THE CENTER FOR FATHERS, FAMILIES, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT - STRIVE, BALTIMORE (MD PROFILED – ALSO CA, CT, DC, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, NC, NY, PA, & UK)

Program Description

STRIVE (Support and Training Result in Valuable Employees) was created in East Harlem in 1985 in order to help disenfranchised individuals become economically independent. In the 1990s, STRIVE expanded in New York and developed into a national network across the United States and in London. STRIVE National is a network of 21 STRIVE Affiliates (Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Battle Creek, MI; Boston, MA; Buffalo, NY; Central New Jersey; Chicago, IL; Fairfield County, CT; Flint, MI; Greenville, NC; Hartford, CT; New Haven, CT; New York, NY; Philadelphia, PA; Pinellas County, FL; Reading, PA; San Diego, CA; San Francisco, CA; Seattle, Washington; Washington, DC; and London, UK) that are committed to the development and advancement of workforce development policy as well as helping men and women achieve financial independence. STRIVE National works with each of the local STRIVE sites through the STRIVE Affiliates by providing technical assistance and facilitating program development.

In 1988, the Center for Fathers, Families, and Workforce Development (CFFWD) incorporated the STRIVE model developed by the East Harlem Employment Service, an intensive job readiness and placement service. The STRIVE model emphasizes attitudinal training, job placement, and retaining a job. STRIVE, Baltimore targets hard-to-employ Baltimore residents and assists them with their employment needs. The program trains and places the homeless, former offenders (those who have had a felony or misdemeanor conviction) in addition to helping others who need a high school diploma. Designed for those who seek financial independence and want a job quickly, STRIVE, Baltimore is set up so that vocational skills can be acquired at work and education courses can be taken after work.

Generally, the program prepares participants for employment through an intensive three-week workshop that addresses soft skills. For example, during this time, job seeking and job readiness skills are refined and participants learn about and improve upon workplace behavior, appearance, and attitude. A key element in the training program is the group interaction session, in which the entire class participates. The initial session is designed to focus each participant on why he or she is there and what he or she expects to accomplish. If successful, this session will reduce hostility, increase confidence, and identify realistic goals. The group interaction sessions allow trainers to assess participants' motivation levels. Job application skills are also refined. For example, participants work on resume writing (9 hours), interviewing (21 hours), and telephone skills (6 hours). Upon completion of the training, most STRIVE, Baltimore participants are placed in jobs within three weeks; graduates are monitored for a minimum of two years as a key component of the program.

Program Goals
STRIVE, Baltimore aims to provide former offenders (and others) with skills to obtain and retain employment in order to achieve financial independence.

Networking, Partnering & Collaboration
STRIVE, Baltimore has developed an employment network with government agencies and a number of private sector employers.

Outcomes
According to STRIVE, Baltimore in 2001:

• The program graduated 310 participants in 2001, 63 percent (194) of whom were placed in employment.
• STRIVE graduates who were placed in employment earned, on average, $7.74 per hour, which translates into $16,099 per year (if working full time).
• Of the 851 people who graduated from the program in the years 1999 - 2001.
• 62 percent (526) were employed at the end of 2001. For people placed in 2001, the 90-day retention rate is 90 percent; the average six-month retention rate is 71%.
• The average cost per graduate in 2001 was $1,740.
• The average cost per placement in 2001 was $2,778.

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