LOUISVILLE, KY. – The Spot: Young Adult Opportunity Campus will hold a ceremony for graduates of its job-readiness and self-sufficiency programs on Friday, October 28, from 4-6 p.m. at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center at 3029 W Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40212.
A partnership of KentuckianaWorks and Goodwill Industries of Kentucky, The Spot offers young adults ages 16-24 in Louisville and surrounding regional counties free tools and support to restore their connection to education and/or employment that was once severed by barriers in their lives, such as homelessness, substance abuse, involvement in the justice system and more.
The ceremony will honor all graduates of The Spot’s curricula, known as, “Thrive,” since the services were introduced on July 1, 2021. More than 200 students are expected to be recognized and have been encouraged to invite family and friends. Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer will be in attendance. Graduates will also receive words of encouragement from notable figures virtually.
In order to qualify for graduation, students are required to complete a series of work-ready employment workshops: orientation, the Soft Skills Academy (eight-hour course) GoodStart (20 hours) and the Young Adult Reintegrating Individuals Successfully Every Day (RISE) program (25 hours). Students receive $50, $100 and $150 stipends, respectfully, for completing each program.
Training includes self-presentation, resume writing, communication skills, mock interviewing, teambuilding, conflict resolution, digital and financial literacy, career pathways, personal branding, certifications and so much more to help individuals integrate into the workforce. These programs set the foundation for students to narrow down their education and/or employment goals while working with a career coach to remove barriers.
“We are thrilled with the number of young adults The Spot was able to serve in its first year,” said Executive Director of KentuckianaWorks Michael Gritton. “Many young adults in our community are facing major obstacles in their lives. The team at The Spot is changing the lives of young people, helping them overcome barriers and get on track to a quality career or finishing school.”
In addition to its employment programs, The Spot also offers assistance with behavioral and mental health, substance abuse, spiritual health, wellness, legal aid, housing, transportation, occupational training and family reunification.
To date, more than 700 young adults have been assisted with barrier reduction through the programs and services provided at The Spot. Two-hundred and thirty-seven individuals have completed all workshops to qualify for graduation. The Spot has guided 230 to attain credentials, 133 to gain employment and 17 to earn their GED. It has served 125 unhoused young adults.
“The great partnership between KentuckianaWorks and Goodwill Industries of Kentucky allows The Spot to give young adults a safe place to dream again,” said Goodwill Industries of Kentucky Director of Young Adult Services Rosell Hamilton. “Students, with the assistance of their career coach and facilitator, establish their careers, education and life goals. We are fortunate to be a part of their journey and wish each of our graduates continued success.”
The Spot serves clients ages 16-24 from Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties through four different locations in downtown Louisville, West Louisville, Bullitt and Henry counties. It is supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Labor, Louisville Metro Government, and private funders. Click here for a complete list of funding.
To learn more about The Spot or for contact information, visit thespotky.org.
About KentuckianaWorks
KentuckianaWorks is the Louisville region’s Workforce Development Board. Their programs help job seekers in Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer, and Trimble counties find jobs, education and training and connect employers with skilled, qualified workers. In addition to The Spot, KentuckianaWorks helps run SummerWorks, Code Louisville, Kentuckiana Builds, the College Access Center (KCAC), and the area’s Kentucky Career Centers, among other workforce programs.
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 99-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2021, Goodwill helped place 2,636 Kentuckians into jobs with 871 of its employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.