ANCHORWorks
Increasing stability through opportunity
Housing can certainly provide stability to individuals and families. But job training and employment play an important role in ensuring our neighbors remain stable in their housing.
That's why ANCHOR launched ANCHORWorks, a collection of nonprofit, purpose-powered workforce development programs providing life skills, job training, peer support, and case management services for individuals facing barriers to employment. These programs help open doors to meaningful work across the Carolina Core.
The Big Picture
ANCHORWorks creates paid, supportive employment for veterans, young adults without postsecondary credentials, low-income job seekers, and those re-entering the job market.
ANCHORWorks was built upon three core principles:
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Stability comes first. Before a participant can focus on employment or long-term goals, immediate needs like housing (many ANCHORWorks participants are initially unhoused), childcare, transportation, food access, and health must be addressed. ANCHORWorks helps identify barriers and make connections to resources that help stabilize people’s day-to-day lives
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Everyone has strengths. Through one-on-one coaching, participants set their own goals, build on their existing skills, and create individualized plans for progress.
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Opportunity should be accessible. ANCHORWorks collaborates with community partners, training providers, and employers across the Carolina Core to bring local opportunities directly to participants.
Partnering for Impact
ANCHORWorks partners with these agencies and others to make these programs possible for neighbors in our community:
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How It Works
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Eligible candidates are referred to ANCHORWorks from partnering agencies. (It is not currently possible to apply directly for ANCHORWorks programs.) This step maximizes resources by ensuring that candidates have been pre-screened to meet qualifications.
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Qualifying candidates are connected with housing, case management support, and other relevant services.
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Participants join a program cohort for vocational training and licensure, during which they earn a salary and benefits.
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Upon program completion, most participants are offered an apprenticeship, a market-rate job, or job placement assistance. Some participants choose to start their own business.
ANCHORCleans provides spotless facilities services while opening doors to meaningful work for neighbors in our community. The program pairs professional, OSHA-compliant cleaning and maintenance with paid training, case management, and career pathways in facilities maintenance and janitorial services.
Participants receive foundational workforce readiness training in customer service, workplace professionalism, OSHA safety, and industry best practices. Through supervised, real-world experience, trainees develop the skills and confidence needed to deliver high-quality janitorial and facility support services to commercial, nonprofit, and public-sector clients.
Hire ANCHORCleans for your facility needs!
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Commercial janitorial services
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Office and common area cleaning
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Floor care and maintenance
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Restroom sanitization and restocking
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Trash and recycling management
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Post-construction cleanup
Contact Adrienne by email or call her at call 336-765-3906, x 1011 for more information about hiring ANCHORCleans for your workspace.
ANCHORCooks is the culinary workforce development pathway for ANCHORWorks, designed to prepare individuals for employment and entrepreneurship opportunities in the food service industry. Through Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, participants receive industry-relevant training that equips them with the knowledge, skills, and certifications needed to succeed in commercial kitchens, food service operations, catering, and mobile food businesses.
ANCHORCooks training includes:
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Food safety and sanitation
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ServSafe certification preparation
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Food handling and storage procedures
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Customer service excellence
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Cash handling and point-of-sale systems
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Menu preparation and production
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Food truck operations
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Workplace readiness and professional development
Looking for a caterer or food service worker? Contact Adrienne by email or call her at call 336-765-3906, x 1011 for more information about hiring ANCHORCooks or a program graduate.
ANCHORBuilds is the newest of the ANCHORWorks programs and is still in development. The vision for this program is to train participants in construction skills. Graduates can then be hired by ANCHOR and our associates to assist in property rehabilitation and development projects across the affordable housing ecosystem and beyond.
ANCHORBuilds training will include:
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Hands-on construction and rehabilitation: Developing practical skills in demolition, framing, drywall installation, painting, flooring, and basic repairs through supervised, on-the-job training.
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Building maintenance and safety: Learning to use tools and equipment safely, follow OSHA standards, identify property maintenance needs, and understand basic building codes and construction practices.
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Professional skills and job readiness: Building experience in teamwork, communication, problem-solving, project planning, and workplace accountability while learning to meet industry expectations and prepare for long-term employment.
Partner with ANCHORWorks to help make ANCHORBuilds a reality. Contact Adrienne by email or call her at call 336-765-3906, x 1011.
ANCHORPeers utilizes the evidence-based Peer Support model to train Peer Support Specialists who assist individuals navigating mental health challenges, substance use recovery, and other life transitions. Through shared experiences, peer guidance, coping strategies, personal growth, and accountability, participants learn to help others navigate barriers, strengthen their well-being, and pursue meaningful employment. ANCHORPeers empowers individuals to transform their lived experiences into a source of strength, connection, and hope, equipping them to support others on their journeys toward recovery, stability, and personal success.
Sponsor an ANCHORPeers participant and increase the number of trained Peer Support Specialists in our community. Contact Al Thomas by email to learn more.