In 1996, Dave and Liane Phillips founded Cincinnati Works around a simple but ambitious idea: employment could be a pathway out of poverty if people had the right support to succeed over time.
Thirty years later, the workplace has changed, but several lessons have endured.
Lesson 1: Listen Before You Solve
One-on-one coaching has remained the backbone of Cincinnati Works because no two people arrive with the same goals, strengths or circumstances. Sustainable progress starts by listening, building trust and creating a plan with the individual rather than for the individual.
Lesson 2: Build Around the Whole Person
Work and life are connected. A career plan is stronger when it recognizes the realities a person is navigating outside the workplace. Cincinnati Works has learned to combine employment support with trusted community partnerships so Members can access specialized resources when needed.
Lesson 3: Employers Belong at the Table
Workforce development works best when job seekers and employers are both part of the solution. Cincinnati Works’ employer relationships help connect motivated candidates with opportunity while giving businesses a partner in building stronger workforces.
Lesson 4: Confidence Is a Workforce Skill
Technical and professional skills matter, but so does believing that advancement is possible. Coaching, training and encouragement can help people recognize strengths, take on new challenges and pursue opportunities they might otherwise overlook.
The Lesson That Still Guides Us
Three decades of experience have reinforced one idea above all: lasting change happens when opportunity and support come together.
Cincinnati Works began with a bold vision to eliminate poverty in our community. Thirty years later, that vision continues to guide the work ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Cincinnati Works founded?
Cincinnati Works was founded in 1996 by Dave and Liane Phillips.
What is the Cincinnati Works mission?
Cincinnati Works partners with willing and capable people living in poverty to help them advance toward economic self-sufficiency through employment.
What makes the Cincinnati Works model different?
Its model is built around individualized coaching, employer partnerships and long-term support rather than a one-time employment transaction.