An Atlanta nonprofit is addressing the needs of underserved communities by combining workforce training and business partnerships. STRIVE Atlanta provides support to people reentering the community after incarceration and anyone facing systemic barriers to gain employment.

Through the Career Path program, local businesses partner with STRIVE to train participants for careers in high-demand industries like logistics and office administration. Students also have access to housing, health and transportation services through the program.

Executive director Jamal Vailes said the student receive custom training, giving them essential skills for the job.

“Many of our students are not going to come in with bachelor's degrees, with associate degrees,” he said. “So if we can help equalize that opportunity for you through those certifications, through those licenses, kind of a stackable credential model, that's what we do.”

STRIVE Atlanta also offers the Future Leaders program to address education gaps for young adults age 18 to 24 who have been impacted by the justice system. This year, the organization prepared nearly 200 participants to enter the workforce.

Vailes said after students complete the program, many come back to help future participants.

“Alumni engagement is critical to us as well, so graduation is not an exit point,” he said. “It really is a springboard to the next realm of engagement with us.”

Next year, STRIVE Atlanta will also offer job training for positions in health care.

Tags: job training  employment  Georgia