Eckerd Connects

Long before Eckerd Connects became the organization it is today, Jack and Ruth Eckerd believed philanthropy was about more than giving—it was about creating lasting opportunities for others. Watch the Legacy Video to learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x4p0C

🎓 A milestone years in the making. Four Pinellas County Job Corps students recently reached an incredible achievement—earning their high school diplomas. During the campus's monthly awards ceremony the graduates proudly walked the aisle alongside Campus Director Ty Graham, celebrating a moment they had worked hard to achieve. After the ceremony, one overheard conversation perfectly captured what the milestone meant: "I never thought I would walk down the aisle as a high school graduate." "I know... I can't believe I did it." For Ovaughn and Jordan, who are training in Electrical, Javarius in Facilities Maintenance, and Aaron in Certified Medical Assistant, this accomplishment is another step toward the careers and futures they're building through Job Corps. Congratulations to all four graduates! Your determination, resilience, and hard work have brought you to this moment, and we're proud to celebrate your success. #PinellasCountyJobCorps #JobCorpsWorks #StudentSuccess #Graduation #CareerTraining #BuildingFutures

One year. Thousands of lives. Countless stories of resilience. Over the past year, Eckerd Connects CEO Michael D. Smith has traveled across our programs, meeting the students, families, staff, and community partners who bring our mission to life every day. In his latest article, Michael reflects on what he's learned about America's opportunity gap—and why expanding access to education, workforce development, family support, and meaningful careers has never been more important. It's a powerful reminder that while talent is everywhere, opportunity isn't—and why our work to connect people with the resources they need continues to matter. Read Michael's reflections below. ⬇️ https://brnw.ch/21x4lnj #EckerdConnects #WorkforceDevelopment #Opportunity #EconomicMobility #CommunityImpact #Leadership

Looking to advance your career somewhere truly special? Eckerd Connects is a great place to make it happen. Check out our newest opening as Youth Counselor in Candor, NC today! https://bit.ly/45em29c #MakeADifference #SocialWork

🏛️ Continuing the Conversation on Workforce Development Yesterday, Eckerd Connects President & CEO Michael D. Smith and Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer Trish Jones continued meetings on Capitol Hill, engaging with congressional leaders and staff on the future of workforce development and the policies shaping tomorrow's economy. The day's discussions included meetings with Senator Ted Budd (NC) and Senator John Hickenlooper (CO), along with senior staff representing Senator Mark Kelly (AZ), Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO), and Congressman Don Davis (NC). Throughout the conversations, Michael and Trish highlighted Eckerd Connects' nearly 60-year commitment to helping individuals build meaningful careers while discussing the evolving workforce landscape. Topics included preparing workers for an economy increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, expanding access to skills-based education and job training, creating pathways to family-sustaining wages, and strengthening partnerships that connect employers with a skilled workforce. As technology continues to transform the workplace, Eckerd Connects remains committed to ensuring individuals have access to the education, training, and support needed to secure meaningful careers and family-sustaining wages. #EckerdConnects #WorkforceDevelopment #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork

Yesterday, Eckerd Connects President & CEO Michael D. Smith and Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer Trish Jones met with members of Congress and senior congressional staff to discuss the future of workforce development and expanding opportunity for youth, adults, families, and employers across the country. Highlights included meetings with Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX) and U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ), as well as productive conversations with senior staff representing Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC), Congressman Eli Crane (AZ), Ranking Member Bobby Scott (VA) of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Throughout the day, Michael and Trish shared how Eckerd Connects' nearly 60-year legacy is helping strengthen America's workforce through a continuum of services across 21 states and the District of Columbia. They also discussed opportunities to modernize workforce systems, strengthen employer partnerships, and expand access to education, training, and meaningful careers. We appreciate the opportunity to engage with leaders and staff on both sides of the aisle and look forward to continuing to serve as a trusted resource on workforce and education policy. #EckerdConnects #WorkforceDevelopment #JobCorps #PublicPolicy

🌟 Provider Spotlight: Learning Without Limits Eckerd Connects' Early Head Start-Child Care Partners (CCP) program is proud to recognize childcare providers Neomi and Sylvia, who recently presented "Learning Without Limits" at the Florida Family Child Care Home Association 2026 Annual Conference. As family childcare home providers partnering with Eckerd Connects to serve children and families in their communities, Neomi and Sylvia play an important role in delivering high-quality early learning experiences for children enrolled through our program. During their session, they shared practical, hands-on teaching strategies designed to support young children's development through meaningful, play-based learning experiences. Topics included the importance of the first five years of life, the power of serve-and-return interactions, and ways to strengthen children's social-emotional development. Participants left with simple, engaging ideas they could immediately implement in their own programs, along with a ready-to-use song glove that encourages communication, participation, decision-making, and independence. We are proud to celebrate Neomi and Sylvia for sharing their expertise and helping fellow early childhood educators create learning experiences without limits. #EckerdConnects #EarlyHeadStart #EarlyChildhoodEducation #ProfessionalDevelopment #ChildDevelopment #EmpoweringPotential

#JFFSummit has brought together the leaders and innovators shaping the future of workforce development. Sharp conversations, real urgency, and a shared push to connect talent to opportunity at scale. Yesterday I had the pleasure of joining a CEO panel moderated by Jim Shelton, alongside: Michael D. Smith, President & CEO of Eckerd Connects Rachel Korberg, CEO, Intermediary Ed Susan Murray, CEO, Year Up We got into the questions that matter: how to grow the workforce during a period of rapid change, how to work across sectors to meet the moment, and the leadership it takes to move skilled talent into the roles our economy needs filled. The throughline for me is simple: Workforce development is economic infrastructure, and the skilled talent we leave on the table is truly both an economic and competitiveness concern. Strong panel. Sharper conversation. Thank you to Michael and Eckerd Connects for the photo of yesterday's panel.

Great conversations happen when leaders across sectors come together with a shared commitment to expanding opportunity. Yesterday, Michael D. Smith, President & CEO of Eckerd Connects, joined an outstanding panel at the Jobs for the Future JFF Horizons Executive Summit, moderated by Jim Shelton, to discuss what leadership requires in a moment of rapid change, how we strengthen collaboration across sectors, and what it will take to create greater opportunity for young people, families, and job seekers. Thank you to fellow panelists: • Gregory Adam Haile, J.D., CEO, Upwardly Global • Rachel Korberg, CEO, Intermediary Ed • Susan Murray, CEO, Year Up The summit also provided an opportunity to connect with incredible leaders and partners who are helping shape the future of education and workforce development, including Tyra Mariani, Tequilla Brownie, Ed.D., Anand Vimalassery, Interim President & CEO of the National Job Corps Association, and George Foreman IV, entrepreneur, National Job Corps Association Board Chair, and proud son of Job Corps alumnus George Foreman. We're grateful to Maria Flynn and Jobs for the Future (JFF) for organizing such thoughtful dialogue, opportunities for new connections, and shared commitment to ensuring more individuals—especially those furthest from opportunity—have access to the education, training, and support they need to thrive. Amy Seusing Trish Jones Ursula L. Wright Jonathan Zeigler #JFFHorizons #WorkforceDevelopment #OpportunityYouth

Join our team and take the next step in your career! Apply now and let's make a difference together. Details: Workforce Career Coach in Anderson, SC https://bit.ly/4vZmLGZ #MakeADifference #CareerCoach