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PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia Works, Inc., the City’s Workforce Development Board and its President and CEO Patrick Clancy, have been selected as a 2020 Solas Award honoree by the Welcoming Center for New Pennsylvanians.

The Solas Awards, now in its twentieth year, recognizes key community organizations and business leaders for their work to both support immigrants integrating into Philadelphia, and to celebrate the positive impact that immigrants make to the local economy. This event is the hallmark fundraising gala of the Welcoming Center providing general operating support to assist immigrants in adjusting to their new communities.

Philadelphia Works and President and CEO H. Patrick Clancy will be awarded for contributions made to diversify business talent pipelines through developing an accessible pool of work-authorized immigrants at all skill and education levels. For 17 years, Philadelphia Works has proudly funded training programs focused on connecting immigrants to the local workforce through the Welcoming Center. Their most recent partnership, the International Professionals Program, helps immigrants with advanced degrees who are unemployed or underemployed, to access the labor market in Philadelphia. 

“Our workforce is for everyone, we want to be fully inclusive,” says H. Patrick Clancy, president and CEO at Philadelphia Works. “We value the immigrant population’s diverse culture and skillset. We pride ourselves on providing services that make sense for immigrants and lead to opportunities to earn a living-wage to sustain their families and contribute to their communities,” said Clancy. “A well-diversified workforce is the key to success. Employers across the city should be looking to the Welcoming Center as a key resource to build a diverse talent pipeline.” 

Philadelphia Works and Patrick share the spotlight with Angelina Branca, who will receive the Dennis Clark Solas award for highlighting the role of immigrants in moving America forward.

The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, February 27, from 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia, PA. A broad range of business, civic, and community leaders from the region who are utilizing the immigrant population to meet their diverse talent needs are expected to be in attendance.  For  ways to support the Welcoming Center, click here. For more event information, sponsorship, or questions about the Solas Awards, please contact Director of Development Rebecca Rathje at the Welcoming Center.