Preparing youth for Life and Work through mindful communication practices and job-readiness skills.
Program Description
LifeWork is a 12-week one-on-one coaching and certification program for Indiana’s Lake County youth (ages 14-18) to gain aptitude in life practices and job-readiness skills. The program presents struggles as strengtheners and mistakes as lessons learned. Clients learn to communicate their best self with performance tools, awareness practices, vision stories, goal setting, and daily planning. The program exposes clients to “strength-complementary” vocations, provides opportunities to learn new job and life skills, and learn from supportive trades and business partners.
LifeWork’s mission is to provide youth mindful communication coaching to improve economic, domestic, and social stability. The program cultivates a sense of purpose, belonging and value through development of trust, awareness, vision, hands-on job and life skills, and exposure to supportive business and trade professionals.
Clients receive a LifeWork Certificate of Graduation when they complete all 12 LifeWork coaching sessions and at least three approved skills workshops. If clients complete more than three skills workshops before the end of their 12-week program, they will receive a LifeWork Certificate of Graduation with Honors. Graduates are supported post-program with referrals, resume writing, interview preparation, and general career navigation.
LifeWork is a vocational program by TCB Communications, LLC, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE), a Geminus Community Partner, and approved provider for Indiana’s Department of Child Services.
Curriculum
- Week 1: Exploring Your Strengths
- Week 2: Self-Discovery / Journaling / Expressive Writing
- Week 3: Practices of Positive Self-Imagery
- Week 4: Improving Thought and Behavior Through Performance Tools and Meditation
- Week 5: The Practice of Awareness: Perspective, Mirroring, and Respect
- Week 6: Manifesting Your Vocation: Your Vision and How to Get There
- Week 7: Purposeful Life: Planning and Goal Setting
- Week 8: Presenting Professionally
- Week 9: Communicating Your Best Self: Interview Basics
- Week 10: Job Expectations: Safety, Ethics, and Business Etiquette
- Week 11: Mock Interview with LifeWork Business Partner
- Week 12: Live and Work with Purpose: Goal Setting and Post-Program Support
Success Through Northwest Indiana Professional Partnerships
LifeWork benefits the Northwest Indiana economic community by developing local youth to be high performers in life and work. Proficient local talent and stable communities attract new businesses to NWI. We work with local trade unions and businesses to develop mindful hiring and training practices, encourage mentoring, internships and job opportunities for LifeWork graduates. LifeWork Professional Partners participate as workshop facilitators, mock interviewers, and program supporters, and are recognized with a Certificate of LifeWork Partnership.
Why LifeWork Works
LifeWork is based on transformative communication focusing on practices of awareness of self, others, and community. The program infuses a higher sense of purpose for participants. It is this sense of purpose and a practice of mindfulness that promotes better choices and effective communication. This program goes beyond learning career skills for the sole purpose of attaining and retaining a job. LifeWork encourages thoughtful consideration as to what our best self looks like, how we can contribute through vocation, mindful practices, and community support to keep us on track and growing. The LifeWork program taps into the human desire for a life of purpose, a sense of being needed and valued within the context of friends, family, and community.