uofm_growwth

10/09/2026

Every ending makes room for what comes next.

As the GROWWTH program winds down, boxes of files are making their way to the shredder, team members are preparing for their next chapters, and we’re taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve built together.

To our more than 2,500 families across 21 West Tennessee counties who gave this innovative workforce development program a chance: thank you for trusting us to be part of your journey.

To our training and credentialing partners, community stakeholders, and resource providers: thank you for helping participants overcome barriers, access essential resources, and take steps toward a stronger future.

Thank you to the University of Memphis for being the springboard that helped us launch, learn, and make a difference in communities across West Tennessee.

While this chapter of GROWWTH is coming to a close, the work of connecting people to opportunity continues. What comes next won’t look like the GROWWTH you’ve known. A new model of workforce development service is taking shape, and we look forward to sharing more soon.

For now, we’re winding down, reflecting with gratitude, and preparing for what’s next.

Thank you for being part of the GROWWTH journey.

09/30/2026

GROWWTH is going national. 🌎

We’re proud to celebrate Stephanie Godwin-Chu and Jasmine Lewis, who have been selected to participate in the 2026–2027 Rural Workforce Academy cohort.

They’ll join workforce leaders from across the country to sharpen their skills, share ideas and bring new strategies back to the communities we serve across West Tennessee.

Congratulations, Stephanie and Jasmine! We’re proud to have you representing GROWWTH.

Read more about the cohort: https://skilledwork.org/18-workforce-organizations-selected-for-2026-2027-rural-workforce-academy-rwa-cohort/

09/23/2026

We love a good “what’s next?” story.

Brynesha came to GROWWTH looking for a better career path and ended up earning new certifications, finding support to help her get there and dreaming even bigger about what’s ahead — including a fusion food truck serving Greater Memphis.

And those salmon nachos? We definitely need to try those.

Check out Brynesha’s story as we wrap up Workforce Development Month!

Sometimes workforce development is about more than finding the next job. It’s about discovering what might come next.

For Brynesha, GROWWTH helped her earn new certifications, overcome barriers and begin imagining a future that includes entrepreneurship. Her vision? A fusion food truck serving Greater Memphis, with barbecue, Mexican and Italian egg rolls and salmon nachos.

“GROWWTH cares for you as a person. You’re not just another number or statistic.”

As Workforce Development Month comes to a close, we’re proud to share Brynesha’s story and celebrate the many ways people are building toward what’s next.

Read her story below. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/17/2026

A passion can become a pathway with the right support. 👩🏽‍🍳

Kenyata had culinary work in mind when she joined GROWWTH. Today, she has earned her culinary certification, found stable employment and is already looking toward her next credential.

We’re proud to see where her journey is taking her. Read Kenyata’s story below. 👇

Sometimes finding your path starts with simply taking the next step.

When Kenyata Anderson joined GROWWTH, she was between jobs and still considering where her interests could take her. Today, she has earned her culinary certification, found stable work at TPC Southwind and is already looking ahead to her next credential.

“I'm grateful for GROWWTH helping me to work on areas in my life to grow as a person.”

Read Kenyata’s story for Workforce Development Month. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/09/2026

Workforce development takes many forms, but the goal is the same: helping people move forward. 💙

Demetrius’ 10-year journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes the road takes longer than expected, but that doesn’t mean you’ve lost your way.

Read her story from CREE for Workforce Development Month.

Workforce development is about more than a job. It’s about having the opportunity to keep moving forward.

For Demetrius Ealy, that journey took 10 years, from an unfinished medical assisting program to earning her certification, advancing her career with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare and now beginning the next step toward nursing.

Her story shows what workforce development can make possible: new skills, new opportunities and a path toward the future you’ve been working for.

Read Demetrius’ story for Workforce Development Month. 👇
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/08/2026

Good things are growing beyond West Tennessee. 🌱

GROWWTH’s Stephanie Godwin-Chu, Project Director, and Jasmine Lewis, Lead Case Manager, have been selected for the inaugural Rural Workforce Academy, a year-long learning experience bringing together workforce leaders from across the country.

They’ll share ideas, explore innovative approaches, strengthen their practice, and gain new tools to support workers, families, and rural communities.

Then, they’ll bring what they learn home to West Tennessee.

We’re proud to see Stephanie and Jasmine representing GROWWTH in this inaugural cohort. Congratulations!

Find more information about the program here: https://skilledwork.org/csw-announces-first-rural-workforce-academy-rwa/

09/04/2026

Catch us back in office Tuesday morning, September 8. Happy Labor Day!

09/03/2026

Workforce development defines the work we're committed to for west Tennessee families! Thank you Jamie for sharing your story.

This Workforce Development Month, we're celebrating Jamie's journey from career change to CNA, and the determination, training and support helping her take the next step toward becoming an RN.

Jamie shares what pursuing her career path means to her:
https://www.memphis.edu/growwth/stories.php

09/01/2026

This Workforce Development Month, we're celebrating the people and partnerships helping West Tennesseans build skills, find opportunity and move forward. Follow along this September!

September is Workforce Development Month.

Throughout the month, the Center for Regional Economic Enrichment (CREE) will highlight successful journeys from across West Tennessee that demonstrate what workforce development can make possible.

Through programs including GROWWTH, PACE, Finish Line and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), CREE works alongside individuals, employers and community partners to help people build skills, overcome barriers, complete their education and connect their experience to meaningful career opportunities.

Our program outcomes are stories of people taking the next step toward greater opportunity, economic stability and a stronger future for themselves, their families and our communities.

This month, we're proud to share their stories.