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Greetings from Return to Roots!Return to Roots Announced as a Top 50 Innovation in Government by Harvard University RADFORD, Va., April 1, 2009- Earlier today, the Return to Roots program, a Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission funded project managed by Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc., was announced as one of the top 50 finalists for Innovations in American Government Awards judged by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Return to Roots was selected as a top program from an extensive field of 600 applicants that underwent rigorous rounds of evaluation by policy experts and practitioners from across the country. The Top 50 programs include 21 cities and towns, six counties, one school district, 11 states, nine federal agencies, one tribal government, and one regional authority. The Innovations in American Government Awards was created by the Ford Foundation in 1985 in response to widespread pessimism and distrust in government’s effectiveness. The awards program acts as a significant force in restoring public trust in government by promoting public sector creativity and excellence. Competing programs demonstrate innovative solutions within a host of policy areas including health and social services; management and governance; community and economic development; education and training; criminal justice; transportation and infrastructure; and the environment. Since its inception, over 400 government programs across all jurisdiction levels have been recognized and have collectively received more than $20 million in grants to support dissemination efforts. “Being selected for this award by Harvard University is a testament to the importance of a program like Return to Roots that works closely with the state to support economic success,” said Carl Mitchell, Program Manager for Return to Roots and President & CEO of Virginia Economic Bridge. “The national recognition received by Return to Roots as a result of its services is a part of the driving force behind our continued efforts in Southwestern Virginia, our newfound endeavors within Southern Virginia, and our desires to see this program become implemented statewide.” Return to Roots is bringing people back to Southwest Virginia, even though unemployment numbers have been disappointing. Allen Thiel, of CGI; Jim Reiley, of Mountain Empire Community College; and Kendall Edmiston, of Mailtrust, are all recent successes that were attracted to the Return to Roots website because of the local job postings and helpful regional information. Their experience with the website and program resulted in them now living and working in the region. The Return to Roots program has made great strides in recruiting back and retaining the Commonwealth’s highly trained graduates within Virginia. Currently, Return to Roots is reaching out to educational institutions across the state of Virginia to request their assistance in the search for alumni. A single organization cannot hope to achieve broad accomplishments on its own, and Return to Roots works to build a larger network within Virginia to reach out to former and potential residents of Virginia. Return to Roots locates former and potential Southwest Virginia residents and brings them to their roots for career opportunities. The program operates primarily through the website www.ReturnToRoots.org to inform them about employment opportunities available in Southwest Virginia. Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. is a nonprofit organization that promotes the economic vitality and external competitiveness of the Commonwealth through business, industry and educational partnerships between Southwestern Virginia, Northern Virginia and other regions of the Commonwealth. Value driven, innovative and efficient, Virginia Economic Bridge, Inc. defines success and gives organizations and businesses the tools necessary to cultivate new possibilities at a price they can afford. The Roy and Lila Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation advances excellence in governance and strengthens democratic institutions worldwide. Through its research, education, international programs, and government innovations awards, the Institute fosters creative and effective government problem solving and serves as a catalyst for addressing many of the most pressing needs of the world’s citizens. Asia Programs, a school-wide initiative integrating Asia-related activities, joined the Ash Institute in July 2008. The Ford Foundation is a founding donor of the Institute. Additional information about the Ash Institute is available at www.ashinstitute.harvard.edu. | |
Software Developer Lands Job Back HomeAfter years of living as a resident of the West Coast, Jim Reiley joined his family in Southwest Virginia through a job offer with Mountain Empire Community College (MECC). Reiley began working with MECC in late January of this year after successfully applying to the job opportunity through the Return to Roots website. Working on a National Science Foundation grant for increasing and improving the mathematics education in high school and colleges in Southwest Virginia, Reiley will serve as the Project Director for the MATH PAYS project. With his unique background, Reiley has extensive experience as both a computer software developer as well as a practicing naturopathic physician. Reiley first heard about the Return to Roots website from his wife’s uncle who lives in Tazewell, and decided to register on the site in order to find a job near his family. Aside from his relatives in Tazewell, Reiley’s daughter and grandson live in Bristol, as well as his mother-in-law and others in Grundy. In addition to the benefits of being near family, Reiley said the people are pleasant and that “life is simpler and slower-paced.” Reiley found the Return to Roots website easy to navigate. He simply looked at the list of available jobs and applied for those that sounded like a good match. After most recently living in Connecticut, Reiley now lives right outside of Southwest Virginia in Bristol, Tenn., where he is putting his 20-some years of experience in software development, research and college instruction to use. For more information on the Return to