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STRIVE
Business Member Spotlight
STRIVE
New Haven, CT
Pass by the office of STRIVE-New Haven, located at 746
Chapel St, just before 9:00 a.m. and you’ll see a group of men
and women entering the building. They are all professionally dressed and look like typical office workers. The difference? These men and women are job seekers enrolled in an intensive three week training program at STRIVE-New Haven. “Our training program prepares people for employment,” said STRIVE Executive Director Brian Roccapriore. “We want our participants to dress the same way they would for a day at work.”
One of STRIVE’s main goals is to assist job seekers who lack “soft” job skills. Their training program primarily focuses on:
- Computer literacy
- Life skills training
- Job readiness training
- Placement assistance
STRIVE began operations in New Haven in September 2000. Since then more than 1,000 men and women have graduated from the program and 77.8% have been placed in jobs. At STRIVE no one is turned away; but you’d better show up for training every day and on time. “We want people who understand the commitment of employment. You show up every day, on time,” said Roccapriore. “When local employers hire one of our graduates, they know they are getting a reliable employee.”
Funding for STRIVE comes from the State of Connecticut, Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, United Way and through other corporate and private donations.
The connection with Connex came from Roccapriore’s fear that, “Clients would get hooked up with large banks and be charged exorbitant fees.” When Sharon Newkirk, STRIVE’s Supportive Services Advocate, first contacted Charlie Dammling, former Director of Business Services at Connex, to see what Connex could do to help the clients at STRIVE, Dammling wasn’t sure what to expect. Now after several presentations at STRIVE’s Speakers’ Days, Dammling is certain Connex is making a difference. “Many clients are starting a new life. They are looking for help with budgeting, saving and general financial guidance,” said Dammling.
More than one-third of the clients sign up for Connex membership after hearing Dammling’s presentation. Even STRIVE staff members have been so impressed with the services Connex offers that many have also become members.
Companies, schools and other non-profits can enjoy the no-cost benefit of Connex Credit Union membership. As Dammling has done with STRIVE, we can visit your place of business to provide information and answer questions about Connex membership. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 1-800-CR-UNION.
The Connex relationship with STRIVE is another way we are able to “Improve the Lives of our Members … One Member at a Time.”
For more information about STRIVE, visit their website, www.strivenewhaven.com.
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