Grant to WISH Center helps increase social and economic mobility along Route 1 Corridor

Earlier this week, the Community Foundation awarded $50,000 to Melwood in support of the Fairfax County Workforce Innovation and Skills Hub (WISH).

The WISH Center is a first-of-its-kind workforce development center designed to break down barriers and create opportunities for economic empowerment and independence for the Fairfax County community. Led by Melwood’s deeply experienced and connected team and in partnership with Building Momentum, WISH offers tactical skills training, soft skills training, job placement services, career mapping, and resources related to language learning, childcare and affordable housing.

WISH serves youth and adults in meeting employment goals and connecting them to a job at a thriving wage, whether they’re looking to enter the workforce for the first time, re-enter the workforce, or identify a new opportunity with greater earnings and development potential.

Rodney Lusk, Fairfax County Franconia District Supervisor, shared that “when it comes to economic development efforts like WISH, your outputs are only as good as your inputs. With this investment, the Community Foundation for Northern Virginia is giving Melwood and the entire infrastructure and team behind the WISH Center the kind of input they need to generate truly transformational outputs for our residents. I couldn’t be more appreciative of their support, and I look forward to partnering with them in the years ahead to provide employment opportunities, and build generational wealth for those who call our community home.”