CRC Workforce Program
CRC’s Workforce Program offers coaching and community support to those living with mental health challenges as they find their next career steps and pursue their life goals. Any individual living in recovery from mental health challenges who is facing the prospect of re-entering the workforce, changing job or careers, or seeking to carve a new path for themselves may be eligible to participate in our programs.
Eligibility for services will be determined through an intake with our staff. Clients work with staff to create a goal-based action plan. Services provided by Cole Resource Center are explicitly non-clinical, and provided exclusively by peers and allies who are deeply committed and sensitive to the lived experiences of our clients.
Workforce Program participants are exposed to a breadth of content. Networking, resume writing, application processes, upskilling, interviewing, and negotiating are among the topics covered. Particular attention is paid to the challenges faced by program participants - identifying the right next steps, maintaining motivation, addressing gaps in work history, and understanding employee rights & disclosure options.
To meet the needs of individuals with varying relationships to work, career, and education, CRC offers a number of different services, all tailored to support the achievement of each person’s goals.
Workforce Program Services
Job Search Coaching - Series of 5 to 10 individual meetings (as scheduled): This service is for those who are amid - or ready to begin - a job search. Participants are prepared to develop or refine professional materials, identify opportunities, network, and apply to jobs or volunteer positions. In the Job Search Coaching program, you will meet one-on-one with a member of our Workforce Team. We will help you draft and/or review your materials and help you prepare for successfully engaging in a job search by evaluating job opportunities, creating SMART goals, and preparing for networking and interviews.
Career Advising - Series of 5 to 10 individual meetings (as scheduled): If you have not yet identified your desired next step or are seeking a new career field, our Career Advising program will help you evaluate your options and opportunities. You will meet one-on-one with a member of our Workforce Team and begin with assessments to determine a starting point for your conversations with us, and we will spend 2-3 sessions discussing the pros and cons of options that are both appealing and appropriate for you. We will guide you in learning how to identify opportunities for informational interviews, upskilling/continuing education, and events and networking. Once you’ve determined a direction (or a couple) that you’d like to explore, we will offer you the opportunity to take advantage of our Job Search Coaching service.
Job Club - Weekly virtual sessions (Mondays, 1pm): All Workforce participants are invited to drop in to the Job Club. Presentations and discussions are led by CRC Workforce staff and participants as well as guest speakers in the fields of job coaching, career advising, and professional development. Job Club offers participants the opportunity to discuss and engage with vital information to support their job search, career pivot, and wellness in the workplace and to share experiences with others on the same journey.
Peer Workforce Consults - occasional conversations (as scheduled): Our Workforce Team knows what it’s like to work when you’re not feeling your best. If you need a safe space to discuss concerns you have about going back to work (or maintain the job you have while you seek other opportunities), we are here to help you. Consults are occasional one-one-one conversations about specific roadblocks. They are limited to offering workplace related support from the peer perspective, and are not a substitute for addressing ongoing issues you may have with maintaining your mental health at work or during a job search.
Working & Coping Support Group - monthly virtual meetings (3rd Mondays, 7pm): Co-hosted with DBSA-Boston, this facilitated support group offers help to peers who are in need of a listening community to discuss work-related and job-search issues. Please see the Support Group page for more information.
If you would like more information about obtaining our services, please email workforce@coleresourcecenter.org and we will follow up with you within 3 business days.
All CRC programs are offered at no cost to participants, thanks to philanthropic support. We are grateful to the donors who make this possible.