Seattle Goodwill, a leader in providing basic skills and job training to low-income adults, is now addressing Seattle’s growing demand for an educated workforce. Through its Career Pathways program—launched in June 2009—Goodwill is partnering with local community colleges to help adults with multiple barriers enter college, complete training, and ultimately help them attain family-supporting jobs.
Amber Johnson, who is now in her second quarter of the Certified Office Professional program at Renton Technical College
The core components of the program are the Community College 101 class and complementary educational navigation services. In the six week class, students learn about the college enrollment process, complete financial aid documents, explore career and training options, and practice skills that will enable them to be successful students. They also take guided tours of local college campuses and create individualized education plans. Students who complete the class are eligible for special funding from Goodwill to help pay for school-related expenses, as well as ongoing educational navigation and support. The class aims to dispel students’ common misconceptions about college and help them realize that college is possible for them.
Christopher Wolf, who is in his first quarter doing pre-requisites for the Computer Programming degree at Seattle Central Community College
To date, 34 students have completed the class. Twenty-one of those students have successfully started classes at a local college, and six from the most recent class are poised to enter college. Of the 21 enrolled, one student has completed a certificate and 18 are still taking classes towards a certificate or degree. Several students who began in adult basic education or developmental education are now taking college-level classes that apply to their training programs of choice. Recently, the class expanded to reach more students, including low-income housing residents referred through a partnership with Seattle Housing Authority. In addition, there will be a new class offered this summer at WorkSource Renton in partnership with WorkSource staff.
For more information about the Community College 101 class, or to refer students, please contact Monica Cheng, Career Pathways Navigator, at (206) 860-5783 or Monica.Cheng@seattlegoodwill.org.
