YF385982260A36

Award Purpose

Strive Gaining Real Opportunities in the Workforce (GROW) - Strive GROW will improve employment outcomes for 414 young adults by providing the foundational, occupational, and leadership training, mentoring, education, case management, and services and supports they need to enter the workforce or return to education.

Activities Performed

Strive GROW is an innovative, comprehensive young adult reentry program that will improve employment outcomes for 414 youth by providing—in partnership with violence prevention providers, employers, and the justice system—occupational training, education, case management, mentoring, and the services and supports they need to enter and remain in the workforce. Strive GROW will serve justice-involved young adults and young adults impacted by community violence, preparing them to meet the needs of their local labor markets with the skills required by employers. Strive is committed to a positive youth development framework, including mentoring and leadership development to support the necessary motivation and discipline required for the achievement of long-term goals.

Strive recognizes the importance of trauma-informed care and incorporates it into all its programs. Strive's cohort approach fosters sustained connections and engagement in community building activities with positive peer groups. Strive will work with Credible Messenger Mentoring Movement to train staff, identify credible messengers, and support the violence prevention partner's programming. Since participants meet and interact with several staff, many of whom have lived experience of incarceration or community violence, Strive ensures that credible messengers reach all participants. Collaboration between Strive, subgrantees, and local service provider partners means staff share information and best techniques for engaging and serving young adults. Partnerships between subgrantees and employers will ensure all participants have a post-program placement; post-placement follow-up supports the program's sustained impact.

Deliverables

At least 60% of participants who enter occupational skills training or education will attain a credential; 70% of participants who enter occupational skills training or education will demonstrate measurable skills gains; at least 70% of participants who are placed in a job will still be employed the second quarter after exit; at least 60% will be employed the fourth quarter after exit. Median earnings will be $5750. No more than 5% of participants will be arrested for violent crimes committed after program entry; the program will limit recidivism to no more than 10% of participants.

Intended Beneficiary

Justice- and violence-impacted young adults, their families, and residents of the high-poverty, high-crime target areas in Atlanta, Bridgeport, and Chicago.

Subrecipient Activities

All subgrantees will implement the program model, coordinate program operations with the violence prevention and justice system partners, and ensure that the partners will support and deliver program components and collaborate with other partners as indicated in the grant proposal. Subgrantees will further ensure that education and occupational training provided are in locally in-demand industries by maintaining regular contact with employer partners and in consultation with state or local workforce development boards; participate in a DOL evaluation if undertaken as specified in FOA-ETA-22-03; submit regular and timely reports and updates, including all required performance management data and fiscal documents, to Strive to assist in grant management and successful program execution and adhere to all applicable federal requirements; use all performance management tools as mandated by the proposal; and provide services targeted to participants in the high-poverty, high-crime target area(s) as identified in the proposal.

Strive International

17.270 - Reentry Employment Opportunities

Employment and Training Administration (ETA) [DOL]

Office of Workforce Investment [DOL - ETA]

New York United States

State-Wide

Growth Opportunities (FOA-ETA-22-03)

Amendment Since initial award the End Date has been extended from 12/31/25 to 12/31/26.