Cheyenne, WY – This month, a Wyoming non-profit organization was celebrated as one of the best in the country.

The honor came from the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Office of Family Assistance and the Promising Pathways Initiative. They named CLIMB Wyoming as one of the nation’s ten best programs helping to move people out of poverty.

CLIMB was identified for its innovative approach as a high-performing organization in this field. This national recognition is a result of CLIMB’s remarkable and consistent outcomes, evidence-based model design, sophisticated data collection and ability to utilize data to drive and improve program decisions.

Since 1986, CLIMB Wyoming has trained and placed low-income single mothers in careers that successfully support their families. The organization, founded in Cheyenne by Ray Fleming Dinneen, has helped more than 1,300 families across the state into long-term economic security and self-sufficiency.

Hundreds of organizations, including government agencies and non-profit organizations, were considered for the distinction. The surprise selection came to light late last year, and CLIMB Wyoming was the only agency in the entire Rocky Mountain region represented.

Representatives from CLIMB Wyoming attended a conference in Washington, D.C., this month to celebrate the honor and to share information about the organization with experts across the country. Though the conference acknowledged the efforts of all ten organizations, CLIMB Wyoming was highlighted multiple times during the event, including panel discussions and presentations about its work with returns on investment, employment support programs, and reflective thinking as a component to success.

CLIMB was recognized throughout the event as a leader in its field, especially for its unique mental health model and use of licensed mental health providers to help participants, ideas that garnered national respect and interest.

The honor attracted the welcome attention of Wyoming’s congressional delegation. Diana Enzi, wife of Wyoming’s Senior Senator Mike Enzi, was a featured guest at the recognition reception. Additionally, Senators Enzi and John Barrasso set aside time to meet with CLIMB Wyoming leaders during that week to celebrate CLIMB’s efforts and thank the team for helping to improve the lives of Wyoming families.

Even receiving accolades at the national level, the staff of CLIMB Wyoming knows that connections on a statewide level are just as crucial to the program’s success, including strong partnerships with the Department of Family Services (DFS) and the Department of Workforce Services.

In appreciation of that vital support, CLIMB invited a local DFS representative to also attend the conference and share that department’s knowledge of creating a successful collaborative relationship with a non-profit organization.

“CLIMB is a model of excellence in helping clients acquire skills for self-sufficiency. In addition to trade skills, it improves the life skills needed to manage new families with children,” DFS Director Steve Corsi said.

Corrine Livers, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) Program Consultant was equally enthusiastic about CLIMB’s efforts and the impact the organization’s work is having. “CLIMB Wyoming has been one of the TANF program’s leading success stories, not just in Wyoming but nationally as well,” she said.

At this point, the Promising Pathways Initiative will take information gleaned from the conference to begin building a best practice foundation which will be used to guide other programs on how to improve services to low-income families.

For more information about CLIMB Wyoming, visit climbwyoming.org or call 307.778.4126.

About CLIMB Wyoming
Since 1986, CLIMB Wyoming (a non-profit organization) has trained and placed low-income single mothers in careers that successfully support their families. CLIMB’s unique and comprehensive job training model has helped more than 1,300 women enter higher paying careers. Graduates consistently double or even triple their monthly wage income. CLIMB programs in Casper, Cheyenne, Laramie, Gillette, the Teton Area, and the Sweetwater Area reach out to serve families in 12 counties. For more information, visit www.climbwyoming.org.