Staffmark Group expands community initiatives to connect underserved populations

The two new partnerships are perfectly aligned with what RGF Staffing is trying to achieve through its RGF Connect program. “We believe in the power of work to transform lives,” says Staffmark’s RGF Connect Lead Matt McGowan. “These projects are not just about creating job opportunities for people, they’re also about ensuring they have all the support necessary to sustain meaningful employment.”

“Building brighter futures”

The partnership Staffmark Group has forged with Foster Nation, for example, addresses the unique challenges faced by young adults aging out of the foster care system. These include a lack of resources, employment opportunities and support networks. Of the tens of thousands aging out of the system each year, 50% report zero earnings within four years, while 1 in 5 will experience homelessness.

The partnership seeks to address these challenges by providing crucial workforce readiness training for former foster youth, including mock interviews, resume building workshops, and direct job placement assistance. In addition, Staffmark Group and RGF Staffing are donating 30,000 dollars. “This contribution empowers us to provide vital mentorship and accessible resources that help our foster youth build brighter futures,” said Maggie Lin, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foster Nation.

“Essential help in removing barriers”

Meanwhile, an Arkansas initiative partners Staffmark Group with ARVAC, Inc., a community action agency serving nine counties in the Arkansas River Valley. Through a $10,000 donation, the program provides essential resources that remove barriers to employment for low-income families. The funding covers 200 hours of case management, 50 birth certificates, transportation services, childcare assistance for pre-K children, and other necessities that often prevent individuals from maintaining stable employment. This comprehensive approach particularly benefits single parents in treatment programs who are working to rebuild their lives and enter the workforce.

“Staffmark’s donation is helping us make a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve,” said Stephanie Garner, CEO of ARVAC Inc. “We’re proud to partner with such an amazing organization to support the growth and success of our community.”

Engaging with untapped talent pools

McGowan emphasizes that the impact of these and other partnerships under the RGF Connect umbrella reaches beyond the candidates themselves. “Time and again we’ve seen that by supporting underserved communities, we open up a pool of strongly motivated talent, that is too often overlooked.”

In McGowan's experience, companies that actively engage with these untapped talent pools gain a significant competitive advantage that frequently translates into stronger performance and revenue growth. “And we know many of our clients want to help and support underserved groups and their communities, but may not know where to start. That’s why we’re putting energy into these partnerships: we can create opportunities for clients to work with these organizations and to make a difference together.”