Although the objective may be to move people to employment or further training, our approach to the “how” of doing that is focused on building trust-based helping relationships that can support, nurture and facilitate positive life changes for participants. This is not a one size fits all training or skills development program. It is an intense and personal collaboration that helps individuals envision positive futures, define personal goals and take concrete steps towards the lives they want for themselves and their families. This means that the roles of our staff can be quite different from traditional models.

Innovative and effective programming is important, but the facilitators’ roles as coach, mentor and caring human being, is the key to its success. For many participants, it will be the first time in their lives that anyone has expressed a belief in their personal worth or potential. This fundamental philosophical perspective—that each individual has value and strengths—guides all CIU activities. 

WHAT DOES THE CIU FACILITATOR DO?​

Our Facilitators are Superheroes who work tirelessly to support participants in all areas of their lives as they move towards their life goals. They act as a group leader, a personal coach, a cheerleader and a teacher. Facilitators do all of the following and more.

• create positive environments where participants have a sense of safety, purpose and belonging
• deliver CIU workshops and a variety of supporting training programs
• create and provide other learning opportunities for participants as needed
• engage learners in projects that are hands on and relevant
• facilitate group processes and lead groups to come up with solutions to problems
• develop meaningful connections with participants, and believe unconditionally in their ability to succeed
• work one-on-one with participants in a life coaching capacity
• listen deeply and support participants in mapping out their journey and in walking the path towards their goals
• continuously provide a model for behavior curiosity, self-care and interpersonal skills
• become an active member of the community, involved in local events and activities in an eff ort to build social
• capital and community participation in learning
• access allies in the community who can help provide needed individual supports/services
• manage day to day issues and work with community service providers and management staff to resolve any issues that arise
• organize methods for tracking participant accomplishments, successes and progress along their journey
• manage the day-to-day organization of the program, ensuring the group gets where they need to go
• provide ongoing follow-up/post care for participants as required
• do whatever it takes to help participants succeed​