state of the state
CLIMB Wyoming founder Ray Fleming Dinneen is joined by (from left to right) her son Will, husband Jim, Governor Matt Mead, daughter Claire, CLIMB Board President Mary Shafer-Malicki and Cheyenne CLIMB Business Liaison Valerie Arias during the 2015 State of the State

Dr. Ray Fleming Dinneen, Founder and Executive Director of CLIMB Wyoming, a nonprofit organization that trains and places single mothers in careers that successfully support their families, was honored and humbled to be recognized twice during Governor Matt Mead’s recent State of the State address.

 “We see what the private sector can do to help people become self-reliant,” said Governor Mead in his State of the State address to the 63rd Wyoming Legislature.  “In 1986, Ray saw that single mothers needed help reaching independence.  With her mother Pat she founded CLIMB Wyoming, a nonprofit organization which provides single mothers the resources needed to succeed on their own.  The program benefits mothers, children, communities and the state.  Ray it has been remarkable all that you have done, please stand so that we can recognize your efforts.”

 Watch a full clip of Governor Matt Mead’s recognition of Fleming Dinneen:

Chief Justice Burke spoke in praise of newly named Equal Justice Wyoming (formerly the Wyoming Center for Legal Aid) and recognized the entire board before sharing a special recognition of Fleming Dinneen.

“She has made a wonderful contribution through CLIMB Wyoming and she is also making a wonderful contribution to this access to justice effort,” said Chief Justice Burke.

 Watch a full clip of Chief Justice Burke’s recognition of Fleming Dinneen:

 About CLIMB Wyoming

Founded in 1986, CLIMB Wyoming is a statewide nonprofit organization that trains and places low income single mothers in careers that support their families.  The comprehensive CLIMB program model includes partnerships with local employers to develop effective trainings, and researching workplace trends to create future opportunities.  Program participants are supported through job training and placement as well as counseling and life skills.  CLIMB graduates consistently double their monthly income and decrease their reliance on public assistance programs. As a result, CLIMB Wyoming was recognized in 2012 as one of the nation’s top ten organizations that move families out of poverty and in 2014 by the Wyoming Department of Family Services for helping single mothers climb out of poverty. To date, the program has helped more than 1,700 Wyoming families reach self-sufficiency, the effects of which will be felt for gen­er­a­tions to come.