Skill Development & Workforce Pathways
Build skills. Build stability. Build community.
Fertile Ground Incorporated is building a hands-on pathway for community members to gain real-world experience while supporting programs that strengthen housing stability, food access, and local resilience.
This program is actively being built and expanded. The community has made it clear: there is a need for practical training, paid opportunity, and a coordinated pipeline into meaningful work. We agree—and we’re fundraising now to build the systems, space, and staffing to scale.
What This Program Is
Skill Development & Workforce Pathways is a practical, community-rooted program designed to:
-
create entry points into workforce opportunity
-
build transferable skills through real operational roles
-
support Fertile Ground’s mission through structured, repeatable systems
-
grow a pipeline of volunteers, interns, contractors, and paid team members as funding increases
This is not busywork. These roles are part of the backbone required to deliver services with consistency, compliance, and excellence.
Why We Need This Now
Right now, Fertile Ground is operating with limited capacity and space. Our mission is large, and our community needs are urgent.
We are fundraising to support:
-
housing development & rehabilitation support
-
agriculture and food distribution coordination
-
logistics, operations, and facilities management
-
community outreach and program administration
To scale, we need the people and systems behind the scenes—the operational infrastructure that turns goodwill into consistent service.
Priority Needs
These are high-impact roles we are building a pipeline for now. Some opportunities may begin as volunteer or project-based support, with the intention to transition select roles into stipend or paid positions as funding allows.
Food Access Operations
We are working toward securing a dedicated facility for agricultural and food distribution. As we grow, we need support for food handling logistics, inventory tracking, and coordinated distribution.
Roles we are building:
-
Food Intake & Inventory Lead
Receives, inventories, labels, and tracks incoming food and supplies; supports compliance and safe handling practices. -
Distribution & Event Support Team
Helps prep, pack, stage, and distribute items during giveaway events and community pickups. -
Facility & Storage Support (Future-Facing)
Helps plan and maintain workflows once a distribution facility is secured (layout, storage systems, workflow organization).
Communications & Rapid Response Outreach
When we have food available or an emergency giveaway event, we need to notify the community fast.
Roles we are building:
-
Real-Time Outreach Coordinator (SMS/Email)
Sends rapid notifications, manages segmented lists, updates event details quickly, and ensures the right people get the right message at the right time. -
Newsletter & Community Updates Manager (CRM + Email)
Manages CRM organization, newsletter scheduling, donor/community communications, and consistent updates.
Digital Infrastructure & Website Support (Wix)
Our website is a key tool for community communication, volunteer coordination, event publishing, and fundraising.
Roles we are building:
-
Wix Website Support Specialist (or Apprentice)
Updates pages, posts events, maintains accurate information in real time, and supports basic design/layout improvements.
No need to be an expert—willingness to learn is welcome.
Program Support & Administration
To operate with excellence, we need people who can help organize, document, and coordinate.
Roles we are building:
-
Program Support Administrator
Helps with scheduling, forms, documentation, volunteer coordination, and internal systems. -
Operations & Logistics Support
Helps manage supply lists, run-of-show for events, volunteer shifts, and consistent process improvements.
Who This Is For
This pathway is for people who want to contribute and/or grow—especially those seeking:
-
a structured way to gain experience
-
professional references and skill-building
-
community-rooted work with purpose
-
hands-on roles in operations, logistics, outreach, and admin support
We welcome:
-
volunteers
-
students and interns
-
working professionals who can donate a few hours monthly
-
retirees
-
career changers
-
community members seeking stability and experience
Who This Is For
This pathway is for people who want to contribute and/or grow—especially those seeking:
-
a structured way to gain experience
-
professional references and skill-building
-
community-rooted work with purpose
-
hands-on roles in operations, logistics, outreach, and admin support
We welcome:
-
volunteers
-
students and interns
-
working professionals who can donate a few hours monthly
-
retirees
-
career changers
-
community members seeking stability and experience
After you submit the intake form:
-
We review your skills, interests, and availability.
-
We match you to an opportunity and share next steps.
-
You may be invited to a brief onboarding call or orientation.
-
If a role is time-sensitive, we may contact you quickly (especially outreach/event support roles).
Note: Many roles are currently volunteer or project-based while we fundraise; we are intentionally building a pipeline so we can move into paid staffing as resources allow.
What You Can Expect
Build skills. Build stability. Build community.
Help Us Build the Backbone
If you’ve been looking for a way to step into purposeful work, build skills, or support your community in a tangible way—this is one of the most direct ways to help.
Get involved today by completing the Skill Development & Workforce Pathways Intake Form below.