Inside the First Getting Ahead in the Workplace Cohort

Over the past 16 weeks, a group of people came together for three hours each week to do some really hard work. Together, we took a deep dive into our own lives and researched community conditions. We reviewed the Getting Ahead material, shared our lived experiences, asked hard questions, and investigated the conditions of our community. And somewhere along the way, something magical happened:

We became a cohort. We built relationships grounded in mutual respect. We celebrated each other’s wins and stood by one another when the going got tough. We laughed, learned, reflected, and pushed through challenges as a team. By the end, this wasn’t just a workshop; it was a group of people who had each other’s backs.

This inaugural Getting Ahead in the Workplace cohort is a trailblazing group of pioneers, the first in the North Country to complete the Workplace edition. Their courage, honesty, and determination have paved the way for future cohorts and strengthened the foundation of this important work.

And while the 16-week workshop is ending, the journey for each investigator continues. The tools they’ve gained, the insights they’ve uncovered, and the community they’ve built will follow them into the workplace and beyond.

Over these months, we learned about stability … and what it feels like to build it together. Each session brought new insights, new conversations, and new possibilities. And while every investigator walked in with their own story, they all shared a common goal: creating a more stable future for themselves and their families.

That’s the heart of the Bridges Out of Poverty framework. Bridges helps us understand that moving toward stability isn’t only about income. It’s about recognizing and strengthening the many resources people need to thrive, such as emotional resilience, supportive relationships, communication skills, and social capital. When even one of these resources is missing, life can feel unpredictable. When several are missing, moving forward can feel impossible.

Getting Ahead in the Workplace helps people name those challenges and build a roadmap for overcoming them. Investigators explored the “hidden rules” that shape workplace expectations, learned how different backgrounds and experiences influence communication, and developed strategies for navigating stress, conflict, and change. Week by week, they built confidence. And by supporting one another, they built community.

We couldn’t have done this alone. This program was made possible by partners who believe deeply in what stability can do for a person, a workplace, and a community.

• Flower Memorial Library provided a welcoming space where investigators could reflect, learn, and connect.
• Volunteer Transportation Center helped ensure everyone could get to and from the workshop, a critical resource when transportation is a barrier.
• MVP Health Care and Community Bank invested in this inaugural Workplace edition because they understand that a stable workforce strengthens the entire region.

Together, these partners helped create a supportive environment where growth could truly happen.

As we prepare for our first Getting Ahead in the Workplace graduation, we couldn’t be more proud of this incredible group of investigators. Their courage to reflect, learn, and support one another has set a powerful foundation for what this work can mean in the North Country.

And this is only the beginning.

Want to help others get ahead in the workplace?

As we prepare for the next Getting Ahead in the Workplace cohort launching in spring 2026, we invite employers, community groups, faith organizations, and partners across the North Country to join us in this work. There are many meaningful ways to get involved:

• Provide a venue for a future cohort
• Refer employees or community members who would benefit from the program
• Sponsor a cohort or underwrite participant costs
• Sponsor a weekly meal to help create a welcoming, community-building environment
• Help purchase workbooks or program materials
• Partner with us to support workers facing instability

If you’re interested in strengthening your workforce, supporting under-resourced individuals, or helping build a more stable community, we would love to connect.

📩 Contact: dawn.cole@unitedway-nny.org
📞 Phone: 315-755-1422

Together, we can build a stronger, more stable North Country for everyone.