Listening to Lancaster

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster, Hourglass was joined by Rae Ann Miller from the Center for Regional Analysis at EDC Lancaster, and Anna Ramos from the Workforce Development Board. Together, they are teaming up to focus on workforce trends in Lancaster by connecting data with solutions. In this conversation, we talk about some of the major barriers between employees and employers, and the data that is driving local solutions for a better, more effective workforce.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster, Hourglass was joined by KJ Myers and Jordyn Ney of Next Generation of Lancaster. What originally started as a LinkedIn group formed by KJ while he was still in college has expanded to a network of over 700+ young professionals in Lancaster who are invited to monthly events to network and drive mentorship and inspiration in the Lancaster community. Hear more from KJ and Jordyn about the origins of Next Generation of Lancaster and their plans for the future.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Will Kiefer, founder and executive director of Bench Mark Program, which provides programming and mentorship for Lancaster’s high-risk youth. In this episode we talk about their new ARPA grant for workforce development, the concerning rise of juvenile gun violence in our community and how we can address it, and how their programs are serving both local students and incarcerated youth.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by Bianca Cordova, Phoebe Radcliffe, and Alex Rohrer– three of the Community School Directors at the School District of Lancaster. Watch the episode to learn more about what a Community School is, where they can be found, how they are helping students thrive, and who some of their key partners are in Lancaster County.

Learn more about Community Schools at https://sdlancaster.org/inspire/community-schools/ and find contact information for the Community School Directors at https://sdlancaster.org/inspire/community-schools/lead-agencies/.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by John Gerdy, founder and executive director of Music for Everyone, to discuss his new book “Lights on Lancaster: How One American City Harnesses the Power of the Arts to Transform its Communities.” John discusses how pivotal investments in the arts have transformed Lancaster City, the arts’ role in education, healing, and creativity, and how we can ensure the arts remain vibrant in our community well into the future.

Learn more about John Gerdy, and find a copy of the book at https://johngerdy.com/.

For this episode of Listening to Lancaster Hourglass was joined by President Bryon Grigsby from Moravian University. Moravian University recently opened a Lancaster campus at the historic Lancaster Theological Seminary site in downtown Lancaster. Their Lancaster campus focuses on adult degree completion programs, online graduate business programs, and customized education partnerships with local businesses. Learn more about Moravian University’s new Lancaster campus at https://www.moravian.edu/lancaster.