Career Collaborative

CONTACT:

77 Summer Street, 11th Floor
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 424-6616
careercollaborative.org

Susan Fox Schiro, President

DESCRIPTION:

Far too many people are “employed poor” -- trapped in poverty through low-wage and temporary jobs that fail to provide living incomes and offer no hope of advancement. Career Collaborative helps the employed poor find, qualify for, and keep, better jobs.

CC clients are referred to jobs that pay a living wage and offer career potential. To provide the best job opportunities, CC collaborates with a network of high-quality employers who are committed to their employees, works with them to understand their needs and refers to them the best job candidates. The Collaborative’s job placement specialists prepare clients for the competitive hiring process by providing job readiness and training in interview skills. Once hired, CC helps clients through mentoring and guidance to remain continuously employed for at least two years, so they can build economic self-sufficiency and avoid slipping back into poverty.

As needed, Career Collaborative works with other service organizations for job and skills training, and assistance with housing, child care, budgeting, and transportation.

Since its founding in July 1998, the Collaborative has provided career counseling and job search assistance to nearly 700 people. As of February 2005, 119 of them have accepted jobs as a direct result of their introductions, and approximately 75% have remained continuously employed. This is a reliable way out for motivated people to escape poverty, and you can help.

(2000: HUMAN SERVICES: Well-Being)