The ONE Cedar Valley Philosophy
One Cedar Valley provides tools of empowerment to create an environment where our community embraces minoritized residents as we intentionally increase economic vitality for our Black community.
Our goals include:
*Deconstructing barriers to provide employment for all.
*Championing hiring and cultural changes within our business sector.
*Creating best practices for community collaboration and unity to strengthen economic inclusion.
*Celebrating diversity and inclusion.
*Increasing workforce participation in the Cedar Valley.
*Sustaining a priority focus on under-employed black and people of color to create intentional inclusion in economic vitality of community.
*Serving as a resource hub to maximize opportunities and reduce barriers to employment.
Getting to Work!
Unlocking Doors to a Better Tomorrow
In 2018, 24/7 Wall Street released a gut-wrenching report that identified Waterloo and Cedar Falls as the worst place in the country for Black neighbors. We currently remain in the top ten, as two additional Iowa communities have joined the list and 13 of the 20 communities are located in the Midwest. Additionally, the World Economic Forum (WEF) determined there is a “reskilling emergency” highlighting that: by 2022, 42% of the core skills required to perform existing jobs are expected to change, and more than a billion people (globally) will need to be reskilled by 2030.
We at ONE Cedar Valley assembled and pledged to do the work to ensure our community, the Cedar Valley, not only pursues a future where we are no longer on the list, but we take it a step further and prepare our workforce for the careers of tomorrow.
Through an integrated service delivery strategy, we serve as a hub to connect individuals to income and work support, financial education and asset building resources, educational and workforce training. Partnering with local employers and business supports to leverage and expand resources, and tear down barriers that have led to generational poverty in our community. This collaborative community effort will provide real impact and outcomes to the disenfranchised, underemployed, and unemployed.
Together, we are sending a clear message about who we are as the Cedar Valley—that we’re inclusive, that we’re vibrant, and that we’re moving forward—and we’re doing it with intent and action.
