December 2, 2025
Imagine wanting to be a vet tech, or a surgeon, or a car mechanic, but having no way to know what that job actually feels like. Now, imagine you're also navigating life without the support system many people take for granted—no trusted adult to help you write a resume, or even figure out what your first step should be.
For 250 young people across Colorado, this was their reality. And that’s where Forward Steps, an organization built on a belief in every student's potential, stepped in. Forward Steps’ Realizing Aptitudes program partners with other local, nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries to provide free, expert career and post-secondary readiness coaching services. These services cater to underserved youth and young adults in Denver Metro, Front Range, and Northern Colorado.
Forward Steps promotes a multiple pathway model in its career development work. This work is focused on the transition from high school to postsecondary enrollment and attainment, and workforce readiness and entry. The coaches and mentors in both programs employ a culturally competent , trauma informed, one-on-one, and small group approach. These are crucial to building rapport and engaging students who previously thought that postsecondary training, education, and a fulfilling career were not an option for them.
The Missing Piece of the Map
Forward Steps works with amazing youth who are facing adversity. This includes young adults aging out of the foster care system—kids who suddenly find themselves navigating college applications, job searches, and just life in general, often without a safety net.
" For many of our students, it’s the first time an adult has ever sat down with them and asked, genuinely, ‘What do you want for your future?’" says Paula Pineda, a Forward Steps career coach. One student echoed this experience, “Being able to talk one-on-one with someone who really understands what you mean, and isn’t closed-minded, helped me see all the possible careers I could actually love.”
Paula and Forward Steps Program Manager Ashley Flynn don't just hand out advice. They act as trusted, non-judgmental guides, helping students explore their inner landscape—their values, interests, and passions—and then provide the hard data to make students’ dreams a reality. This holistic, high-touch approach addresses everything from career pathway exploration to stress management and self-care, while helping students develop essential skills necessary to succeed in education and work.
Once a young person connects with a coach, the support doesn’t end. They receive unlimited, individualized career coaching until age 25—ensuring a reliable partner is by their side as their goals evolve and their confidence grows.
Game-Changing Technology
The stimulus funding Forward Steps received was a "game-changer," dramatically expanding their reach and impact. A major part of this expansion was bringing their innovative Virtual Reality (VR) career coaching to more students.
Before the funding, they had limited VR equipment that tied to only one county in Colorado. With the help of stimulus funds, they secured additional headsets that could travel into surrounding counties, bringing the immersive experience to both the Denver metro area and underserved rural communities, like Weld County.
VR in Action: Instead of just reading a brochure about career pathways and in-demand occupations, youth put on a headset and step into the role of a surgical technician, an automotive service specialist, or a restaurant manager. The program offers over 50 simulations, which can be explored in five to nine-minute segments. Youth get a true taste of the work with new offerings every quarter. The most sought-after programs are in health sciences, advanced manufacturing, transportation and logistics, and other technical careers.
Student insight: “It felt real and hands-on, but without any pressure. It gave me a clear idea of what these careers are actually like—and it even opened my eyes to options I never would’ve considered.”
Paula notes that VR is a powerful tool for clarity.
"Sometimes students were very determined on a specific job, tried it in the VR simulation, and realized that specific role isn't what they wanted to do, but they still have interest in the industry. Through VR, they were able to explore other roles within the industry."
For students in rural areas where exposure to diverse industries is limited, or for those whose parents speak Spanish, the VR's multi-language option helped ensure equitable access and broke down critical barriers, opening up a new world of possibilities.
The Result: Confidence Ignited
In total, Forward Steps served 250 individuals through stimulus funding—young people who now have a clearer vision for their future and the tools to pursue it. Funds allowed Forward Steps to:
- Expand its physical footprint into Northern Colorado and Weld County.
- Significantly invest in VR technology to reach more students, ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge career exploration.
- Connect students to hands-on work-based learning opportunities, reinforcing career readiness and real world skills.
- Strengthen its long-term stability, using its documented growth to secure new grants and build new, lasting partnerships with schools and youth organizations.
“The ultimate measure of success is the moment when a young person stops saying, ‘I can't do that,’ and starts exploring with confidence, says Paula.
As Ashley explains, "This is coaching, this isn't telling... We ask powerful questions and then we have tools and resources to empower the students to use and continue the next steps."
Forward Steps' work is about giving students an authentic, self-guided process to explore their interests, wipe away insecurities, and develop the profound self-belief that they are capable of achieving their dreams.
Want to help Forward Steps ignite passion in the next 250 young adults?
Forward Steps is always looking to expand its network of partners who share a passion for youth empowerment, particularly in new, rural communities. If you are a school, youth organization, or business interested in bringing this game-changing career coaching, VR technology, or offering hands-on work-based learning opportunities to your students, please reach out to Forward Steps to learn about partnership opportunities.
About the CWDC’s work related to covid-19 stimulus funding
Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) originate from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). These funds aim to assist Coloradans who lost their jobs during the pandemic, experienced another type of negative economic impact, as well as those seeking to advance in their current roles or change careers entirely.
The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) led, directed and stewarded a $60 million package of SLFRF money funded through Colorado House Bill 21-1264. The work supported by these funds has served over 15,000 individuals through Reskilling, Upskilling, and Next Skilling programs at local workforce centers and community-based organizations throughout the state, as well as workforce innovation initiatives—including the Career Navigation and Career Coaching Collaborative, Trade Association Training programs, regional Sector Partnership staffing support, and grants to increase capacity across the state to strengthen training programs and help nonprofit providers and other organizations receive public funding.
The bill’s goal is to provide aid for economic recovery to the people, businesses, and industries most impacted by COVID-19, and aims to improve outcomes for learners and workers and help prepare Coloradans for well-paying, quality jobs of the future. The bill directs funds to individuals who were negatively affected by the pandemic, and emphasizes equity to underserved communities disproportionately impacted by the pandemic including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) communities, people with disabilities, New Americans, justice-involved individuals, older workers; there’s also an emphasis on supporting small businesses.
The CWDC is a Governor-appointed, business-led, public-private partnership with the purpose to advise, oversee, and integrate the work of the Colorado talent development network.