Partnership Creatively Supports Nonprofit’s Efforts to Disrupt Traditional Approach to Solving Healthcare Workforce Staffing Crisis & Unlock Access to Free Healthcare Training for Underserved Marylanders
The Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc. (“Dwyer Workforce Development” or “DWD”), an innovative 501(c)(3) nonprofit and healthcare career training program, and CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore’s reimagined world class entertainment venue, owned and operated by Oak View Group (OVG), today announced a multi-year strategic community partnership agreement. The partnership will leverage CFG Bank Arena’s audience and multitude of platforms to increase awareness and efforts to further DWD’s mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviate a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of seniors.
In addition to being recognized as the official community partner of CFG Bank Arena, the partnership includes prominent exterior and interior signage advertising, robust community partnership programming and donation opportunities, social and digital campaign inclusion and features, and exclusive benefits for DWD Dwyer Scholars, partners, and team members.
This agreement is part of a larger partnership with Oak View Group, which aligns with DWD’s national footprint and mission impact. In addition to CFG Bank Arena, DWD has engaged in official community partnerships with OVG’s Red River Rising Community Platform and Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater, both based in Austin, Texas.
“We’re so excited to partner with CFG Bank Arena as its official community partner,” said Barb Clapp, Dwyer Workforce Development CEO. “This type of partnership is not typical of nonprofits and speaks to our revolutionary approach to helping change the lives of individuals who lack opportunity and solving the healthcare workforce crisis. Our partnership with CFG Bank Arena will provide us with a rare opportunity to expedite years of brand awareness and exposure, as our name, mission, and efforts are put in front of hundreds of thousands of people each year. We’re grateful for the generosity of our founder, Jack Dwyer, and CFG Bank for their donation that made this partnership possible.”
Dwyer Workforce Development was founded by Baltimore-based CFG Bank owner Jack Dwyer and his family in 2021. In 2022, CFG Bank partnered with Oak View Group to become the naming rights partner of CFG Bank Arena. CFG Bank donated the funding to support DWD’s partnership with CFG Bank Arena to uniquely further DWD’s mission throughout Maryland and beyond.
“Dwyer Workforce Development is an incredible nonprofit organization that is improving the lives of our most vulnerable populations, and we are excited to have them on board as a community partner,” said Dan Griffis, Oak View Group President, Global Partnerships. “We’ve already hit the ground running and through our partnership, we look forward to helping Dwyer Workforce Development expand the reach of its mission through innovative campaigns and unique programming.”
Through this partnership, DWD will develop relationships with nonprofit and workforce development organizations; garner donations to support mission advancement, further national expansion and development of Dwyer Scholar Healthcare Villages; connect with business and community leaders; recruit Dwyer Scholars; expand incentive programming for Dwyer Scholars; and more.
DWD provides free Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) job training, job placement services, and need-based wraparound services, such as financial support for housing, childcare, transportation, and more, to underserved individuals seeking opportunities in the healthcare industry. Dwyer Scholars are paired with case managers who work closely with them to identify career ladder goals to achieve over several years. After reaching those goals, Dwyer Scholars are awarded scholarships to achieve their Registered Nurse license or to pursue advanced healthcare certifications.
Across Maryland, Texas, and Florida, DWD has recruited, trained, and placed over 2,000 Dwyer Scholars, with an impressive 70% success rate of Scholars who graduate, become certified and secure employment. In 2024, DWD anticipates recruiting, training, and placing over 3,275 Dwyer Scholars in Maryland, Texas, and Florida. Learn more about Dwyer Workforce Development at www.dwyerworkforcedev.org.
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About Dwyer Workforce Development (www.dwyerworkforcedev.org)
The Jack and Nancy Dwyer Workforce Development Center, Inc. is a unique 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a mission to provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack opportunity and aspire to pursue a career in the healthcare industry, alleviate a severe healthcare workforce shortage, and improve the lives of seniors. Dwyer Workforce Development was established in 2021 by Jack Dwyer, his wife, Nancy, and their daughters, Emily, and Kelsey. A businessman, philanthropist and entrepreneur, Dwyer owns Capital Funding Group, a full-service provider of comprehensive financing solutions for healthcare facilities nationwide, and CFG Bank. With his presence in the industry and commitment to changing the lives of others, Dwyer is re-defining what it means to give back by creating new career opportunities for those who lack opportunity, reducing healthcare staff shortages, and improving senior care, all in one.
About Oak View Group (OVG)
Oak View Group (OVG) is a global sports and entertainment company founded by Tim Leiweke and Irving Azoff in 2015. OVG’s mission is to be a positive disruption to business as usual in the sports, live entertainment, and hospitality industries. OVG is world-renowned venue developer with 10 major new arenas either open or under development including: Climate Pledge Arena at Seattle Center; UBS Arena in Belmont Park, NY; Moody Center in Austin, TX; Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, CA; and CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, MD; as well as arena development projects for Co-op Live in Manchester, UK; Anhembi Arena in São Paulo, Brazil; FirstOntario Centre in Hamilton, ON; a New Arena and entertainment district in Las Vegas, NV; and a New Arena in Cardiff, Wales. OVG360 is a full-service venue management, hospitality solutions, and venue services company servicing arenas, stadiums, performing arts centers, culture institutions, and convention centers world-wide. More information at OakViewGroup.com, and follow OVG on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.