Greetings from Return to Roots!

This month, Return to Roots brings you news about regional job fair information, events we think you might be interested in, and exciting updates about the Return to Roots program. We are also continuing to update and optimize our website, making it more user-friendly for both businesses and job-seekers.

As of this past month, we have approximately 2,000 registrants! We have Return to Roots registrants from 35 states, including most predominantly Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and California.  Visitors to the website come from all 50 states and Washington, D.C. and also represent 68 countries including Malaysia , Philippines and Canada . This month alone, the Return to Roots website welcomed 1,700 absolute unique viewers to the site.

We have 586 registered employers, and 73 registered jobs. We are contacting job-seekers each week to see how their search is going, and how we can improve the website to serve you better.  Our website optimization process is bringing more visitors and registrants to our website every day.

Please remember to update your profile information and post your updated resume! Employers are constantly posting and updating posts, so it is imperative that you keep your information up to date!

Return to Roots Gala 2008

The Second Annual 2008 Return to Roots Fundraising Gala that took place on September 18, 2008 was a huge success.  We enjoyed live entertainment from the band “Franklin & Baytop” while having cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at the newly renovated Bristol Train Station.  After the wonderful five-star meal provided by The Troutdale, we were pleased to present our featured guest speakers Governor Timothy Kaine and one of our Return to Roots success stories, Jason Kiser, among others.

The Return to Roots Fundraising Gala truly jump-started our efforts to raise the $75,000 needed as matching funds for a Tobacco Commission grant awarded on July 31, 2008. If you or someone you know wishes to continue to support our efforts, click here to see how you can become involved.  Contributions can be made through the Return to Roots website at www.ReturntoRoots.org, or contact Carl Mitchell at 540.731.6800 for more information.

For those of you unable to attend this year’s event, we invite you to consider sharing a special evening with us at our Third Annual Return to Roots Fundraising Gala next year!

View Gala Photos

Virginia’s Great Southwest

Are you or someone you know returning to Virginia’s Great Southwest?  Be sure to visit www.swvaonline.org. This website provides information for locals, tourists, visitors and for newcomers relocating to Southwest Virginia.

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 applied for a position, received an interview,or been hired through the Return to Roots  program since registering with us.If you have a success story, please email Shai Cullop, Program Manager, cmitchell@vebinc.org.

Upcoming Career Fairs

Career Pathways Opportunity Showcase

Date: November 13, 2008,  12:00-2:00PM
Location: Southwest Virginia Community College, King Community Center Gymnasium
Route 19 (6 miles south of Claypool Hill intersection of Rte. 19 &460) Cedar Bluff, VA 24609
Sponsored by: Southwest Virginia Community College and Southwest Virginia Career Pathways/Tech Prep Consortium
Event Objective:  Students will be introduced to regional career and educational pathways leading to high skill, high demand and/or high wage employment.

Community College Career Connection of Southwest Virginia

Date: November 20, 2008, 9AM-1PM
Location: Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, Abingdon, VA 24212
Co-sponsored by: SVCC, Virginia Highlands Community College, Mountain Empire Community College, Wytheville Community College

Southwest Virginia Career Connection                

Date: Wed., March 25, 2009, 9AM-1PM
Location: Southwest Virginia Community College, King Community Center Gymnasium
Route 19 (6 miles south of Claypool Hill intersection of Rte. 19 &460) Cedar Bluff, VA
Sponsored by: Southwest Virginia Community College, Southwest Small Business Development Center, Mountain Empire Community College and Virginia Highlands Community College

Bluefield State Job Fair

Date: April 8, 2009
Location: BSC, Rt. 52, Bluefield, WV 24701
Co-Sponsored by: Bluefield State College, Bluefield College, Concord  College, New River Community and Technical College, Southwest Virginia Community College and Wytheville Community College   

Interstate Career Fair

Date: April 16, 2009
Location: Holiday Inn, Exit 7/Interstate 81, Bristol, VA

For more information about the career fairs:

http://www.sw.edu/career/events/Career%20Fairs/career_fairs.asp,

email sharon.peery@sw.edu or call 276.964.7544.