The DIGNITY of WORK

Jobs for Life
Productive work that utilizes our gifts affirms dignity
​More than 20% of youths in Latin America are neither studying nor looking for work. This percentage is even higher in marginalized communities. Our 16-week Jobs for Life course prepares people to work, guiding them through the development and execution of a vocational plan appropriate to their situation. Participants graduate with interviewing skills, a resume, letter of recommendation, and a short-term and 5-year plan, plus a lot of practical experience looking for work. Eighty-five percent of graduates find work during or shortly after the course, or continue their education as a part of their vocational plan. 

ESL
English speakers have an edge in the job market
Many of the better jobs in the country require English as a professional skill, while only very basic English is taught to most children in school. Our professional ESL programs teach the vocabulary and conversational skills needed in the marketplace, for the disadvantaged that did not have the chance to learn it well in school.

Free the Girls/Casa Esperanza Project
Equipping sex workers to leave the streets
Free the Girls has created a program to help women leave the sex trade and move into another business. They offer a phased entrepreneurship program where women sell their products (bras) for 2 years while planning their next vocational step and getting training. At the end of the 2 year program, women are equipped to run their own small business. We have designed a training program for Free the Girls to use internationally, and also delivered the training to the women at the Casa Esperanza location in Costa Rica.