Eckerd Connects

Directions Website Contact the organization

Eckerd Connects Eckerd Connects is a national non-profit organization.

Will AI eliminate the first rung on the career ladder for young people? Nobody knows exactly how AI will reshape work. B...
10/15/2026

Will AI eliminate the first rung on the career ladder for young people?

Nobody knows exactly how AI will reshape work. But too many young people are already struggling to find a path into the workforce—and paid, purposeful service can help.

Service gives young people opportunities to solve real problems, build practical skills, earn credentials, and connect to careers while strengthening their communities.

In his new Fortune op-ed, our President and CEO Michael D. Smith makes the case for investing in service as a workforce strategy that develops both talent and the next generation of leaders.

How can we better connect service to career opportunities for young people?

Read Michael’s piece: https://brnw.ch/21x6rlX

Congratulations to Roy Funes, Eckerd Connects’ Osceola Prevention Program Manager, on graduating from Leadership Osceola...
10/15/2026

Congratulations to Roy Funes, Eckerd Connects’ Osceola Prevention Program Manager, on graduating from Leadership Osceola! 🎓👏

Through this community leadership program, Roy strengthened his leadership skills, built valuable relationships with local leaders and gained new perspectives that can help deepen Eckerd Connects’ connections throughout Osceola County.

Those relationships are especially important to our Prevention Services team, which works alongside schools, families and community partners to help young people build skills, strengthen protective factors and thrive.

We’re proud of Roy for investing in his own growth while continuing to look for new ways to strengthen the work we do for children and families.

Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, Roy!

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Troy Roland!For Operations Director Troy Roland, good leadership begins with recogni...
10/09/2026

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Troy Roland!

For Operations Director Troy Roland, good leadership begins with recognizing that everyone matters—participants, coworkers and partners alike.

Troy is our Q2 Heart of the Wheel Award winner in the Workforce Development category, recognizing employees whose service and leadership make a meaningful difference for others.

During more than five years with Eckerd Connects, Troy has helped lead workforce programs across multiple states while placing particular importance on developing and supporting other leaders.

💬 “The ability to develop other leaders is an awesome responsibility, and it makes work fun,” Troy shared.

His nominator, Jason Millin, experienced that leadership firsthand:

💙 “He never made me feel like I worked beneath him. He made me feel like I mattered.”

Troy says he was surprised by the recognition and is especially grateful when he looks at what his teams have accomplished together.

đź‘Ź Congratulations, Troy, and thank you for leading with compassion, humility and a commitment to helping others succeed!

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Marie Watkins!For 34 years, Marie Watkins has been part of the Candor Boys Residenti...
10/08/2026

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Marie Watkins!

For 34 years, Marie Watkins has been part of the Candor Boys Residential Academy family. As Kitchen Supervisor, she makes sure youth receive nutritious meals—but her impact reaches far beyond the kitchen.

Marie is our Q2 Heart of the Wheel Award winner in the Children & Family Services category. The award recognizes Eckerd Connects team members who bring our values to life through their work.

Known as “Ma Marie,” she makes special treats and graduation care packages, supports staff through difficult times and even became Therapeutic Crisis Intervention-certified so she could help mentor youth when they need additional support.

💙 “Something as simple as a meal can make a young person feel cared for and remind them that someone is thinking about their well-being,” Marie shared.

Her nominator, Matthew Sullivan, calls her “a foundational piece of our campus” who sees her work not simply as a job, but as a calling.

đź‘Ź Congratulations, Marie, and thank you for 34 remarkable years of service!

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Robert Ruiz!As an Admissions Counselor at the Laredo Job Corps Campus, Robert Ruiz i...
10/07/2026

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Robert Ruiz!

As an Admissions Counselor at the Laredo Job Corps Campus, Robert Ruiz is often one of the first people prospective students meet—and he takes that responsibility to heart.

For nearly five years, Roberto has helped young adults discover the opportunities available to them through Job Corps. He’s also known across campus as someone who readily steps in when students, coworkers or other departments need an extra hand.
Nominator Jose R. Leyva III shared:

💬 “You start to notice the difference when an employee steps up to help without excuses—and still maintains that positive energy.”

Robert says he never expected his career to lead him to working with students, but today he wouldn’t have it any other way.

💙 “Now, this is the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. Maybe this is what I was supposed to do.”

Robert embodies the Heart of the Wheel—living our values and making a difference for students and coworkers. Congratulations on being awarded our Q2 Heart of the Wheel Award winner in the Jobs & Training category!

