Our Model

STRIVE programming moves clients along a continuum of services towards economic independence. The STRIVE model is based on an intensive five week, full-time workshop (M-F, 9 am- 5 pm) that simulates the rigors of a full-time job. While serving chronically unemployed older youth and adults as well as ex-offenders who have struggled to find any traction in the labor economy, these clients learn soft skills that are otherwise lacking and undermine professional advancement.

Many have been sporadically employed but lack the professional skills to maintain employment. Others have given up and no longer believe opportunity exists. What our graduates learn is that navigating a job is first and foremost, a job in itself. By engaging in an intensive five week program clients experience the rigors of a full-time job and learn to execute the basic skills necessary to succeed: showing up on time; professionally dressed; having the right attitude; accepting direction; and, teamwork. As graduates transition from Phase 1 (job readiness) to Phase 2 (job development) they are literally breaking through their own glass ceiling that had previously prevented them from succeeding. They learn about themselves and grow as individuals.

STRIVE graduates have the opportunity to participate in the various partnership programs, which include:

Reintegration Initiative

STRIVE created a program to address the challenges that ex-offenders face post-release. With funding decreases reducing the number of services available to ex-offenders matriculating back into society, STRIVE created an Ex-offender Workforce Development Training Program that focuses on post-release preparation. more?details….

X-CEL Adult Education Services

STRIVE partners with X-Cel to make high school completion and college-level study more accessible to low-income adults in Greater Boston, by providing flexible customized instruction at no cost in convenient community locations. X-Cel Educations GED and College Prep classes are an integral part of the STRIVE curriculum and are taught at all STRIVE locations to our graduates, participants and to the general public. more?details….

College Credits Initiative

In an effort to increase participation of STRIVE graduates in post secondary education, STRIVE and Bunker Hill Community College created an articulation agreement, a simplified, guaranteed transfer process of school credits. The agreement enables STRIVE graduates who have a high school diploma or GED and who have completed the Microsoft Advanced Computer Training program to receive up to six college credits towards an associate's degree. more?details….