At OIC Philadelphia, we know that job training alone isn't always enough to change someone's life. A participant may gain valuable skills in the classroom, but barriers like housing instability, childcare challenges, transportation, behavioral health needs, or difficulty accessing public benefits can stand in the way of long-term employment.
That's why we're building something bigger.
The Wraparound Support Hub also known as Wraparound Support Hub, is an innovative, community-centered model designed to connect workforce training participants with the wraparound services they need to succeed, not through disconnected referrals, but through intentional partnerships and coordinated support. The goal is simple: no one should have to navigate their workforce journey alone.
On June 3, 2026, OIC Philadelphia hosted the inaugural Workforce Support Hub Partner Summit, bringing together 26 community organizations representing behavioral health, legal services, childcare, transportation, financial empowerment, benefits navigation, and other essential support systems.
The Summit introduced a shared vision for Philadelphia's first citywide warm referral network, a collaborative approach that replaces the traditional "cold handoff" with direct, human-to-human connections. Instead of simply providing participants with a phone number and hoping they find their way, OIC staff connect them directly with designated partner contacts, while tracking referrals and outcomes to ensure participants receive the support they need.
During the Summit, partners explored the participant journey, from intake and barrier assessment through employment and retention, identifying opportunities to better coordinate services across organizations.
The discussion centered around a powerful truth shared by OIC Philadelphia President & CEO Sheila Ireland:
The Summit also highlighted the urgent need for this work. Every month, more than 1,200 individuals walk through OIC Philadelphia's doors seeking opportunity, while the organization's broader community reach extends to more than 22,000 people throughout the Sullivan District.
With the vision established, OIC Philadelphia quickly moved into the next phase.
On June 24, 2026, community partners reconvened for a collaborative design session with Fifteen Architecture and Design to help shape the future physical Workforce Support Hub.
Rather than designing the space behind closed doors, OIC invited the organizations who will ultimately serve within the Hub to help determine everything from the layout of service areas to participant flow and collaborative workspaces. Every conversation focused on creating a welcoming environment that supports both workforce training participants and the broader North Philadelphia community.
This will serve as the permanent home for many of the services identified during the Partner Summit, creating a centralized location where participants can access multiple resources under one roof while organizations work side-by-side to provide coordinated care.
The Wraparound Support Services represents more than a new space; it represents a new way of serving Philadelphia.
Future phases will continue building the network through warm referrals, co-located services, collaborative programming, shared funding opportunities, and regular partner convenings that strengthen relationships across the ecosystem.
For more than 62 years, OIC Philadelphia has remained committed to removing barriers to economic opportunity. Today, that commitment is evolving into something even greater: a connected support system where Philadelphia workforce development and community services operate as one.
As Sheila Ireland shared during the Summit, "We are building the connective tissue between talent and opportunity."
The Workforce Support Hub isn't simply being built for the community; it's being built with the community. Together, we're creating a stronger, more connected pathway to employment, stability, and lasting economic mobility for Philadelphia residents.
OIC Philadelphia is continuing to expand its network of community partners committed to creating a more connected workforce ecosystem. If your organization provides services that help remove barriers to employment and is interested in becoming a Workforce Support Hub Partner, we'd love to connect with you.
Contact Jazzmin Prosper, Director of Supportive Services, at [email protected] to learn more about partnership opportunities and how your organization can help build a stronger pathway to economic mobility for Philadelphia residents. Together, we can ensure no one has to navigate their workforce journey alone.
