A non-profit corporation improving the lives of low-income families

• Holiday Giving
• Driving Toward Success
• Warren Lasko Memorial School Supply Drive
• Housing Counseling Plus Program
• Career Building Blocks
• Catalogue for Philanthropy 2010/11 Listing

Career Building Blocks (CBB)

The CBB program provides employment and training-related counseling and services to low-income residents who live in subsidized housing of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing (PH) Programs, administered by HOC. The CBB program aims to improve participants’ education and skill levels, helping them obtain employment that offers more livable wages, and ultimately leading them to self-sufficiency. 

The CBB program offers Career Planning Seminars – to assess interests, aptitudes and to explore career options; Monthly Workshops – to focus on work/education-related issues as well as helpful life skills; Professional Etiquette Seminars – offer helpful advice on proper dress code, personal hygiene, miscellaneous support, and free “make-overs” – hair styling, make-up application and hygiene tips; Vocational Training Assistance – CBB not only carefully refers participants to vocational training classes based on the individual’s skills assessment and career plan, but also helps to pay for the classes/trainings. Direct Job Referrals – HOC staff will pre-screen participants for skills, interest and education levels. When job vacancies occur, partnering employers request referrals from the CBB program for participants with the needed set of skills and experience. Support Groups – These groups – conducted in 10-12 week cycles – are critical in helping participants set realistic goals, improve self esteem, learn job search tools and interview techniques, write resumes and discuss daily challenges in the workplace. Transportation Assistance – Families who don’t have the resources that allow them to take on added transportation costs in order to attend trainings, workshops, job interviews and the like will be provided with bus tokens and/or metro fare cards. Free Computer Classes – These 4-10 week classes are conducted by volunteer instructors on a variety of specific topics and tasks -- Microsoft Windows™, MS WORD, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Internet use.