Parkview’s Life Skills Institute credits TANF-funded workforce training with jobs for 151 neighbors

Parkview Community Mission told the Lynchburg City Council on Jan. 28 that its Life Skills Institute (LSI) has helped 151 neighbors obtain employment since early 2022 and that the program’s work is supported by TANF funding administered through the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and by the City of Lynchburg.

“At Parkview, our mission is to restore the lives of families and communities by building relationships and providing life changing resources,” said Dr. Todd Blake, executive director of Parkview Community Mission. Blake described LSI classes in career readiness, computer skills, cooking and financial literacy, plus one-on-one mentoring, resume building and interview practice.

Blake told council that the LSI provides bus passes to help neighbors reach interviews and, after a successful hire, supplies a two-week pass so new employees can get to work while awaiting their first paycheck. He also said LSI staff dress neighbors for interviews and for their new jobs.

The presentation packet provided to council shows year-by-year results for 2022–2024 and indicates an approximately 25% increase in wages for program participants over that period. Blake said the program faced temporary setbacks in 2024 because the program director took maternity leave and a partner agency ended a funding stream, but that a subsequent state grant allowed Parkview to hire another LSI staff member and expand monthly offerings.

“For less than $100,000 a year in grant funding, 151 neighbors have entered employment since early 2022,” Blake said. “Together, they stand to earn over $3,200,000 in wages annually.” He described that figure as a taxpayer return on investment of “over 10 to 1.”

Blake asked council to note other Parkview programs in the packet, including Food for Thought, which provides weekend nutrition to food-insecure Lynchburg City Schools students. Blake told council that Food for Thought supplies prepacked weekend bags for elementary students and on-campus pantries for middle and high schools, serving more than 1,000 students each week.

Council members and attendees who spoke after the presentation praised Parkview’s services and encouraged tours and volunteer support. Mayor (title provided in the transcript) said he had toured the facility and called the program “a treasure for our community.” Several councilmembers echoed thanks for Parkview’s combination of short-term aid and long-term workforce support.

Discussion: Council’s remarks were expressions of appreciation and invitations to visit Parkview; no vote or formal action was recorded on funding or new city direction during this session. Parkview’s request in the presentation was primarily informational, to report outcomes and the partnership with the city and state TANF funding.

What’s next: Blake said LSI will continue to focus on placing neighbors into “meaningful, dignified work,” increasing wages and benefits, and expanding financial literacy offerings in 2025. Parkview and LSI remain active partners with Lynchburg City Schools on nutrition programs described in the packet.

Sources: presentation by Dr. Todd Blake, Parkview Community Mission; meeting packet provided to Lynchburg City Council.