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Bowling Green renews workforce navigator and funds Goodwill’s outreach program to aid unhoused residents
Summary
The commission approved a one‑year renewal of the American Workforce Navigator agreement and a $120,000 one‑year funding agreement with Goodwill’s 'Another Way' program. Staff and nonprofit presenters cited placement and referral outcomes and emphasized collaboration with the Life Navigation Center.
Bowling Green commissioners on May 5 approved two measures to continue the city’s workforce and outreach efforts for residents facing employment barriers and housing instability.
The board unanimously approved a one‑year renewal of the American Workforce Navigator agreement with the South Central Kentucky Workforce Development Board, with an option to renew for an additional year. Staff reported the navigator has engaged 397 individuals year‑to‑date, provided career services to 245 participants, produced 102 employment outcomes, made 409 job referrals and 93 referrals to community resources. County funding will match the city’s contribution with $55,000, creating a combined local investment of about $110,000.
At the same session the commission approved Municipal Order 2026‑102 to fund Goodwill Industries of Kentucky’s Another Way program for $120,000 for one year with an option to renew. Goodwill representatives—identified in the meeting as Sharon Agire, Chris York and Chad Spencer—told commissioners the program connects outreach teams with people living in encampments, links participants to the Life Navigation Center for hygiene and case management services, and arranges work‑readiness supports.
"This has been an amazing year," Sharon Agire said, describing results from January through December: Goodwill assisted 168 unhoused participants, connected 245 to career services, reported about 29 full‑time employment placements, and referred several dozen participants to treatment and transitional housing.
Goodwill staff emphasized the partnership role of the Life Navigation Center, which they said provides showers, laundry, case management and other wraparound services that make short‑term employment and housing transitions possible. Mr. Misel (staff) told the commission that the program is viewed as a vital bridge between new American residents, local employers and community resources.
The agreements were moved and seconded by commissioners and approved by unanimous roll‑call votes. No specific additional eligibility or reporting conditions were recorded in the meeting minutes beyond the standard agreement language and the stated performance objectives.
What’s next: staff will finalize the agreements and proceed with contractual execution. Commissioners said they appreciated the programs’ measurable outcomes and interagency collaboration.
