This article comes from an interview with Camille Wilson of the City of Norfolk’s Department of Human Services (DHS). Learn about its new “Mobile Workforce Center” and how it makes community resources more easily accessible to residents.
What Does “Serving the Community” Mean to the City of Norfolk DHS? How Does Its Mobile Workforce Center Fit into That Vision?
Serving the community for the City of Norfolk DHS means providing residents, especially those facing poverty or barriers, equitable access to the support, resources, and opportunities needed to achieve stability and long-term self-sufficiency. The Mobile Workforce Center brings this mission into neighborhoods, supporting VIEW (Virginia Initiative for Education and Work) participants. VIEW brings resources for job readiness, training, benefit enrollment, intensive management, and more.
As a customized RV, this mobile office unit offers résumé help, job search support, virtual learning, and connections to essential benefits. By meeting people where they are, the Mobile Workforce Center strengthens community engagement, economic mobility, and promotes independence.
What Kind of Challenges and Opportunities Does a Mobile Office Unit Bring?
Adaptable workspaces enable services, staff, and resources to shift quickly in response to community needs. This supports several functions in one space and allows effective collaboration. Being flexible increases the unit’s usefulness and reach. It also requires planning, clear protocols, and consistent training to amplify service delivery.
How Will the Mobile Workforce Center Change the Way the DHS Operates Within the Next 5–10 Years?
A mobile office unit will help DHS focus on community and technology over the next 5–10 years. DHS can then bring services like workforce development and VIEW programming to neighborhoods instead of the community relying on office visits. This approach enhances engagement, fosters deeper trust in underserved areas, and expands partnerships with employers, training providers, and other city agencies. It will also drive operational changes, like mobile staffing models, increased cross‑training, and greater reliance on digital tools and data‑driven outreach. This will transform DHS into a more accessible and responsive agency that adapts to emerging community needs.
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