“I’m 21 years old. I have three kids: 6, 4 and 2. I’ve been separated for two years. I’m a good parent, but I’m here, you know, because I’m tired of sitting at home, getting public aid. By the time I get the check, it’s gone. I got to buy clothes, shoes, pay the rent. I want to work so I can be independent. I want to show my kids I’m doing something positive instead of being home all day, waiting on a once-a-month check.”
– A client of STRIVE
The first day starts with a greeting worthy of a drill sergeant.
“You will not like me a lot of the time,” Cheryl Bland-Winbush says. “I will not be always understanding. I will be fair, and I will be clear and accurate.”
Her audience of 47 people is quiet and attentive, but she knows from experience that some are bristling at her words and that a few may have already decided to quit the four-week workshop.
Bland-Winbush, 35, is an instructor for STRIVE (Support and Training Result In Valuable Employees), a national program with two Chicago offices that provides job training and helps find jobs for inner-city adults who are out of work, largely unskilled and, for the most part, on welfare.
She welcomes 39 women and 8 men as clients in Cycle 86-the 86th workshop conducted by STRIVE in its seven years in Chicago.
They range in age from 21 to their late 40s and have employment records that are spotty or nonexistent. Most are single mothers on public aid; almost all have been referred to STRIVE by caseworkers.
“This government is very serious about welfare reform,” Bland-Winbush says. “If you’re getting public assistance, it’s now temporary. Very temporary. You may go to the mailbox one day and find nothing’s there.
“You are fighting big odds. You will have to overcome preconceived ideas about you–that you are lazy, irresponsible, that you can’t be depended upon, that people like you are more trouble than they’re worth.
“I am here to facilitate, but I will also get in your face when things aren’t done right. I always hope to see all of your faces at graduation.” A pause. “I doubt that will happen.”
She spells out the rules: Only two excused absences–any more, and you’re out. The same goes for being late or not turning in homework, which is to be done nightly.
Proper work attire is required. No funky “club” or “hanging-out-on-the-corner” attire. Only one ring per hand. For men, no hats, no earrings, no cornrows, ponytails or other extreme hair styles. For women, earrings must be no larger than a quarter.
If Bland-Winbush and her co-instructor, Theresa Rodgers, seem overly demanding and unsympathetic, there’s a reason.
“We strive to replicate the workplace,” Bland-Winbush says. “All a boss cares about is that you put a smile on his face and money in his pocket. If you’re an employee who’s a problem or difficult to manage–you will not be an employee.”
Bland-Winbush directs a man to remove his earring. He’s slow in complying.
“Getting this off is hard,” he complains. “I’m serious.”
“So am I,” she says. “Leave the room, and come back when you’ve removed that earring.” He obeys–but he won’t stay the course.
“I’m a mother of three–18, 17 and 10. I’m 35 now. I have no job history. I used to live in Robert Taylor Homes until the day three years ago when I seen this young man shooting dice, and I saw him get killed. That was something that really frightened me, really scared me, so I moved out that next week. To Milwaukee, to give my children a chance to grow up in a healthy, safe environment. We’re back, and I’m down on my luck right now. Things couldn’t get no worse. And if I am lucky enough to find a job, I will work at it the best that I can. Because I want my family to have a nice home environment, something that we never really got a chance to have.”
Another STRIVE client
It’s the end of the second week, and Cycle 86 is down to 25 women and 2 men; that’s a 43 percent dropout rate, about normal. Leading causes: Child care arrangements fall through; unforeseen personal problems; the instructors’ tough talk.
This morning, the class drills on meeting interviewers with smiles, handshakes and introductions. Two lines are formed, and one by one, all greet Bland-Winbush and Rodgers.
Bland-Winbush: “Smile and come forward, extend your hand. Do not smirk! Smile! No! Look at Re-Re (Thereia Reed). She’s waving her arm while she walks to me. Get back in line, Re-Re. Next!
“No! You’re looking down. Make eye contact! Next.
“That’s not a firm handshake. I don’t want a dead hand. Give me a firm, strong handshake. Again.
“Helen Manning, Perfect!
The class applauds.
STRIVE was founded in 1985 with private funds in an East Harlem public housing project in New York City and now operates in five cities. After clients complete its workshops, they are linked to job-placement counselors–many of them STRIVE alumni–who assist them in their job search, often putting them in touch with potential employers who have become satisfied STRIVE customers. STRIVE closely tracks its graduates for two years and makes all its services available to them in perpetuity.
The results have been impressive, and with heightened scrutiny of such programs after last year’s congressional overhaul of the nation’s welfare system, STRIVE has emerged as a leading model for moving people from government payouts to private payrolls.
Over the last five years, STRIVE reports, it has placed 14,000 persons in jobs, noting that follow-up studies show 80 percent still working after two years– a startling figure. In Chicago, of 1,500 graduates, some 1,100 hold jobs, with 73 percent working after two years. The cost of the training and job placement ranges from $1,500 to $1,800 per person, STRIVE says–far less than most programs.
“Long ago, I had dreams of being successful. But through the years, those dreams became nightmares. Soon a child was born. All at once I found myself turning toward welfare, only as a means to help my child. For a few years or less. It’s hard being a teenage mother. My dream of completing high school was shattered. It seemed that I could never be what I wanted to be. Well, I stand here before you today to say: Many years and five children later, it’s never too late to continue your dream, no matter how big or small that dream may be.”
STRIVE client
Clients are asked to compose a list of the hardest things they’ve had to do, their three greatest achievements, three of their goals and 10 adjectives that they, family members and friends think best describe them.
Some of the hardest things? “Taking care of my sick mother.” “Raising kids.” “Giving birth.” “Fixing a refrigerator.”