Every graduation represents more than completing a program. It represents time, commitment, growth—and a decision to kee...
10/06/2026

Every graduation represents more than completing a program. It represents time, commitment, growth—and a decision to keep moving forward.

Today, we’re celebrating a graduate of Eckerd Connects’ Parenting Education Program in Brevard County, Florida, and the work she put in to strengthen her skills, build confidence and create an even stronger foundation for her family.

Our free nine-week program provides parents navigating substance use treatment and recovery with clinical support, education and practical tools to strengthen parent-child relationships and create safe, nurturing environments.

And she’s part of a growing community: More than 80 parents completed the program last year, each taking meaningful steps for themselves and their families.

Congratulations on this important milestone. We’re proud to celebrate how far you’ve come—and all that lies ahead.

Parenting doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but most of us can remember someone who helped us along the way. Who taught you something about being a parent that has stayed with you?

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Rebecca Bryan!As Eckerd Connects’ Payroll & Benefit Specialist, Rebecca Bryan knows ...
10/06/2026

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Rebecca Bryan!

As Eckerd Connects’ Payroll & Benefit Specialist, Rebecca Bryan knows the small details can make a big difference.

Rebecca is our Q2 Heart of the Wheel Award winner in the Corporate category. The award recognizes team members who bring Eckerd Connects’ values to life through their work.

For 5½ years, Rebecca has helped ensure employees receive accurate, timely payroll and benefits support while proactively identifying and resolving issues.

Her nominator, Albrenna Richardson-Wilson, describes Rebecca as “an outstanding and trusted partner who consistently demonstrates accuracy, accountability and a strong commitment to serving employees.”

Rebecca says the impact of that behind-the-scenes work is what means the most to her:

💙 “I take great pride in ensuring employees are paid accurately and on time so they can focus on the important work they do serving our youth, families and communities.”

Congratulations, Rebecca, and thank you for helping support the people who make our mission possible!

From Minimum Wage to a Career in Nursing—Logen’s Journey is Just Beginning At 23, Logen had the ambition and the work et...
10/06/2026

From Minimum Wage to a Career in Nursing—Logen’s Journey is Just Beginning

At 23, Logen had the ambition and the work ethic. What she needed was help removing financial and transportation barriers that could have stood between her and a career in nursing.

When she connected with the Missouri Job Center, operated by Eckerd Connects, she was working a minimum-wage job while pursuing her nursing education. With support from WIOA and guidance from her Career Coach, Logen received assistance with tuition and travel costs, allowing her to stay focused on her goals.

That hard work paid off.

In December 2025, Logen earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential and secured full-time employment at Royal Oaks Hospital, increasing her earnings to $36 per hour.

Now, she's taking the next step. As she continues working, Logen is on track to complete her Registered Nurse (RN) program this December, opening the door to even greater opportunities.

That’s what effective workforce development can do: remove barriers, support continued learning, and create a pathway to greater economic mobility.

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Walid!As a Career Coach with Eckerd Connects Denver Workforce, Walid Al Ani is passi...
10/05/2026

🌟 Meet Q2 Heart of the Wheel Winner Walid!

As a Career Coach with Eckerd Connects Denver Workforce, Walid Al Ani is passionate about helping people recognize their strengths, overcome barriers and move toward meaningful employment.

Walid is our Q2 Heart of the Wheel Award winner in the Workforce Development category. The award recognizes Eckerd Connects team members who bring our values to life through their work.

One participant he is especially proud of was a single mother of two who dreamed of earning her CDL-A and becoming a tractor-trailer driver. Walid helped her identify her strengths, develop a career plan and connect with training opportunities. Today, she is driving for Amazon and earning $36 an hour.

💬 “I am most passionate about empowering individuals to recognize their strengths and realize their full potential,” Walid shared.

Nominator Sean Quayle noted, “He genuinely cares about the success and well-being of every client.”

đź‘Ź Congratulations, Walid, and thank you for the difference you make every day!

10/02/2026

✨ Your Next Step Starts Here

The future you've been thinking about starts with one opportunity.

From welding and healthcare to transportation, construction, and beyond, Job Corps graduates are building careers—and many are earning $20–$40 per hour, depending on their trade and location.

Could you be next?

👉 Ready to get started? Enroll today: https://brnw.ch/21x67Xw

Address

100 N. Starcrest Drive
Clearwater, FL
33765

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eckerd Connects posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Eckerd Connects:

Shortcuts

Share

Category