This Saturday, at the 2100 Building, Solid Ground Stabilization Services case managers will host a day-long Soft Skills Workshop series, designed to teach classes on budgeting, communication, conflict resolution, and other skills.

This workshop series was established by Celestine Berrysmith, who, along with other case managers, identified the development of practical knowledge as significant means to success, such as:

• Finding, retaining, and improving employment
• Navigating successful housing search and tenancy
• Understanding credit and budgeting/prioritizing funds
• Communicating effectively with children and adult family, etc.

These resources are crucial but not always accessible to those who may need them the most. Through this day of classes, Celestine and her fellow case managers support participants in gaining and strengthening skills to move the family unit forward.

Our Stabilization Services team finds this work to be enormously rewarding to the community as well as to themselves, and they speak passionately about their motivations for pursuing the project. These case managers work directly with clients who have faced enormous trauma such as violence, abuse and discrimination that directly affects all aspects of their daily lives. They actively seek to dismantle systems of oppression and institutional racism, and educate members of the community in overcoming their adversities.

“I have seen a tremendous impact on past participants positively in gaining knowledge to support finding and maintaining employment. Three participants found employment after attending the past soft skills workshop! Also, evaluations have been all positive as to the learning and effects of the workshops. Ultimately, the peer-to-peer learning atmosphere is a powerful learning environment!!!”

Participants receive breakfast and lunch, childcare, and transportation to help clear any obstacles in participating in the workshops. These workshops serve as a safe space and an accessible forum to not only improve upon certain skillsets, but also to foster individual strengths that will build confidence and self-esteem.

Recognizing that these workshops are just one day in a lifetime of continuous growth and learning, Celestine and her team hope to build sustainable skills among communities of color and low-income families so they can support and empower one another to thrive.

To RSVP: Contact Celestine at 206.694.6808 or celestineb@solid-ground.org.