Goals: “To be more open,” “Not so shy,” “Look people in the eye,” “Not to be afraid to ask people questions.”
Greatest achievements:
Josie Clark: “To have finished high school. Put every effort I had for my two children to go to school, and one has finished high school and the other is on his way. To finish whatever I start.”
Sheryl Wilson: “Getting my high school diploma. No unwanted pregnancies. In reasonable health.”
Alyce Coleman: “Raising my children on my own. Returning back to school. Going on with the STRIVE program.”
Ten adjectives:
Toni Frazier: “Honest. Hard working. Prompt. Flexible.” Naomi Montgomery: “Responsible. Reliable. Energetic. Patient. Helpful.”
Another day is devoted to four-minute speeches clients have written about their lives (excerpts from four appear in this article).
The assignments are designed not only to have people who began as strangers get to know each other, but also to build self-esteem, encourage goal-setting and foster confidence that there’s a place for them in the workplace.
“We spend some time talking about their skills in survival,” says STRIVE executive director Steve Redfield. “These people have overcome obstacles and crises, they’ve had successes, they live on incredibly tight budgets and some are very organized. We’ve helped them discover things they take for granted, things they have done that are going to be important. Some are very positive, and often they haven’t thought about these positive things about themselves.”
“I’m 30, and I have a 4-year-old daughter. I’ve never worked before. I have no job, no nothing. This is my fault, because when I got out of high school I just fooled around. All my life I’ve just been taking care of the home, my mother and everybody else. I know I want to be a cook. I love to cook. I cook every meal for everybody. I know I need more training. I just really want to achieve, so my daughter and I can have a future. I want to be able to pay my own bills and make a better person out of myself.”
A STRIVE client
The third week focuses on writing resumes, filling out applications, exercises in conflict resolution and teamwork–and preparing for and practicing job interviews.
Bland-Winbush: “You can’t get a job without an interview. Getting the interview takes work and organization, and so does preparing for it.
“The job doesn’t go to the best qualified. It’s the person who does best on the interview. Employers tell us the first 10 seconds is the key! Employers size you up when you walk in the room! You do the same thing. When you’re out on the street or in a store, and you see somebody, you size them up right away.”
She distributes the results of a poll of employers; the finding was that 80 percent of hiring decisions are based on how people present themselves, labeled “packaging” — their appearance– and “responsiveness” — how they answer questions. (The breakdown: Packaging, 45 percent; responsiveness, 35 percent; experience, 10 percent; miscellaneous factors, 10 percent.)
Bland-Winbush: “This is something you can control. You can nail 80 percent of your interview. Make eye contact. Smile. Approach in a confident, non-threatening way. And give the answers you’ve worked on–clearly and confidently.”
Last night’s homework assignment was to write and rehearse replies to what STRIVE says are 30 of the most common questions asked in interviews.
Again, everyone lines up along the walls and takes turns.
First in line is Angela Lake. The smile, handshake and introduction are perfect. All that practice has paid off.
Lake: “I’m here to apply for the cashier’s position.”
Bland-Winbush: “Tell me something about yourself, Angela.”
Lake: “I’m dependable, I like to work. . . . “
Bland-Winbush: “Too fast. Slow it down. Again.”
Lake: “I’m dependable. . . . “
Bland-Winbush: “Not quieter. Slower.”
Wendy Sutton, who’s applying for a hotel housekeeping position, is next.
Bland-Winbush: “Have you had any experience, Miss Sutton?”
Sutton: “No, I haven’t.”
Bland-Winbush halts the interview and addresses the class: “After saying she had no experience, she should have talked about the kind of relevant skills she does have. For instance: `I haven’t had a job as a housekeeper, but I have good time-management skills. I get my kids up every morning and ready for school.’ Since you have no experience, you want me to know you’re motivated and dependable and you want to grow with the company, that kind of thing.”
STRIVE doesn’t teach specialized skills for specific jobs, as some programs do; rather, it emphasizes the intangibles that employers have told researchers they value more than job skills–qualities such as dependability, motivation, an upbeat attitude and a capacity for teamwork.
Bland-Winbush ends the session with a pep talk: “Do your homework. The best job is your first job! You don’t have to like it. Just do it. The second job will come easier because you have some experience.”
To mix metaphors, STRIVE’s philosophy is to get a foot in the employment door no matter what the pay, then move up the ladder.
On the Monday of the fourth week, Cycle 86 takes a field trip to the Loop and North Michigan Avenue to test what the workshop clients have learned by having them apply for jobs at various stores, hotels and government agencies.
Naomi Montgomery reports she applied at 10 offices and had two interviews. Angela Caldwell says the real interview she had was far easier than the workshop interviews. “I feel I did so good. I had such a good feeling,” she says. “The woman said, `I’ll look over your application, and I’ll get back to you in two weeks.’ I felt like I did it! I know now I can do it! I felt so good!”
On graduation day, the 27 persons who made it through the program receive diplomas. Toni Frazier has been chosen by her classmates to make the valedictory speech.
She praises Bland-Winbush and Rodgers: “At first I thought Cheryl was the Wicked Witch of the East. But I thank you for making me pull my positive strength above sea level.” Weeping, she hugs Bland-Winbush.
Later, Frazier tells a reporter: “That first day I was geared up, but then I heard (Bland-Winbush’s) attitude, and I’m like, `I hate her. I hate her.’ But Cheryl Winbush has taught me to look within myself and to find what I need. She’s a beautiful person.”
Bland-Winbush has the last word: “We looked at our strengths and our weaknesses, and we talked honestly about these things. I am very proud of you. I think you are strong, strong. You have some serious momentum going now. You are not finished. You are just beginning.”
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(In a subsequent article, Tempo will report on how the Cycle 86 clients fare in the workplace.)
