HOMEBOY INDUSTRIES STRENGTHEN INTERVIEWING SKILLS

Our Class facilitated an empowering day of career-readiness training for Homeboy Industries' LA Rise participants. Facilitators utilized culturally-relevant and asset-based pedagogy and pulled from their own experiences and traumas to connect with the experiences of being formerly incarcerated and system impacted. The following topics were covered in the session where participants mindfulness, S.T.A.R. interviewing, and engaged in mock interviews.

The 22 participants received a curated handbook that was intentionally designed to inspire participants through the use of powerful quotes and relevant cultural references. This uniquely designed handbook helped them reflect on their own strengths and identify career goals. To create a greater sense of community, each participant was gifted an Our Class, “Empower and Educate” t-shirt as a memento of their shared experience. As a token of gratitude and appreciation, engagement was celebrated by raffling off gift cards at the end of the workshop.

participant feedback

"I expected more of a usual "lesson." The approach was an explanation from their experience in a brief but very detailed journey in life and not just the typical "do this and do that" idea. I appreciate the wisdom that they had to offer."

"The most valuable thing I learned today was to be confident about myself and it's ok to be honest and do research on the company I'm applying to."