On Making a Difference radio, I had the great pleasure to talk with Jesse and Elbert from the Cara Program! They really make a difference everyday to those facing homelessness, poverty, un and underemployment. You can listen to the podcast, visit their website or watch the video below!

Jesse and Elbert were once “students” of the Cara program. A student is anyone who has faced extensive unemployment, incarceration or extreme poverty and enters the program motivated to learn, change their life and get a permanent job with benefits. The CARA as holistic and unique for the following reasons:

• The program presents a curriculum that helps students learn about themselves and how to handle situations differently than they may have in the past.
• Morning Motivations encourage and empower staff and students to enter “hallowed ground” to experience and share their challenges to help others learn and change with them.
• The program receives most of its funding from individuals, corporations and foundations, allowing them to avoid the “numbers game” imposed by government grants. Cara values teaching quality life and job skills as well as good job placement, not quantity job placement.
• They believe success come from responsibility and empower their students toward success.
• The Cara Program supports their students before, during and after they have found permanent work with benefits.

There is so much more to the Cara Program. Many thanks to Jesse and Elbert for taking the time to share their stories and tell us about Cara. Please visit their website or listen to the podcast to learn more.