Coalition Forward

A nonprofit organization

$385 raised by 7 donors

Everyone deserves the opportunity for great employment options – regardless of their abilities! Coalition Forward is an alliance of companies and individuals working together to create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The Coalition connects local businesses with the help they need, while assisting individuals with disabilities to lead more productive and fulfilling lives. We currently partner with over 50 businesses and are actively recruiting new companies.

Every year, the Coalition sponsors a Disability Career Fair. We invite graduating high school students and adult job seekers to the fair, along with businesses that employ individuals with disabilities. This year's Career Fair is on October 16th at the Kosair Shrine Center on Bardstown Road. Businesses interested in sponsoring a table can sign up on our website!

Every month, the Coalition brings together employers and service providers. Employers talk about their job openings, and service providers ask questions and gather information on behalf of the individuals they assist. Meetings are held on the third Thursday at 9 am and are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please visit our website coalitionfwd.com

A HISTORY OF THE COALITION

In 2010, Willie Byrd, Executive Director of Options Unlimited, founded the Coalition for Workforce Diversity to assist Best Buy with their hiring needs. In 2012, the Coalition assisted UPS in the development of the Transitional Learning Center (TLC), a pre-employment program for individuals with disabilities, which has resulted in hundreds of successful job placements.

In 2020, the Coalition separated from Options, formed its own 501(c)3 organization, and hired its current Executive Director, Kitty Zachery.

In 2025, the Coalition changed its name to Coalition Forward and established four regional coalitions to further expand services throughout the state of Kentucky. In addition to the Louisville location, the Coalition now has locations in Florence in the north, Somerset in the south, Morehead in the east, and Henderson in the west.