Employment and Life Skills | Developing Skills for Life

Getting a job always has its challenges and barriers.  This is especially true for people dealing with poverty and other critical issues in their lives.  The Hanifen Employment Center (HEC) tries to make this process easier and provide individuals with the tools and resources needed to land their next job or learn new skills to get a better job.

The HEC is a space where clients can come to work on improving their professional job skills, tap into life skills and career counseling, apply for jobs, prepare for interviews, participate in job fairs, and improve their financial literacy.  Personalized assistance is offered to help each individual achieve personal and/or professional success.

Short Term Outcomes

• Improve client’s ability to survive emergency conditions
• Decrease stress
• Improve access to community services & opportunities
• Short-term budget relief
• Improve employability factors:
  • Colorado ID, Drivers License, Birth Certificates
  • Job search
  • Resume writing & practice interviewing skills
  • Transportation strategy (bus passes)
• Goal-setting skills
• Improve financial literacy
  • Budgeting & savings/resource conservation
• Increase self-esteem and hope
• Build or strengthen trust and social relationships

Long-Term Outcomes

• Preserve life, health, and dignity
• Improve problem-solving and ability to access supportive services during crisis
• Increase family/household stability
  • Decrease stress/potential for abuse
  • Improve financial resiliency
• Strengthen social capital/networks
• Empower internal drive – increase client’s ability to set and achieve goals
• Increased participation in family and community by clients and volunteers

Vocational Counselors help job-seekers conduct an assessment of their interests, skills, personality traits and goals to help them identify a career path that is a good fit. Clients also develop knowledge and skills that help: ​

• Set realistic career goals ​
• Learn appropriate dress for the workplace ​
• Understand employer expectations ​

Guidance from staff and volunteers can help individuals prepare to get a job or to start a new career. Catholic Charities can help an individual with:​

• Resume development ​
• Interview skills and practice​
• Job search​

Additionally, we offer support with:

• Computer Skills – see Digital Equity
• Soft Skills Development
• Financial Literacy Mentorship
• Problem-solving
• Strengthening social capital/networks
• Empowering internal drive – increase the client’s ability to set and achieve goals
• Increased participation in family and community by clients and volunteers

Digital Equity:  What is it?

Access to technology and basic computer skills are critical for success in today’s world. In partnership with the City of Colorado Springs, Catholic Charities of Central Colorado is working to bridge the digital divide in our community. ​
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The two pillars of our Digital Equity Program are access and skills – access to devices that work and the skills to use them for essential functions. The program delivers access and skills through one-on-one help, workshops, and classes delivered in targeted locations (Hanifen Employment Center and Family Connections) and through our mobile computer lab. ​

Computer Classes
Computer skills classes in under-resourced areas focus on the skills necessary to succeed in today’s world to include resume writing and word processing, email communication, Microsoft Office tools, and effective use of the internet. ​ Classes take place at specific locations in Colorado Springs.  Each of the four class series is comprised of seven classes.  Participants who complete the entire series receive a certification and a Google Chromebook.  Check back for class locations and times. ​
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Tech Support
Our mobile classroom brings our Digital Equity programming to trusted and accessible locations to bridge the divide. Classes and workshops are portable because of the technology of our mobile classroom. ​

Mobile Classroom
Our mobile classroom brings our Digital Equity programming to trusted and accessible locations to bridge the divide. Classes and workshops are portable because of the technology of our mobile classroom. ​ Current locations include Hillside Community Center, Deerfield Hills Community Center, Meadows Park Community Center, and Relevant Word Christian Cultural Center.

-Winter 2024 Schedule-

Deer Field Hills Community Center
4290 Deerfield Hills Rd.
Colorado Springs, CO 80913

• March 4th 10:00am – 12:00pm – Internet Basics
• March 11th 10:00pm – 12:00 pm – Searching & Safety
• March 18th 10:00am – 12:00 pm – Introduction to Email
• March 25th 10:00pm – 12:00pm – Google Docs & Google Drive

Contact Digital Literacy Program Manager at 719.866.6285 or
DigitalEquity@CCharitiesCC.org for more information. ​

Press Release on Digital Equity Program

Social Media Video Interview

Member of | National Digital Inclusion Alliance |