LEWISTON — YWCA Central Maine has announced a new workforce development program beginning in 2023.
YW Strive is a free, 11-week professional certificate course aimed at serving the unemployed and under-employed in Maine. YW Strive is designed to provide participants with critical digital literacy and workforce skills while also helping them explore and refine personal strengths and goals.
The curriculum includes the Google suite, interviewing skills, resume building, financial independence, and conflict resolution, according to a news release from Amanda Angelo Hatch, chief program and impact officer.
Classes can be taken virtually or in person at the YWCA in Lewiston, and financial assistance may be available for transportation, childcare, technology, or other barriers to participation. The program meets weekly for a total of six hours.
Applications are open now; the first cohort is scheduled to begin Monday, Jan. 9. Applicants must be at least 18, have basic English literacy and math skills, and show desire and ability to complete the full program.
YW Strive is an evidence-based program that has been offered at YWCAs nationwide. The program aims to support women and persons of color in the workforce, in service of the YWCA mission to eliminate racism and empower women. YWCA Central Maine’s Strive is partially funded by YWCA USA via grant funding from Google and Northeast Bank.
For additional information, or to apply, visit ywcamaine.org.
Comments are not available on this story. Read more about why we allow commenting on some stories and not on others.
We believe it's important to offer commenting on certain stories as a benefit to our readers. At its best, our comments sections can be a productive platform for readers to engage with our journalism, offer thoughts on coverage and issues, and drive conversation in a respectful, solutions-based way. It's a form of open discourse that can be useful to our community, public officials, journalists and others.
We do not enable comments on everything — exceptions include most crime stories, and coverage involving personal tragedy or sensitive issues that invite personal attacks instead of thoughtful discussion.
You can read more here about our commenting policy and terms of use. More information is also found on our FAQs.
Show less