ANCHORWorks: Building Pathways to Opportunity

Introducing ANCHORWorks: Building Pathways to Stability, Opportunity, and Economic Mobility

At ANCHOR, our mission has always been rooted in one simple and straight-forward belief: Housing is the foundation from which everything else grows. A safe, stable home is the first step toward health, opportunity, and a thriving, equitable community.

But we also know that long-term stability requires more than housing alone. Families need access to employment, training, financial tools, and supportive relationships that help them build the future they envision.

This is why we launched ANCHORWorks Facilities Services, a workforce and economic mobility initiative created specifically to support residents and community members on their path toward greater stability and self-sufficiency.

What Is ANCHORWorks?

ANCHORWorks is a community-centered workforce development program that provides direct support to individuals and families living in and around ANCHOR communities. It bridges the gap between housing and economic opportunity by offering on-the-job training, personalized coaching, skills training, employment connections, and supportive services that meet team members where they are.

The program was built on three core principles:

1. Stability comes first. Before a participant can focus on employment or long-term goals, immediate needs like 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.

2. Everyone has strengths. Through one-on-one coaching, participants set their own goals, build on their existing skills, and create individualized plans for progress.

3. Opportunity should be accessible. ANCHORWorks collaborates with employers, training providers, and community partners across the Carolina Core to bring local opportunities directly to participants.

What ANCHORWorks Offers

1. On-the-Job Training and Employment in Custodial Services

A cornerstone of ANCHORWorks is its custodial workforce development track, operated through ANCHORWorks Facilities Services program. This pathway provides direct, paid, on-the-job training for participants who want immediate employment and room for advancement. The program includes:

• Living-wage employment from Day One

• Full family medical insurance

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• Hands-on custodial and facilities skills training and certifications

• Clear leadership and promotional pathways, including team lead and supervisory roles

• Opportunities for long-term growth, including cross-training with maintenance, property management, and facility operations

• Supportive coaching to build professional confidence and long-term career stability

This model reduces barriers for program participants who need income immediately while creating a sustainable career pipeline that nurtures leadership, advancement, and self-sufficiency.

2. Career Navigation and Job Placement

Residents receive personalized support exploring careers, updating resumes, preparing for interviews, and strengthening professional skills. The program partners with employers who are committed to hiring locally and building equitable pathways to stable, living-wage work.

3. Education and Training Pathways

From short-term certifications to digital literacy to leadership development, ANCHORWorks connects residents to training providers who prepare them for in-demand jobs in healthcare, logistics, trades, hospitality, early childhood education, and more.

4. Financial Coaching and Goal Setting

Money management, budgeting, credit-building, debt reduction, and long-term planning are essential to financial stability. Residents meet with coaches who help them set achievable goals and track their progress.

5. Supportive Services and Resource Navigation

Because life does not pause for job training or career changes, ANCHORWorks stays connected to participants at every step. The program helps with referrals for childcare, food assistance, transportation support, mental health resources, and other community-based services that strengthen long-term stability.

6. Community Connections and Peer Support

Programs, workshops, and group events help residents build relationships, develop leadership skills, and strengthen community ties. Residents become part of a supportive network that celebrates progress and fosters belonging.

Why ANCHORWorks Matters

The need for supportive workforce development is growing across the Carolinas. Rising housing costs, wage stagnation, and limited access to training create barriers that can hold families back for generations.

But when residents have access to stable housing and opportunities to build skills, the outcomes are transformative:

• Parents secure stable employment.

• Seniors gain renewed independence through financial stability and community support.

• Young adults discover career paths they did not know existed.

• Households increase savings and reduce debt.

• Communities become stronger and more resilient.

ANCHORWorks reflects our belief that housing and opportunity must move together. When residents thrive, neighborhoods thrive. When families succeed, the entire region benefits.

How to Get Involved

As the program grows, ANCHOR is seeking partnerships with employers, training providers, local colleges, community organizations, and volunteers who want to support our program participants on their journey.

Whether you are a business looking to hire local talent, a community partner offering services, or someone who simply wants to contribute to a stronger, more equitable region, there is a place for you in ANCHORWorks.

If you or someone you know is interested in enrolling, please contact our team at Anumaworse@anchornc.org. We are here to help every step of the way.

Our Commitment

ANCHORWorks is more than a program. It is a promise.

A promise to invest in people.

A promise to support families.

A promise to help every community member build a future filled with possibility.

At ANCHOR, we build communities. We create homes.

Through ANCHORWorks, we help residents build the future they deserve.