesterday we were gathered for the very first event. Since then, over 30,000 middle school students – a good chunk of them now in the workforce – have walked through the Peoria Civic Center (or online during COVID) to start thinking about their future. Well, none of this happens without an amazing crew of volunteers – over 400 of them each year, actually. While this year’s CareerSpark isn’t until October 1-2, the hunt for volunteers starts now! General volunteer registration has opened for the public to become bus greeters, tour guides, monitors, and more. Be a part of the excitement as students discover their passions for their futures! Signal your interest here. (This is a great event for corporate group volunteerism.)
Emerging Workforce: Speaking of our future workforce, last Friday, Greater Peoria EDC and Distillery Labs, under the auspices of the Regional Workforce Alliance, co-hosted the Emerging Workforce Alliance Summer Retreat. The event welcomed educators from across the region to collaborate and be inspired to further the implementation of the PaCE (Postsecondary and Career Expectations) Framework, with a special focus on middle school college and career readiness. The retreat featured valuable peer exchanges where educators shared initiatives such as mental health days, career readiness activities, and inclusive messaging that recognizes college is not the only pathway to success. With strong attendance and passionate dialogue, the retreat highlighted the region’s commitment to preparing students for a diverse range of futures.
Child Care Concerns: Did you know that the average monthly cost of full-time child care is $861 per child in Peoria County, or that 72% of the children in working families in Tazewell, Woodford and Mason counties don’t have available licensed child care? Earlier this week we partnered with Birth to Five Illinois to host a “lunch and learn” focused on expanding access, quality, and reliability to childcare in the region. Over a dozen local employers attended, including several exploring the possibility of opening on-site daycare centers. The event featured an introduction to the Birth to Five Illinois initiative, remarks from Brenda Smith of the Greater Peoria Child Care Resource and Referral Center on the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), and a compelling panel discussion. The panel included working parents facing childcare access challenges, representatives from the Women’s Business Development Center, State Senator Li Arellano, and Lynette Steger, who shared insights on the emerging model of co-locating childcare with elder care. The event highlighted the intersection of workforce development and family care, emphasizing the need for innovative, employer-supported childcare solutions in Greater Peoria.
Startup Showcase: Join us on July 2 in celebrating a night of innovation and entrepreneurship. The evening will highlight presentations by the latest graduates of the gBeta Distillery Labs program. The event kicks off at 5 pm at Distillery Labs. Complimentary bar and appetizers provided. RSVP here.
Big Table: The next Big Table Greater Peoria will be held October 17–18 at the Four Points Sheraton Peoria. We want you to join us for two days of bold conversations, fresh ideas, and regional collaboration. This year’s theme—Innovation as a Regional Growth Strategy—will guide our discussions on workforce, entrepreneurship, livability, and opportunity. Register here today to attend or serve as a table facilitator and help shape the future of Greater Peoria.
Have a great weekend.
Chris