In 2000, Norma Dunwoody, then President of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce, organized an Educational Summit that would lay the groundwork for what would become Career Partners.
The summit brought together community leaders, educators, and local business owners to have an important conversation: How could the community better prepare students for life after high school? At the time, schools and businesses often operated separately, but the summit created an opportunity to openly discuss the needs of local employers, curriculum and resource challenges, and a changing workforce.
Those conversations highlighted a need for students to gain real-world experience, connect with mentors, and better understand the relationship between their education and future careers. They also demonstrated the value of bringing education, business, and community leaders together around a shared goal.
What began as a conversation in 2000 grew into Career Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting students with the skills, experiences, and opportunities they need to thrive. Twenty-five years later, that foundation continues to shape Career Partners’ work and its commitment to investing in Culpeper County students and the community.