workforce development program

After 6-months of sobriety, survivors are eligible to transition into our workforce development program, where they receive paid training and personal support while working in our catering kitchen + café. Our 24-month program includes resource management, job coaching, life skills development, social connection, trauma counseling, educational support and financial literacy. Survivors are able to experience paid job shadowing and internships with business partners as they explore what different career paths might look like for them. As they secure their next stable job, we continue direct support for another year to strengthen job retention.

Workforce Development Phases

• Referral + Readiness: A survivor is referred to Freedom a la Cart by a peer or community partner because she has experienced sex trafficking and multiple disadvantages, but she has been in recovery for at least 6 months and is now ready for paid work.
• The Foundation: She is hired as part of our paid Workforce Development Program and begins on-the-job training as part of the catering team. She meets with our employment coach to break down any barriers to getting to work. The focus centers on showing up to work on time, ready for their shift, and with a good attitude. [Months 1-4]
• Life Skills + Job Readiness: As she continues to build her confidence, she completes further training on life and employment skills. She works alongside the support team to continue to overcome barriers to work and independence. She focuses on personal goal setting to progress toward whole-person wellness and independence. [Months 4-18]
• Career Expansion: She’s nearly ready for the next career move and is able to explore job opportunities through paid job shadowing and paid internships in areas of interest. She receives coaching through the job search and interview process as she lands her next job. [Months 18-24]
• Job Retention: Changing to a new job is hard! As she transitions into sustainable employment, Freedom continues to support her with 1-on-1 support services, group meetings, mentoring, and a supportive community. [Months 24-36]

  
Interested in being a mentor to a participant in our Workforce Development Program? Learn more here!

our impact

“This program saves me. Every time I feel as though I can’t get through something I come to Freedom and they show me how to walk through it. Freedom shows me I don’t have to use [drugs] to deal with life problems. I LOVE Freedom a la Cart!”

– Program Participant