STRIVE is a nationally recognized workforce initiative committed to individual and community empowerment through employment. The STRIVE employment model was introduced in New York in 1984. The characteristics that set the model apart are its five weeks of intensive attitudinal training coupled with its two years of graduate follow-up. Together, these produce low costs, fast entry into the workforce, and high job retention rates. Because of the effectiveness of this approach, STRIVE has been featured on "60 Minutes " three times since 1997. Elements of the model have been widely adopted throughout the employment field in the United States.

The STRIVE job-readiness training is an intense process by which the hardest to employ are transformed into job-ready individuals. Stressing accountability, responsibility, and personal growth, the entire training takes place in a simulated work environment where participants are given the opportunity to aggressively address personal obstacles to success. With the challenges and support of the trainers, individuals become empowered, discovering their own strengths and gaining the life skills necessary for success in the world of work.

When STRIVE's demanding program mixes with participants who often carry difficult personal histories and complex behavior patterns, strong support services must be in place.  STRIVE ensures access to social services as needed, allowing participants to break down the multiple barriers that could prevent them from completing training and later, maintaining employment.

After completing training, STRIVE graduates are assigned a Placement Specialist. The two work one-on-one, pushing the graduates to be proactive in their job search and teaching them how to effectively market themselves to employers. Strong relationships with local employers and lifetime access to services for all graduates are key components of STRIVE's dedicated and effective approach to job development.

The Organization for a New Equality (O · N · E)

STRIVE provides financial literacy to all its clients over the five week job training course through the Organization for A New Equality (ONE). The agency's mission is to expand economic opportunities for people historically excluded from the financial mainstream by teaching them how to achieve financial independence and gain equal access to credit and capital through financial education and asset building strategies.

BOSTON NEIGHBORHOOD NETWORK TELEVISION

STRIVE airs live on BNN every Thursday at 2:oopm (E.S.T.)
BNN is Boston's community media resource, providing training and public access to cable television programming and emerging media technologies. The City of Boston has two cable providers, Comcast Cable and RCN Cable. BNN is carried on both cable systems. If you are a Comcast subscriber you can see BNN programs on channels 9 and 23. If you are an RCN subscriber, BNN programs can be seen on channels 15 and 83.

A Suit. A Second Chance. A Future.

STRIVE/Boston Employment Service is the New England area Career Gear affiliate. Since its inception Career Gear has served 17,500 men of all ages, and ethnic backgrounds, including public assistance recipients, the disabled, recovering addicts, recent immigrants, unemployed teenagers, veterans and ex-offenders. Each has completed a job-training program and has a scheduled interview. Each STRIVE/Career Gear participant is then given one business appropriate outfit for his upcoming interview which includes a dress shirt, tie, suit or trousers, socks and dress shoes. For more information visit their website at http://www.careergear.org

STRIVE on 60 minutes

Telephone: (617) 437-1441
Fax: (617) 247-1609