SPOKANE, WA: The Spokane Workforce Council (SWC) funds and directs the WorkSource System in Spokane, including WorkSource Spokane, the Spokane Resource Center, the Next Generation Zone and the Talent Solutions Center, which collectively are known as the Spokane WorkSource Campus. Due to the social distancing measures necessary to slow the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak in our community, the SWC has closed the campus to customers. However, the SWC and campus staff have been working to maintain service delivery for those in need in our community. See below for information about how to access virtual services from each site on our campus. This notice will be updated periodically as changes occur.
April 7 update: Click here to view the StrongerTogetherSpokane page, with links to resources for businesses and job seekers.
June 26 update: As the COVID-19 outbreak continues and our community remains in Phase 2 of the Governor’s re-opening plan, our campus remains closed to customers. However, we are putting plans in place for re-opening. Click here to view the WorkSource Spokane Campus Re-Opening Plan
WorkSource Spokane: Our team is working rapidly to increase online resources, including re-working workshop offerings so that they can be accessed online. Visit www.worksourcespokane.com to find out more. Our team is also available to assist local workers affected by business closures or loss of hours to connect to their unemployment insurance benefits and answer other questions. We are standing by to take calls at (509) 532-3120. We are also gathering feedback from workers who have been affected, and the SWC is taking part in conversations at the state level about policies and resources that can help our local workers weather this storm.
June 26 update: Visit https://worksourcespokane.com/covid-19 to access a list of businesses that are currently hiring as well as other resources, updated weekly.
July 1 update: Our virtual workshops catalog continues to expand, including the recent addition of Assessments and E3: The Mindset of Success Sneak Peak. Access all virtual workshops here: https://worksourcespokane.com/workshops/virtual-workshops
Spokane Resource Center: The Spokane Resource Center brings community resources together in one place to help people in our community achieve stable housing and overcome barriers when facing unexpected challenges. That mission is more important than ever during the COVID-19 crisis. Although our doors are not physically open, our teams are still on-site, ready to make referrals and help connect those in need with available community resources. Call us at 509-867-8188.
March 23 update: We have compiled a list of available community resources, including meal sites, wifi hotspot locations, housing information, and more on our special COVID-19 web page. Visit https://spokaneresourcecenter.org/covid-19 to find out more.
July 15 update: The Spokane Workforce Council has been working hard to obtain funding to enable the SRC to serve those in need. We are pleased to announce that the City of Spokane has awarded us a grant to provide rental assistance to SRC customers, and implementation of that grant is beginning immediately. Call the SRC at 509-867-8188 for more information.
August 18 update: The City of Spokane has voted to award us additional CARES Act funds to support housing and rental assistance for residents of the city of Spokane. Application materials are available on the Spokane Resource Center website, or call 509-867-8188.
Next Generation Zone: During mandatory school closure, our team is working to connect students to resources available through our area school districts, and our GED classroom is utilizing technology to make online classes available to our students. Updates are being posted on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NextGenZoneSpokane.
April 14 update: Online GED preparation classes are now live on Next Generation Zone’s virtual classroom.
June 3 update: The SWC identified funding that would allow Next Gen Zone staff to purchase tablets and mifi hotspots that can be checked out by students who do not have computer/internet access at home.
June 30 update: Despite the many setbacks this spring, virtual GED prep classes and testing were a huge success, and we are proud to report that 128 students graduated through our program this year. Congrats grads!
Talent Solutions: Many businesses are facing difficult decisions about temporary closures, furloughs, layoffs, and more. We have resources available to help businesses navigate, including the Shared Work program and other state programs. We also recognize that some sectors, including healthcare, grocery, and shipping, are short-staffed and looking to hire. If your business is hiring, we can connect you to qualified workers, fast. In either case, let our team help yours – reach out to us at (509) 532-3186 or visit https://worksourcespokane.com/covid-19/business-resources.
June 15 update: The Talent Solutions team is supporting businesses in the process of reopening by creating Spokane-centric and industry-specific return-to-work guides. Recognizing that many companies are still working remotely, the team has also created virtual tutorials for conducting business remotely, including: tips for moving your business online; Zoom trainings; and information about recruiting, hiring, and managing remotely. One-on-one business consulting is also available for any business that wants additional help in gaining a competitive edge in today’s online world. Visit the virtual offerings page to learn more.
For community members, organizations and businesses that want to help reach those in need during this time, the SWC can rapidly deploy funding, goods and services. We are accepting cash donations, technology donations (phones, tablets, and computers are a huge need), food, and more. If you would like to contribute, please visit our donation page at https://spokaneworkforce.org/donate-now/ , and we will ensure your donations reach people in need in our community.