March proved to be a powerful month of connection, advocacy, and impact for Eckerd Connects, as President & CEO Michael D. Smith spent time connecting with policymakers, partners, staff, and communities nationwide. From Capitol Hill to classrooms and community centers, these moments reinforced a shared truth: when strong partnerships and dedicated professionals come together, lives change.
National Advocacy and Job Corps Momentum
A major milestone marked the month with the confirmation that Job Corps was funded in the FY26 consolidated appropriations bill, sustaining a critical national program that helps young people gain education, industry-recognized credentials, and a pathway to independence. The bipartisan support reflects widespread recognition of Job Corps’ importance to workforce development and economic mobility.
Earlier in March, Eckerd Connects leaders and team members attended the National Job Corps Association Spring Conference in Washington, D.C., participating in nearly 25 meetings with Republican and Democratic congressional offices. These conversations focused on the role Job Corps and Eckerd Connects play in preparing young people for family-sustaining careers—and highlighted the dedication of staff whose work continues to resonate with national partners and policymakers alike.
Community Impact: Brevard County
Michael also visited Eckerd Connects’ Brevard County Prevention and Family Services programs alongside Cocoa Mayor Michael Blake, seeing firsthand how community-based support strengthens families. During the visit, he observed youth social skills sessions, met with parents receiving housing and parenting support, and heard directly from families about the impact of connection and care.
One parent shared, “I didn’t have a village until Eckerd came along. It reminds you that you are not alone.”
Another added, “Eckerd Connects doesn’t just provide the service—they provide the people connection.”
- Prevention Services: Approximately 2,800 youth served annually, with 100% showing measurable growth in life skills and resiliency
- Family Services: Nearly 200 families supported, with 100% safely housed within 45 days, 100% maintaining housing at three and six months, and 100% completing parenting education training
Workforce Development in Action
Workforce Development visits in Montgomery County, Maryland, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, highlighted the strength of local partnerships and workforce systems supported by Eckerd Connects.
At WorkSource Montgomery, where Eckerd Connects serves as the One-Stop Operator, the regional workforce system supported nearly 50,500 customers in 2025, engaging 862 employers and delivering tens of thousands of employment services.
- 2,314 adult job seekers were served
- Average wages reached $21.80/hour (WIOA) and $17.51/hour (EARN)
These visits underscored the transformational impact of coordinated services, employer engagement, and dedicated workforce professionals.
National Dialogue and Looking Ahead
The month concluded with participation in the Clinton Global Initiative, where Eckerd Connects cohosted conversations focused on building durable pathways for opportunity youth—connecting national leaders across philanthropy, education, and workforce development to explore long-term solutions.
Together, these engagements—from Capitol Hill to community programs and national forums—reinforce what Eckerd Connects knows to be true every day: the work matters. Across Job Corps, workforce development, and child and family services, Eckerd Connects is translating dedication into opportunity and measurable outcomes for communities nationwide.
