Strivelogo

Do you want to learn new skills to improve your employment opportunities and expand your income earning potential? YW Strive offers hands-on classes and assignments that will help you develop and practice your skills in a collaborative, supportive environment.

With Strive, you’ll take the skills you learn in class and work one-on-one with a career coach to define your career path, identify solutions to any barriers, and receive individualized feedback and support on your progress and skills development.

Read below to learn more about our programs:

Essential Skills

Define your career goals and gain the confidence to seek higher-paying jobs or negotiate higher wages with YWCA Strive, a free professional development program for individuals who struggle to secure or retain living-wage employment.

With Strive Essential Skills, you’ll learn and practice skills desired by local employers and that you need to define and succeed on your career path.

Topics include:

  • Digital Skills for the Workplace
  • Essential Skills (aka Soft Skills)
  • Financial Independence
  • Critical Thinking
  • Personal Empowerment
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Career Coaching
  • Presentation Skills
  • Opportunities for Education and Career Advancement

In-person and Remote options may be available depending on start dates. A new class will begin every 10 weeks.

Future Start dates are being planned, so visit often for updates.

Apply for Essential Skills

Graduate Group_Serious
IMG_1182

Requirements for Strive Essential Skills and Entrepreneurship Skills

  • Must be 18+ years old
  • Must have basic English literacy and math skills
  • Must show desire and ability to complete the full program

Preferred enrollment opportunities for women, people of color, those who have not completed a bachelor’s degree, and those who receive a referral through a partner agency.

For questions, please contact us at strive@ywcamclean.org

 

Local Employer or Agency Partnerships

Are you a local employer or nonprofit agency and want to partner with YW Strive? Contact us at (309) 319-4318 or strive@ywcamclean.org for more information.

About
YW Strive is committed to promoting equity and providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community, including clients, staff, volunteers, community partners, and vendors. We are committed to helping individuals of all races, ethnicities, national origins, genders, sexual orientations, incarceration backgrounds, religions, ages, abilities, and other diversities succeed through our programming and services. We are committed to promoting equity throughout our operations, including the provision of services, staffing decisions, and selection of volunteers and vendors.