When dedication meets purpose, extraordinary things happen. That truth was on full display as Denise Hutton, a HumanKind Career Navigator with Virginia Career Works – Central Region, was honored as one of Virginia’s 2025 Champions of Disability Employment by the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).
Virginia Career Works captured the moment perfectly in their public congratulations, calling Denise “an advocate who cares deeply and moves mountains for her clients.” They added that she is lovingly known as “Wonder Woman” — a title earned through her tireless commitment to helping individuals overcome barriers, discover their strengths, and connect with employers who value their potential.
The power of partnership
Denise’s journey reflects the strength of coordinated workforce development. As a HumanKind employee serving as a Career Navigator for the Title I WIOA Adult and Dislocated Worker Program, she highlighted the importance of collaboration with organizations like DARS.
Together, these partnerships have opened doors for countless individuals — especially those with disabilities — by connecting them to work experience placements, classroom training, and career pathways that lead to meaningful, living‑wage employment.
Denise emphasized the joy of watching participants succeed:
“It is rewarding to see individuals who have the skills and qualifications gain the opportunity to join a workforce because they have a team of partners meeting to customize career planning and provide guidance to succeed.”
HumanKind Workforce Development
Denise’s work is a powerful reflection of HumanKind’s mission. As the One Stop Operator for Virginia Career Works – Central Region, HumanKind coordinates a network of partners to ensure that every job seeker, especially those facing barriers, has access to the support they need.
HumanKind’s Workforce Development team:
- Helps individuals overcome employment challenges through career counseling, training opportunities, and supportive services to enhance employability.
- Works closely with partners such as the Virginia Employment Commission, DARS, Adult Education of Central Virginia, Old Dominion Job Corps, Central Virginia Community College, and local Departments of Social Services
- Ensures that career resources are accessible across the region through libraries, adult education sites, and community access points.
Virginia Career Works, located on Odd Fellows Road in Lynchburg, serves as a hub for career services. No appointment is needed, and services are available at access points throughout the region, ensuring that opportunity is never out of reach.
Denise’s desk is surrounded by pictures of current and past clients. Each photo tells a powerful story: A young mother who found the support she needed to get back into the workforce, a group of nursing students in their caps and gowns, a photo of a woman’s truck with a message declaring she no longer had to live in her vehicle because she found reliable work. Denise sees each of these clients as a whole person, with a whole lived experience. Though she won an award for serving adults with disabilities, she sees all clients as needing the same support: believing in their potential, while also pushing them to do their best.
A moment of gratitude and purpose
In her acceptance remarks, Denise said the award is not just a personal milestone — it is a celebration of collaboration: “This award is certainly a testament to what is possible when organizations come together with a shared mission and purpose.”
“I want to recognize the dedication of our incredible team and our partners, who all played an active role in each participant’s pathway.”
She acknowledged the behind‑the‑scenes work that often goes unseen:
“The countless phone calls, hours spent creating and customizing documentation… connecting with employers, and innovative case management… I share this award with each of them.”
And she reminded everyone that this recognition is not an endpoint:
“This award is not the finish line for me; it is only a milestone in my career.” Denise has been working in workforce development for more than 17 years.
Her words reflect the heart of HumanKind’s mission and the spirit of workforce development in the Central Region: everyone is important, and everyone deserves the chance to thrive.
Denise concluded, “It is rewarding to see people go from their lowest to their highest, navigating obstacles, and finding a place to grow.”
