The Workforce Connections program at BHSSC’s Career Learning Center of the Black Hills is an intensive one-on-one mentorship program that provides assistance and support to adult education students, so that they can enter into and succeed in post-secondary programs, such as higher education or career training. It is funded by a grant awarded by the John T. Vucurevich Foundation.
Workforce Connections program coordinator, Lori Larson, is one of two mentors for the program. She meets with students on a weekly or bi-weekly basis. Larson says the students she works with are incredibly grateful for a program like Workforce Connections.
“What makes this program super special to our clients is the financial assistance that we’re able to provide that goes along with our mentorship. As long as they are working toward their goals, we are able to provide the incentive of a gift card for fuel or help with a deposit for an apartment or items for school that financial aid doesn’t cover,” Larson says.
Since it started in 2020, the Workforce Connections program has served over a hundred students with 50 active students who are currently utilizing the program. Larson says she also has several students who have been referred to the program and will begin soon.
Taite Newland, a program participant, says, “I appreciate the sense of safety and diligent care from the Workforce Connections program. I believe it is a rare program that needs to be fortified indefinitely because it significantly helps.”
Additional assistance is available to eligible students through the CLCBH Student Support Fund. With this funding, Larson was able to start a food pantry in the CLCBH Break Room for students. “85% of our adult learners are living in poverty. It’s so amazing how that fund has helped us fill the gap to help them cover basic needs,” Larson says.
If you would like to support the CLCBH Food Pantry, you may make a monetary donation to the Student Support Fund: https://clcbh.org/donate/
