Adrian, MI – August 10, 2024
Adrian, MI – August 10, 2024 – The Align Center for Workforce Development (ACWD) hosted its Community Introduction and Back to School Bash at its future location (440 E. Church St., Adrian, MI), drawing together over 400 people from the greater Lenawee area. The event highlighted the features and opportunities provided at the center to regional employers, partners, and the Lenawee Community.
The Community Introduction and Bash was organized in collaboration with Adrian Meijer, Hispanics of Lenawee Alliance (HOLA), and the East Adrian Community Coalition, with significant support from Adrian College, Siena Heights University, and several other local sponsors who contributed financially to the endeavor.
The ACWD building is set to open in June 2025 and will offer training programs and employer-focused workforce certifications. The facility will also serve as a unified resource center, addressing the gap in workforce training and local career development, particularly for nontraditional job seekers.
During the event, attendees could view renderings of the completed building and tour the site to see the progress firsthand. Align staff were available to answer questions and provide information about the resources and opportunities the center will offer.
Throughout the day, ACWD employees distributed nearly 200 backpacks with school supplies to K-12 students across local school districts. Thanks to the generosity of various sponsors, guests enjoyed meals from Macomb’s Street Eats and The Taco Truck of Clinton, dessert from Levi’s Sweet Treats, and slushies provided by Meijer. The event also featured various activities, including bounce houses, live music, and face painting. The library provided giant games. A highlight of the day was the dunk tank. Adrian City Mayor Angela Sword Heath volunteered in the dunk tank. Adrian City Chief of Police Vincent Emrick, Meijer Store Director and HOLA Founder Ben Negron, as well as County National Bank President and CEO Joe Williams all took a turn getting dunked.
The activities and informational sessions provided a successful introduction of the Align Center for Workforce Development to the region. The staff was pleased to connect with regional employers and the community, sharing the Align Center’s mission and vision for the future.
Randy Yagiela, Lenawee Now’s Development Directorand visionary behind the Center commented, “The Align Center represents a comprehensive effort to revitalize our community by integrating education, training, and economic development, and to create opportunities for Lenawee County. I am incredibly proud of our team and their hard work to make this day a success and introduce the new center to our community.”
This event was made possible by the generous support of the community and our sponsors:
Family Farver Foundation, Kreighoff-Lenawee
Black Shadow Inc., K&B Asphalt Sealcoating Inc., Ron & Sharon Griffith, American One Credit, Creek Enterprise, Inc., Uckele Health and Nutrition, Adrian Mechanical, Jackson College, Adrian Insurance/Chip Moore, Gurdjian Insurance, Jebbee, PlaneWave, Inc. Instruments, W2 Fuels, Ben & Connie Negron HOLA Fund
IAMTHEConnection, Rise Limitless LLC, City of Refuge Ministries Intl, Bill Kenyon & Associates, Del Collins, Chase Training & Development LLC, Rick Gurdjian, Adrian Noon Rotary, Anderson Development Company.
Adrian Public School, Bob Behnke, Gleaner Life Insurance Society