July 2026
Rolling out our new intern program!
Dear Friends,
The path to employment is not as simple as filling out an application or showing up for an interview. For many of our neighbors, it often involves replacing a lost ID, finding transportation, rebuilding confidence after months (or years) of instability, learning how to talk about past barriers with a potential employer, and having someone believe in them before they fully believe in themselves.
That's why we have launched an updated Internship Program — Three weeks designed to create a stronger, more intentional pathway from hands-on work experience to long-term employment.
This program is more than a temporary paycheck. It is about helping people build the skills, structure, and confidence needed to take their next steps.
Interns:
Work 3 days week with Community Beautification
Complete skill-building classes focused on workforce readiness
And receive:
A weekly stipend
Enrollment support with Goodwill Job Connections
Assistance with obtaining required identification
Ongoing guidance from an employment specialist
We've witnessed the possibilities.
One recent participant came to Cultivate Initiatives, unsure of whether they were ready to return to work. Through the internship, they gained hands-on work experience, consistently worked on the Community Beautification team, built trust with team members, and collaborated with an Employment Specialist to prepare for external opportunities. By the end of the program, they not only felt ready to look for work — they believed they had something valuable to offer.
This significant shift matters.
Congratulations to our recent grads!
Participating in our Internship Program means saying YES. Yes to a new beginning. Yes to believing that your life and circumstances can change. Yes to community.
This July, we are proud to celebrate eight neighbors in the first graduating class of our newly redesigned Internship Program—with a 100% graduation rate! Their achievement is a powerful example of what becomes possible when communities are safe, supportive, and full of opportunity. To our graduates, neighbors, donors, and community: you did this. Together, we said yes—and this is only the beginning...
Thanks to YOU, we can continue operating initiatives that meet people where they are while helping them move toward stability, dignity, and opportunity.
Your generosity helps fund intern training, mentorship, stipends, employment support, and the day-to-day care that allows participants to keep showing up. Together, we can move toward lasting change.
With gratitude,
Cultivate Initiatives
