TotalChild® Workforce is an innovative education and training pathway that helps struggling youth achieve educational goals, successfully transition to adulthood, and earn a living wage by age 26.

Although the pandemic created some challenges for enrollment, the TotalChild Workforce team embraced virtual solutions to connect with teachers, businesses and youth. And because younger enrollees are more likely to stay in the program long-term, our partnerships with local high schools are especially critical.

As youth progress through education or training, work-based learning experiences help them explore potential careers. When social distancing halted in-person meetings, volunteers from local businesses led virtual job shadows to help youth develop the skills they will need to succeed in the field of their choice.

Because hands-on experience is one of the best teachers, we partner with businesses like Koch Landscaping and Hauling to offer those opportunities. Several TotalChild Workforce youth have completed internships with Koch and two have been hired full time.

“They’ve impressed me every step of the way,” Owner Travis Koch said. “Just giving them the chance to see what they can do and what they want to do is pretty big. I am so thankful for what TotalChild Workforce does and that I have the chance to meet these kids.”