ThriveDC

ThriveDC’s Real Opportunity employment training program provides intensive, long-term employment training to homeless individuals who have been unable to secure employment through traditional avenues. Past program participants, ranging in age from early twenties to late fifties, have struggled with mental illness, chronic health conditions, physical and learning disabilities, and histories of incarceration and trauma. ThriveDC provides participants with a stipend for housing assistance and an hourly stipend throughout their internship so that participants may support themselves during training and learn to budget earnings.
Real Opportunity offers participants not just the individualized training needed to help them find stable employment, but also the life-skills coaching and mentoring needed to prepare them to live independently. For example, we teach each participant personal and household budgeting and how to open and maintain a bank account. Participants also receive guidance in “soft skills,” such as developing interpersonal skills, maintaining proper personal hygiene and attire, working as a team, accepting direction, being punctual, and demonstrating regular attendance. Weekly case management and intensive staff support allow participants to work on achieving their personal goals while they work to reach their professional goals.