Roots program, visit www.ReturntoRoots.org. Send Us Your Success Stories!We are continuously looking for success stories to feature on our website. We would love to hear from you if you have interviewed or hired anyone from the Return to Roots program since registering with us.If you have a success story, please email Carl Mitchell, Program Manager, cmitchell@vebinc.org. A Message for All Current Registered Employers: In the coming months Return to Roots will begin moving from being a grant sponsored to a self sustainable program. The implementation of this transformation will occur over the course of the next few months with the goal of adhering to the needs of our current and future customers. We at RTR want to emphasis that we will continue to uphold our mission of serving the communities, people and employers of Southwestern Virginia. We feel such goals can be more efficiently met if we further develop our services with your input and assistance. Will you help us by voluntarily participating in this brief 5 minute survey? Click here to access survey. |
Virginia’s Great Southwest |
 For contributing $250.00, you can become a member of the “Purple Shirt Brigade.” Below are some of the marketing benefits that stem from a $250 contribution: Your logo will be featured on a separate 2009 Purple Shirt Brigade page on the Return to Roots website. It will be included on a Purple Shirt Brigade PowerPoint slide in the Return to Roots presentation that we will be delivering to every chamber and civic organization throughout the 21 counties and cities included in the Return to Roots region. You will be acknowledged at the Return to Roots Executive Committee and Strategic Partners Meetings (comprised of 50 local business/civic leaders) during our updates each six weeks. Lastly, you will receive a Return to Roots “Purple Shirt Brigade” Purple Long Sleeved T-Shirt. To become a member, you can make check payable to: |
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Upcoming Career FairsNew River Valley Job Fair Expo Bluefield State Job Fair Interstate Career Fair |
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A series of entrepreneurial business and management workshops are being held across Virginia to assist new business startups and existing small businesses! Admission is free to all events. Please check the dates and locations section of this site for a list of dates and venues where this workshop will be held. You may register for the workshop you wish to attend by clicking the registration link under the desired workshop on the Dates and Locations page and by completing the registration form. Please note advance registration is required to attend. Wythe/Bland
Growing Sales SeminarAttention Southwest Virginia Business Owners/Community Leaders For more information and to register, visit www.vastartup.org/sellva/aprilcrossroadsevent.pdf. “JobQuest” Broadcasts Good News, Optimism(Roanoke, Va.)—“JobQuest” shared a dose of good news and optimism with Blue Ridge PBS viewers on March 17, as the popular employment advice and information program returned for its third monthly primetime episode. Duncan Adams, a Roanoke Times reporter who covers economic development and manufacturing, helped start the show with news about area businesses like Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Co., which recently announced an expansion of its plant in Galax. Adams said Robatel, a French company, is establishing a U.S. subsidiary in Roanoke where it will create up to two dozen engineering and project management positions. Additionally, Adams said both Verizon and Wachovia have been hiring call center workers. Sixty new jobs openings were also highlighted during the show including a church pianist in Roanoke, fork lift operator in Abingdon, chef in Lynchburg, cake decorator in Floyd, chiropractic assistant in the New River Valley, customer service coordinator in Covington, and a warehouse supervisor in Danville. “We’ve made an extra effort to find open positions in communities across the Blue Ridge PBS region,” said James Baum, station President and CEO. “It’s amazing what a variety of jobs are available and we’re encouraged to know that ‘JobQuest’ is helping connect job hunters with potential employers.” According to Tabatha Rosen, General Manager of Bright Services, the company has had a lot of applicants who heard about job openings while watching “JobQuest.” Some have already been placed in full-time positions. "As a professional, full service staffing company, we encourage our job seekers to take advantage of information available through programs like ‘JobQuest,’” Rosen added. “When applicants are more informed and better prepared, it's much easier to place them in a new job. ‘JobQuest’ is a great resource for job hunters and employers in our region." So far “JobQuest” has alerted viewers to 170 job vacancies in the Blue Ridge region and provided valuable suggestions to help shorten the job search. Once again, toll-free phone lines were open and the “JobQuest” chat room was busy—all staffed by volunteers from the Roanoke Valley Society for Human Resource Management. Hundreds of people have called in during the first three episodes. Most asked questions about jobs that have been featured on the program. Others just wanted someone to talk with about their unemployment hardships. Roanoke-based CBS affiliate WDBJ7, a “JobQuest” partner, provided Brent Watts and Hollani Davis as hosts of the show. Serving as guest job readers during the program were Sam Lionberger, CEO Lionberger Construction Company; Richard Flora, Craig County Administrator; Eric Earnhart, Media & Community Relations Director for Carilion Health System; Carl Mitchell, Program Manager for Return to Roots; Leah Coffman, Administrative Officer for Workforce Development and Career Services at Virginia Western Community College; and Ray Smoot University Treasurer and Chief Operating Officer/Secretary Treasurer for the Virginia Tech Foundation. “JobQuest” continues April 14 at 7 p.m. with another live, information-packed broadcast. Visit www.blueridgepbs.org for help contacting the “JobQuest” team, a calendar of events, resume tips, links, and job listings highlighted during the show. Source: Blue Ridge PBS |
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