Newport Workers to Receive Employee Support Services from Working Bridges Program

Thanks to a new partnership between Columbia Forest Products and Green Mountain United Way, more than 150 employees at the high-end forest products manufacturer will have support from the Working Bridges program. A resource coordinator will be available both onsite and virtually to connect mill employees to a variety of financial and wellness resources.

Michelle Clark, a Lyndonville resident, is a resource coordinator with Green Mountain United Way. Her role is to function as a matchmaker by connecting employees with existing assistance programs, saving the employee time and energy. Clark will be available to help staff plan for retirement, connect them with tax preparation services, set goals and prepare budgets, build good credit, and offer financial coaching. She can help workers with affording basic needs, accessing food, finding the best deal on a new car, or securing elder care for an aging parent.

 Clark accomplishes all of this by building trusted relationships with employees, where they feel comfortable asking for help. “I build relationships with the workers,” says Clark, a resource coordinator, “so that when people do need help, they’re more comfortable coming to me.”

 Resource challenges experienced by workers can affect performance at the workplace. The stress from experiencing strain can lead to missed work, low productivity, poor job satisfaction, and even job loss, which are negative outcomes for both the employee and the employer. The employee support provided by Working Bridges therefore also builds a stronger business, by stabilizing the workforce and improving productivity. That means employers like Columbia Forest Products can continue to provide our state with good jobs.

 "The United Way addresses the pressing challenges present in today's workforce, serving as the crucial initial stride towards empowering our employees to prioritize self-care, thus enabling them to fully engage in their work. Our society has inadvertently fostered disparities, leading to a decline in quality of life and erecting formidable barriers that can be daunting to traverse. Frequently, employees find themselves overwhelmed and unaware of the resources available to them, resulting in a sense of helplessness. United Way endeavors to bridge these gaps and provide tangible solutions, ensuring that individuals are equipped with the support and knowledge they need to thrive,” remarks Josh Houlihan, Columbia Forest Products Plant Manager.

 Working Bridges serves our critical frontline workers in healthcare, human services, manufacturing, food production, higher education, nonprofit, insurance, and more. Since 2017, the program has served 30 employers representingmore than 5,000 employees. Currently, Green Mountain United Way is operating 12 worksite programs in central and northeastern Vermont. The program is paid for through a combination of private philanthropic and donor contributions, grants, and fee-for-service payments from the employer.