Boca Helping Hands Job Mentoring Program Expands

Boca Helping Hands, a local non-profit organization that specializes in serving families in crisis through various food and assistance programs, is in the process of expanding its job mentoring program by increasing the size and scope of its Job Mentoring Center. Boca Helping Hands officially introduced its new expanded Job Mentoring Center to the community at a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, April 2.

The Job Mentoring Center provides areas for job mentors to interview clients privately, as well as a bank of computers that will enable clients to search for jobs independently online. Boca Helping Hands is requesting donations of computers as the number of clients in need of this service is increasing dramatically due to high unemployment rates and the current economic climate.

An increase in the number of days and hours that job mentoring services are available will allow more opportunities and flexibility for clients to access these services. Volunteer mentors serving as case workers will follow the progress of unemployed clients and provide support and encouragement to keep the clients motivated. Once clients have completed the job mentoring program and are ready to enter the working world, their potential for employment is further enhanced through the implementation of the Boca Helping Hands clothing bank. This is a collection of donated clothing that provides prospective employment candidates with an opportunity to obtain appropriate business attire for interviews and hopefully subsequent jobs.

As the number of clients is continually on the rise, additional volunteer mentors are also needed to work regular shifts throughout the week. The ultimate goal of this program is to empower the unemployed and underemployed to become job ready for well paying careers. Services include computer skills training, resume writing, interviewing skills, and identifying potential employment opportunities through job fairs, contacts and recruitment.

“In the future the program will advance to an even a higher level by hosting seminars to help clients in such areas as Interviewing Skills, Dressing for Success, and Financial Training,” said Linda Gove, Executive Director of Boca Helping Hands. “We are also excited about holding a local job fair that invites clients and local businesses as well as congregational involvement.”

Boca Helping Hands will maintain its focus on job mentoring and job placement as a vital part of helping people break free from the cycle of dependence.

About Boca Helping Hands -- For over 10 years, Boca Helping Hands has empowered volunteers to touch the lives of people in crisis through its various food and assistance programs. Boca Helping Hands collaborates with other local non-profit organizations to work together to provide access to resources and services that educate and build self-sufficiency. Through its Job Mentoring program, volunteer mentors help individuals improve their chances of securing employment as well as obtaining better employment for the underemployed. For more information about Boca Helping Hands and how to donate or volunteer, visit us online at www.bocahelpinghands.org or call 561.417.0913.