Getting Ahead Classes

Getting Ahead Classes


If you’ve spent part of your life—or most of your life—struggling to get by in the world, the idea of actually getting ahead might seem out of reach. But even if your story has been filled with barriers, vanishing opportunities, and setbacks, the next chapter can change all that. Yes, you have to write it, but you don’t have to do it alone. 

In a facilitated group setting, Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World takes you step by step through a discovery of yourself like no other. It’s not just about how you got where you are now. It’s also about what comes next to build the life you want. Plus, the workbook helps you develop relationships with people who will support you all along the way. 
 
The class is limited to 12 participants. The participants will be chosen based on the information on the application, along with their willingness to fully participate in 16-20 sessions.  Childcare will be provided during class sessions.  
 
Participants will earn a $25 gift card for every class they attend.  If all classes are attended, (which is the expectation) participants will earn up to $500.  When the classes end, participants will be matched with a mentor and invited to attend ‘Staying Ahead’ meetings that will allow us to continue to assist you as you build your resources to become self-sufficient.  
 
Thank you for your consideration of taking this class!  Below are testimonials from others who have participated in the class, please read them and be encouraged!  

Testimonials


“As the class progressed, it was a real big soul searcher. It opened up doors I didn’t want to have opened, but once those doors were opened, I felt relieved. The Getting Ahead process kind of took my thinking to the next level.”
James Williams Jr. Getting Ahead Graduate

“I took the Getting Ahead program because I got tired of the life I was living. I decided it was time I found my own resources. What impacted me most was the self-empowerment. It made me feel like, “Yep, I can do something with myself, for myself.”
Angela Callan Getting Ahead Graduate

“I’m a single mom, a high school dropout, and a recovering addict. This work has helped me to discover a whole new sense of purpose – and that being resourceful is a great strength – so I went back and got my GED. I would like to be a social worker, and now I can look forward to the future with an attitude of great possibility for myself, my family, and my community."
Nichole Way Getting Ahead Graduate

Application
Brochure
Class Curriculum

getting ahead while getting out

GETTING AHEAD IN A JUST-GETTIN’-BY WORLD

Getting Ahead in a Just-Gettin’-By World is a 10 module book covered in 16-20 sessions that helps individuals in poverty build their resources for a more prosperous life for themselves, their families, and their communities. Getting Ahead provides people in poverty with the same information found in Bridges Out of Poverty, which was developed for professionals and others in the community working to end poverty.
The Getting Ahead curriculum:
Involves rigorous work done in a safe learning environment with the support of an experienced facilitator and co-facilitator.
Enables participants, called “investigators,” to examine their own experience of poverty as well as explore issues in the community that impact poverty − banking, housing, jobs, transportation − providing critical information the community can use to take action to end poverty.
Investigators participate in an assessment of their own resources enabling them to build those resources as part of their move to self-sufficiency.
Puts the concepts, tools, and relationships in the hands of people in poverty to make a difference in their own lives and in the life of their community.
How Does it Work?
16-20 sessions- One 3 hour session per week (Meal Included)
Participants RECEIVE $25 per SESSION to be “investigators”
How Can you participate?
Assisting in recruiting investigators
Volunteering as a group facilitator
Providing space to hold session during the day
Participate in post-session support network