October 2026 Positive Change Recipient – Challenge

A Note from GreenStar: Challenge was selected by GreenStar members to be among our twelve 2026 Partners for Change.  Challenge is the October Round Up for Positive Change recipient. Round Up your purchase at the Co-op to support their work!  

Building Pathways to Employment, Building Stronger Communities

At Challenge Workforce Solutions we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to participate fully in community life through employment. That belief has guided our work since our founding in 1968 and remains at the heart of everything we do today.

Employment is about much more than a paycheck. A job can provide purpose, independence, social connection and stability. Employment is recognized by the CDC and WHO as a key social determinant of health (SDOH) because the conditions, quality, and security of work directly influence physical and mental health outcomes.

Yet many individuals face significant hurdles that make obtaining and maintaining employment difficult. Transportation challenges, gaps in work history, disabilities, limited educational opportunities, housing instability and other barriers create obstacles that are difficult to overcome alone. Challenge works alongside individuals and employers to bridge those gaps.

Each week, our team supports workers throughout Tompkins County and the surrounding region. We partner with local employers across a wide range of industries, helping businesses meet workforce needs while creating opportunities for people seeking meaningful employment.

Our services include vocational support, job coaching, employment readiness training, job development, contract staffing solutions and transitional planning for students with disabilities. Rather than focusing solely on job placement, we work to help people build long-term success and stability in their careers. Our vision is of a community where people with disabilities and other barriers are valued, integral members of the workforce.

We are honored to be GreenStar’s featured Partner for Change for October. We are grateful for the opportunity to share our mission with GreenStar members and shoppers who understand that strong communities can be created when everyone has the chance to succeed. The values that guide GreenStar are deeply aligned with our own. Like GreenStar we recognize that thriving communities are built on inclusion, cooperation, dignity, and mutual support. We believe economic opportunity should be accessible to all people.

During October we encourage GreenStar shoppers to learn more about our work and the people whose lives are positively impacted by our services. Every register donation helps us continue creating pathways to employment. Community support enables us to assist with transportation, work-appropriate clothing, crisis intervention and other resources that can make the difference between losing a job and thriving in one. When barriers arise, these flexible funds allow us to respond quickly and help people remain connected to employment. Most importantly, your support sends a powerful message: everyone belongs in our workforce, everyone has strengths to contribute, and everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.

Thank you to GreenStar and its members for partnering with us to build a more inclusive and equitable community. We are excited to be part of this year’s Partners for Change and look forward to connecting with many of you throughout the month.