Our 2020 updates, recovery post-COVID-19, upcoming events, and more!
Dear <<First Name>>,
We’re grappling with a global health crisis, an economic downturn, and a reckoning with systemic racism—and UpGlo is working hard to meet the moment with several new initiatives:
A free public portalthat offers our most popular job preparation resources to help unemployed Americans get back on their feet, launched with support from Salesforce.org.
Ahealthcare connection program to support an equitable healthcare response, and ensure that immigrant healthcare professionals can contribute lifesaving skills to fight COVID-19.
A commitmentto building resilience and inclusion in our workforce as we reopen our economy, including a focus on high-demand skill training and a head-on effort to expand economic opportunity by reducing barriers to employment, helping immigrants as well as people of color.
As we work to meet challenges and change systems, our efforts continue to transform individual lives. Here is a snapshot of our 2020 impact to date:
This work is powered by a dedicated UpGlo family. I’m pleased to introduceJennie Murray, who just started as Vice President of Programs. Before joining UpGlo, Jennie developed and led the New American Workforce at the National Immigration Forum and formed and led the Corporate Roundtable. We are thrilled to have her on board.
Along with Rebecca Neuwirth, who joined as Vice President of Advancement in March, we now have a complete executive leadership team ready to help UpGlo navigate current challenges and set a course to scale our work and impact at this crucial time.
Read about what we’ve accomplished together in the UpDate below. Thank you for continuing to be a part of our work and mission.
Jina Krause-Vilmar
President & CEO
Helping Chicago Fight COVID
“It was so frustrating to sit on the sidelines while I watched the virus hit this city. I knew I could help.”
Abimbola was a physician in her native Nigeria before finding a new home in Chicago—but the move meant a long road to relicense as a doctor. She connected with UpGlo to find a different way to support the frontline fight against COVID. She now works as a contact tracer in Illinois. “I’m thankful for an opportunity to give back—and to take a step forward in my journey to rebuild my career here.”
Learn moreabout our efforts to connect people like Abimbola with employers who need their skills.
Skilling a Future-Ready Recovery
Rebuilding our economy will require the resilience and contributions of all workers. UpGlo is proud to be among a select group of nonprofit partners working with Microsoft to catalyze an inclusive global recovery. Read more about this ambitious program to get 25 million people—especially women, immigrants, and people from low-income communities—back on their feet.
UpGlo will connect job seekers with Microsoft and other select partnersto gain high-demand skills and credentials as part of our commitment to building a future-ready workforce. If you know an immigrant or refugee professional who would benefit from our services, share our application.
Championing Diversity: Save the Date
As companies navigate COVID-19 and chart a path to the next normal, inclusion and racial justice can be built into the DNA of their recovery strategies.
Upwardly Global teamed up with Accenture and World Education Services to convene 25 corporate partners in a series of 45+ interviews and two intensive design sessions on how to foster inclusion with a focus on immigrants and refugees as we navigate remote work, pivot towards recovery, and identify the skills needed for future innovation.
We are excited to share what we’ve learned and to engage new partners in moving this work forward. Register now to join us on July 17 at 4pm EST for a first read-out session. Visit our websitefor materials and initial takeaways.
Building a Stronger America For All: Join Us
UpGlo will celebrate 20 years of impact on October 28—and we want you to join us (virtually!). Co-chaired by Tony Goncalves, CEO of WarnerMedia’s Otter Media and head of HBO Max, along with UpGlo’s Board leaders, our Building a Stronger America for Allcampaign and event will highlight the voices and stories of immigrants and refugees who have contributed to our nation’s COVID-19 response, economy, and communities. Save the date, spread the word, and consider coming on board as an early sponsor. Details here.
UpGlo Making Headlines
Upwardly Global continues to shape a new narrative about the ways that immigrants and refugees are contributing to our nation’s COVID-19 response. Check out recent press hits: