The Guadalupe Centers Workforce Development and Adult Education program continues to empower individuals seeking new opportunities—whether they are launching a career, reentering the workforce, or securing their first job. With the support of dedicated bilingual workforce coaches, the program helps participants overcome barriers and move toward long-term stability.
In 2025, the Workforce team set a goal to place at least 100 individuals in meaningful employment. That goal was surpassed, with 110 successful job placements achieved throughout the year. Participants included individuals enrolled in English Language Learners (ELL) classes as well as those seeking workforce support independently.
Most program participants range in age from 25 to 45, and 15% hold degrees earned outside of the United States. The Workforce team works closely with each individual to identify positions aligned with their skills and experience, and in some cases, employer partners are able to validate international degrees.
What sets the Workforce Development and Adult Education program apart is its bilingual services and designation as a Financial Opportunity Center. In addition to job placement, the team reviews clients’ financial situations to ensure positions offer fair, sustainable wages that support long-term success.
The program is open to ensure access to critical employment resources for all. Long-standing relationships with local employers—built and nurtured over many years—create direct pathways to job opportunities across multiple industries.
Services include:
- Mock interviews and job readiness support
- Financial navigation, including help opening bank accounts
- Digital skills training
- Ongoing check-ins focused on budgeting, credit, and workplace well-being
“The key is knowing each client’s story, because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. This program is client-driven—it’s all about meeting people where they are, building their confidence, their plan, their skills, and supporting their individual goals.”
The program’s success is strengthened by partnerships with employers such as Nuuly, Geiger, Raytown Public Schools, Guadalupe Centers, Master Transportation, SmartPro, CommunityAmerica Credit Union, Discover Vision Centers, JE Dunn, and University of Kansas Health Systems, among others. These collaborations help connect participants with careers that offer stability, growth, and purpose.
Support continues even after job placement. Ongoing coaching reassures clients that Guadalupe Centers remains a trusted resource. Financial check-ins may include credit monitoring, budget adjustments, and guidance around retirement planning, with referrals provided when additional support is needed.
As the Workforce Development team looks toward 2026, goals include increasing job placements, working to increase participation in financial literacy coaching, and expanding access to those services. Helping clients improve their financial planning skills while improving their debt-to-income ratio, expanding the team to serve more clients, and strengthening collaboration with Guadalupe Centers High School to help students identify meaningful career pathways after graduation.
The success of the Workforce Development and Adult Education program is made possible through community and donor support. Every contribution helps provide individualized coaching, job readiness training, and financial education—ensuring participants don’t just find a job, but build a foundation for long-term stability.
As Lisbeth shares with those considering the program, “Don’t be shy. We’re here to help you as much as you need. If you think it’s not possible, you’ll never know unless you try.”
Through continued investment, Guadalupe Centers is helping individuals turn opportunity into lasting change for themselves, their families, and our community.