Our Programs

Job seekers in this program may have spent months applying to positions, only to never hear back from employers, leaving them frustrated and demoralized. In KeelWings, they’ll be able to secure documentable work experience to list on a resume. With this experience under their belt, they’ll increase their likelihood of receiving responses from employers and, most importantly, of entering the workforce.

KeelWorks allows those with learning but lacking experience to practice in a practical way what they’ve learned, add experience to their resume, and become credible candidates for employment. We specifically look to develop and strengthen members resumes and portfolios with the newfound knowledge and experience they’ve acquired. 

KeelMate works to close knowledge gaps with learning and practical application of real-world skills. Coaches, where available, work alongside participants to guide them through the program, increasing their self confidence and expanding competencies. In some fields where we lack competence, but there is a significant number in need, we’ll offer the opportunity and challenge the community to learn together while practicing.

And like their KeelWings teammates, they’ll also develop and strengthen their resumes and portfolios with the newfound knowledge and experience they’ve acquired. Our hope is that associates from both programs develop and expand their skill set so as to secure paid positions outside of our organization.

Participants are encouraged to build a professional network of mutually supportive peers that can sustain them throughout their career. Effective performances garner a referral from KeelWorks, and all participants in all programs are encouraged to write referrals for each other.

KeelMaster is our most ambitious program that is currently in development. It offers a systematic process supporting individuals with the greatest employment challenges to gainful employment.

Our goal for KeelMaster program is to break the pattern of unemployment and underemployment. This program recognizes that continued failure is a certainty, unless informed intervention is applied. It also recognizes that change is easier when confronted in a community rather than in isolation.

The program will recognize and address barriers as well as recognize and leverage strengths. Our unique program offers a four-phase approach that is designed to affect sustainable change. We believe that if we can mitigate barriers and align participants with their strengths, we can change their lives.

• Phase one: Barrier identification and needs/strengths assessment.

• Phase two: Team assignment and core competency learning (self-identity, critical thinking, problem-solving, team building, communication, goal determination and goal management).

• Phase three: Goal fulfillment through training/education with peer and facilitator support  (e.g., data confirming progress toward goal and career practice in the foundation or elsewhere).

• Phase four: job development/job finding.

• Phase five: Becoming stable in employment.