June 25, 2025
For over two decades, “Alex” dedicated herself to the demanding world of legal work as a paralegal. The fast-paced environment and constant pressure, however, began to take a toll on her physical and mental well-being. By September 2024, she knew she needed a change and made the difficult decision to leave her job.
Starting over wasn't easy. “Alex” faced the daunting task of finding a new career path, one that offered better work-life balance, ideally in a different field or a less intensive legal setting with a manageable commute and fair compensation. Her health became the priority.
It was during her time receiving unemployment benefits that she learned about the Career Coaching Collaborative through A/D Works! Intrigued, “Alex” joined the program. A dedicated Career Navigator provided consistent support, helping her refine her resume and connecting her with potential job openings. She actively engaged with her career coach while also participating in various workshops and events offered by A/D Works!
Her perseverance paid off. Robert Half offered her a paralegal position that met her key requirements: working with only one shareholder and one associate, a shorter commute, and while it involved a salary reduction, it offered the balance she desperately needed. She started on April 1, 2025, initially as a temporary employee with the promise of a permanent role after a month.
This story highlights the transformative power of Colorado’s workforce system and the resilience of individuals seeking meaningful change. Even after years in a specific industry, with the right support, it's possible to find a new path that prioritizes well-being and offers a more sustainable and fulfilling professional life.
About the Career Coaching Collaborative and Stimulus-funded Initiatives in Colorado
Thanks to grant money from stimulus funds, Alex is one of more than 3,000 Coloradans who have received career coaching services through the Career Coaching Collaborative, a state-wide program providing funding to hire career coaches for every local workforce area and grantees of community-based organizations.
Stimulus grants are provided through Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) and 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 CWDC 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 Partnerships, 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 and rural communities.
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. ###