STRENGTHS
OPPORTUNITIES
ASPIRATIONS
RESULTS
First
Last
Stakeholder Type
STRIVE LOCATION
Cherri
Harrison-West
Staff
Atlanta
STRIVE excels at tapping into underserved communities and finding the gems within that need connections to the industries with which we partner with for training and employment opportunities. STRIVE also excels at creating atmospheres and opportunities to make the aforementioned demographic feel good about themselves again! Our greatest accomplishments are our alumni. The success stories, and the stories of perseverance are a powerful reminder of why we exist and continue to thrive. I am most proud to work at STRIVE, and particularly at STRIVE Atlanta because I work with a team that understands the need to make the experience of each participant match, or exceed, what we share in our marketing materials. We stand out, and are unique, because we provide structure, training, opportunity, and a family-like atmosphere for all participants. It is our desire that participants focus on career trajectory at a company, instead of just "getting a job." We have a saying that often times a job equates to a J.O.B (Just Over Broke opportunity), but we also realize that getting a job is a reality for
The current state of the world, especially America, is why the work of STRIVE is so important. People have always needed to work, but as program funding is cut, and people are being forced to find jobs, STRIVE offers participants the ability to earn industry recognized micro- certifications that make them more viable in the interview process and the overall hiring process. STRIVE also helps to change the mindset of applicants who may believe that they can present themselves in a participants to "get comfortable with being uncomfortable," and in reality, that is the true nature of where we are in America! The feeling of comfortability is being pulled from under us at a rapid rate, and that is a major threat to the communities we serve. Other threats include the over saturated housing crisis for Atlanta's unhoused neighbors. As people strive to get back on their feet, it is like a hamster wheel race to train them, then realize that even after training, and the possibility of a role, they still cannot find transitional or temporary housing. It would be ideal if STRIVE could work with city lack luster manner and gain employment. We challenge
STRIVE should look to continue looking to push the needle of change and growth by looking to expand to more cities. As a person from the rural south who knows of first-hand disparities of hiring, it would be great to see STRIVE branch into rural regions where opportunity is often monopolized under the "good ole boy" system. I believe that STRIVE already makes a difference, and that is important to note. Again, I think that continuing to utilize data and follow employment trends when seeking out new places to open STRIVE sites will continue to impact the difference that we make. Areas like Greenville, South Carolina and Pooler, Georgia are just two that come to mind when thinking of factors like: demographics, pay disparities, lack of industry credentials, and gentrification takeovers. With that stated, I still believe in STRIVE's overall mission to create pathways for people who cannot see the possibilities, and to create walkable bridges for people that cannot see the forest for the trees! I am passionate about being #STRIVEStrong and helping to create alumni that are #STRIVEStrong.
As our number of employed alumni continues to grow, I know that we are making a dent in the goal to increase gainful career opportunities for participants and achieve success. I know that 85,00 plus graduates over 40 years also speaks to our success, but with each cohort, I look at the 15-20 graduates, and listen to their stories about walking the stage for the first time, or succeeding at something for the first time, and that tells me that we are on track for success and doing the work that needs to be done! My vision for STRIVE in tangible outcomes would look like a garden of abundance for assistance with housing, then there is a section in the garden for that, and the same for other needs; the overall goal of achievement will be for each alum to pick from our garden until they are able to begin growing their own flourishing gardens and reap the benefits/fruits of their labor. participants and alumni. If a participant or alumni needs
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