Creating a path forward

A collaborative effort in Denver is helping individuals find success with employment after struggling with housing insecurity, navigating the justice system or simply needing additional workplace skills and experience to be successful. An organization called Work Options is a workforce development program that helps individuals in transition not only learn new vocational skills but also gather basic life skills to help them thrive in society.

“You never know what brought the participants to this opportunity,” said Christine Fletcher, a mortgage banker at BOK Financial® who volunteers to present financial education courses for Work Options on a biweekly basis.

“It’s exciting to see the reactions when the participants ‘get’ a financial concept for the first time—or can see a glimmer of hope in an area where they might not have before.”

- Christine Fletcher, volunteer financial educator

The program is based around a five-week cycle where participants go through a rigorous training program to gain skills in a culinary arts trade and education on life skills like financial management and coping with difficult situations so they can be job-ready and employed in as few as 20 days. Work Options uses a “strength-based model to support students as they resolve employment barriers, learn culinary skills and increase their self-confidence.”

Many of the individuals in the program haven’t had a long work history but are required to have a GED to participate. Participants gain hands-on experience while working at the organization’s on-site café or food truck. Upon graduation, some participants are placed into apprenticeship opportunities to gain more experience while working toward requirements to earn industry credentials.

Financial empowerment
“People really deserve the opportunity to have a second chance,” said Stefanie Johnson, a volunteer financial education instructor and private wealth banker at BOK Financial, as she recalls meeting a woman in her twenties who had been incarcerated and is a single mom with multiple children at home. “Many of these participants come from a really difficult start to their adult lives and this program is working to give them a boost to help them achieve self-sufficiency and long-term financial success.”

Fletcher, Johnson and additional BOK Financial employees volunteer to teach weekly 90-minute financial education sessions. Not only is the program benefiting participants, but the volunteers also benefit as well. “It’s pretty amazing how you can impact someone’s life just by showing up and being passionate about what you’re presenting,” Johnson said. Fletcher added that volunteering in this capacity is good for her mental health.

Instructors enjoy watching the light bulbs go on as they discuss topics like emotional or impulsive spending, budgeting, credit and fraud. Many of the students often stay after the session to ask additional questions unique to their situation.

Many of the participants are unbanked or underbanked, shared Lorie Rubio, community relations manager for BOK Financial in Colorado. “Our volunteers are really there to help these program participants feel safe. We have the opportunity to help these individuals gain trust in the banking industry and I’m hopeful that educating them on predatory lending practices may help them make productive choices for their future when it comes to their finances.”

The participants come from all walks of life, but Fletcher commented that she “loves helping people find a path to self-sufficiency.’” She shared a recent experience with someone who was in their 60s and coming off 20 years in prison. Fletcher said she was proud to play a small part in helping this individual take steps to become the “independent person they wanted to be.”

These basic financial lessons are intended to not only help at a point in time but become a foundation for these individuals—and their families—to manage their money more responsibly in the future. Because they’re also involved with other nonprofit organizations in the community, the volunteer educators are able to suggest additional resources to help participants grow their skills and knowledge about financial topics beyond these introductory sessions.

We’re not sure what we’re walking into each time, Johnson said. “But it’s so rewarding when you realize a student has grasped a concept. These are real-life lessons they’ll take with them and put to use—it feels so good to help someone in that way!”