FlexWorks, a BackPack Beginnings program

Paid Work That Fits Your Life

Flexible, seasonal jobs for BackPack Beginnings’ Family Market guests.

What is FlexWorks?

FlexWorks is a new BackPack Beginnings program that offers flexible, paid work for Family Market guests. It’s designed for people who need to earn money but find it hard to fit a traditional job around family, health, or other responsibilities. FlexWorks jobs are seasonal and project-based, and BackPack Beginnings is the employer.

Cooper Dunning and Parker White with lit Christmas balls at the BackPack Beginnings warehouse

Our first project: Cooper’s Christmas Balls

For years, Greensboro native Cooper Dunning has lit up the city with his handmade Christmas balls, a business he started in fifth grade. Now that Cooper is a college freshman, he’s passing Cooper’s Christmas Balls to BackPack Beginnings so the tradition can continue in a new way.

This season, FlexWorks participants will make the Christmas balls, earning income and building skills while keeping a local tradition alive.

I’ve been able to find so much purpose spreading the light throughout Greensboro. Continuing the legacy through service and opportunity is just another way the balls will serve our area.
Cooper Dunning, Creator of Cooper’s Christmas Balls
Cooper built something meaningful, and now we get to build on it in a way that creates opportunity for local families.
Parker White, Founder and Executive Director, BackPack Beginnings

In the news: Read the story on WXII 12 News

Buy a Christmas ball

Every Christmas ball you buy helps create paid work for local families. Christmas balls are $25 each. Buy in person at the BackPack Beginnings warehouse, 3711 Alliance Drive, Greensboro, during these hours:

Day Hours
Monday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tuesday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday 9 a.m. to noon
Thursday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

More locations may be announced soon.

How it works

FlexWorks jobs are seasonal and based on the projects we have available, so spots are limited. Requesting information doesn’t guarantee a job. It lets us know you’re interested, and a BackPack Beginnings team member will reach out when a project has openings.

1

Request information using the form below or by asking a BackPack Beginnings team member.

2

Hear from us when a project has openings that fit.

3

Complete your paperwork, including the I-9 form required for all US employers.

4

Get trained. We’ll teach you everything you need to know and provide all materials.

5

Work and get paid on a schedule that fits your life.

What you’ll get

  • A paycheck, with BackPack Beginnings as your employer
  • Training and all materials provided
  • Flexible hours
  • Work experience and new skills you can build on

Who can apply

FlexWorks is open to Family Market guests who meet these requirements:

  • Authorized to work in the US. You’ll need to bring documents to complete an I-9 form.
  • Able to work on site without children or guests. For safety, children and guests can’t join you while you work. Because hours are flexible, you can choose times that work with school or other childcare.

Request more information

Fill out the form below, or ask a BackPack Beginnings team member at the Family Market. We’ll keep your information on file and contact you when a FlexWorks project has openings.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Preferred contact method(Required)

For businesses

Need seasonal workers? Need to outsource work? If your business has seasonal or short-term projects, like kitting, assembly, or packaging, BackPack Beginnings provide labor and a space for the work.

Our Christmas ball project shows what’s possible: a seasonal business that now creates paid work for local families. If you have a project that could work the same way, we’d love to talk.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Frequently asked questions

Family Market guests who are authorized to work in the US.

No. FlexWorks positions are limited and depend on the projects we have available. We’ll contact you when there’s an opening that fits.

All FlexWorks jobs are paid. Payment details vary based on the project.

No. We provide training and all the materials you need.

For safety, children and guests can’t be on site during work. Because hours are flexible, you can plan your time around school or other childcare.

FlexWorks jobs are seasonal and project-based.

More FlexWorks projects are on the way. Once you’ve requested information, we’ll let you know when new opportunities open.

Yes. Some people pick up FlexWorks jobs while building a business through HomeWorks. Learn more about HomeWorks.

Contact

Questions? Email parker@backpackbeginnings.org or ask a BackPack Beginnings team member at the Family Market. To order Christmas balls, use our order form.