June 30, 2023 - Deborah had fallen on hard times. Divorced and isolated, she fell into homelessness. For over two years, she focused on survival every single day.
Today, she is making the most of a life-changing opportunity.
Instability and extreme poverty were a constant obstacle, chipping away at any hope for a future. She needed a helping hand, an encouraging voice and a second chance. That’s when she learned about a program that could help her not only meet her needs, but connect her to resources and tools that would help her land on her feet for the first time in years.
It had been difficult to find work, and Deborah knew she needed to return to the workforce. Her first steps were to enroll in the Youth Employment Academy (YEA) through the Denver Housing Authority, a grantee of stimulus funding through HB21-1264. As a grantee, YEA offers free Sherwin Williams and OSHA 10 training courses through its Maintenance Academy for program participants looking to reskill, upskill or next-skill (RUN) into an in-demand, well-paying career.
After graduating in September 2022, Deborah was eager to begin the next steps in her journey. She connected with a career coach though the state's Career Coaching Collaborative who helped her put together a resume and cover letter. After several months searching for employment and attending classes, she made it her goal to secure a job with Denver Housing Authority (DHA).
“Deborah had clear career goals and was willing to put in the needed work to get there,” said her case manager.
In January 2023, Deborah was hired by DHA to work as a Maintenance Technician for the North Lincoln Park office.
“She loves her job and looks forward to all the opportunities DHA has to offer,” her case manager said.
Deborah is one of nearly 900 Coloradans who have received career coaching services by the Career Coaching Collaborative, a statewide career coaching program serving residents who have been displaced during the pandemic. Grant money from the Coronavirus State Local Fiscal and Recovery Funds Act provides funding to hire career coaches for every local workforce area.
If you know a recent graduate or someone who is interested in receiving free career coaching, they can schedule an appointment directly or visit our landing page to learn more about the Career Coaching Collaborative and how trained, professional career coaches are helping Coloradans find their next job.