With a track record of moving tens of thousands of adults from poverty-level jobs into living wage careers, the West/Southwest IAF Labor Market Intermediary Programs are a testament to the power of organized people to deliver economic mobility. Last week, directors from seven of these programs participated in the Workforce Directors Convening in Houston:

• VIDA (Rio Grande Valley)
• Project QUEST (San Antonio)
• Capital IDEA (Central Texas)
• Capital IDEA (Houston)
• Project ARRIBA (El Paso)
• NOVA Workforce Institute of Northeast Louisiana
• Arizona Career Pathways

“We shared organizational updates, discussed workforce development trends, and explored our collective goals for the communities we serve,” said Felida Villarreal, VIDA President & CEO.

The group also toured Houston Community College Colemen College for Health Sciences, the only community college located within the Texas Medical Center.

Originally designed by future program participants, West/Southwest IAF Labor Intermediary Programs have from their inception focused on career development - not just job placement. By working closely with business leaders and providing wrap-around services that support participants through personal, financial, and emotional barriers, these programs successfully support adults to secure high-demand occupations and achieve true economic self-sufficiency.

Mercedes-Based VIDA Strengthens Workforce Development Across the Region, Texas Border Business [pdf]