SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - KeyBank Foundation has recently donated $10,000 to Way Finders to support their implementation of its Ready to Work: My Story, My Goals program. Tickets on sale now for Springfield’s 2025 LEGO convention at MassMutual Center This program is a six-week employment readiness course that consists of in-class instruction and one-to-one support for up to 15 low- to moderate-income residents with limited or no documented work experience, according to Way Finders. In Holyoke’s and Springfield’s underserved neighborhoods, 35 percent to 80 percent of residents identify as people of color and/or Latino/Latina. At the end of the Ready to Work: My Story, My Goals program, each participant will have a resume, cover letter, and the understanding of how to translate their life experiences into marketable skills, improve digital literacy skills, conduct job searches, and complete an application. “Taking the first step on the journey to employment can be intimidating, especially if you are missing important things like a valid ID, a resume, interview clothes, or the ability to access and use the internet,” says Bea Dewberry, Director of Community Building and Engagement at Way Finders. “This KeyBank funding allows us to work hand-in-hand with Holyoke and Springfield residents, helping them ready themselves for employment, and ultimately securing a more stable future for themselves and their families.” “KeyBank is proud to support Way Finder’s Ready to Work program, as it aligns with our commitment to helping individuals achieve financial stability and independence,” said Matthew Hummel, KeyBank Market President and Regional Commercial Banking Executive for Connecticut and Massachusetts. “By investing in workforce development, we aim to empower residents with the skills and resources needed to sustain employment, obtain affordable housing, and build brighter futures for themselves and their families.” Local News Headlines Bright Nights at Forest Park closed Wednesday due to high winds Over $150,000 stolen from Greenfield’s iconic ATM Appalachian Trail reopens at East Mountain State Forest after wildfire Way Finders receives $10,000 grant to support employment readiness program WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.