Building Economic Stability through Job Training and Support Services

Career Path Services is a Washington based nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the spirit of poverty through the dignity of work. For more than fifty years, we have partnered with communities, employers, and state agencies to help individuals overcome barriers to employment and achieve economic stability. Our mission is simple but powerful: to create equitable access to opportunity so that all people, regardless of background, have the tools and support to thrive through meaningful work. Our purpose is breaking the spirit of poverty, through the dignity of work.

Each year we serve more than six thousand individuals across twenty counties through an integrated network of employment, training, and income stabilization programs. Our service model blends public funding with private philanthropy to meet people where they are. Participants range from young adults seeking their first professional role to adults rebuilding after unemployment, housing insecurity, or other disruptions. Our staff provide one on one career coaching, access to training, and barrier removal supports that lead to measurable outcomes in employment, income, and self-sufficiency.

This grant from the Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation will expand access to our workforce training and reemployment programs, particularly the BankWork$ and CareerWork$ Medical initiatives. These programs provide eight weeks of tuition free, high-quality training that connects individuals from low income and underrepresented backgrounds to careers in the banking and healthcare administration sectors. Participants learn customer service, communication, financial literacy, and digital skills while building confidence and professional networks through employer engagement and mock interviews. Graduates transition directly into positions with regional employers such as U.S. Bank, Washington Federal, and Seattle Children’s Hospital, earning starting wages of $20 per hour or more.

Since 2018, more than 220 individuals have completed our CareerWork$ programs in the Puget Sound region, achieving an 80 percent graduation rate and 70 percent employment placement rate. Over 65 percent of graduates retain employment after six months, often advancing into higher paying positions that include health benefits and long-term stability. Many report being the first in their families to hold a professional role or to move beyond hourly work.

The grant will also strengthen our Basic Food Employment and Training program, which provides individualized coaching, job search assistance, and essential supports for those who are not yet enrolled in a formal training cohort. Through BFET, we serve more than 350 individuals each year who need stabilization services, transportation, childcare, or technology access before they are ready for employment or further education. Approximately 80 percent of BFET participants achieve successful employment outcomes or transition into advanced training within six months of enrollment. These services often make the difference between remaining stuck in poverty and taking the first step toward stability. Through federal reimbursement, every dollar of private philanthropy invested in BFET is matched one to one, doubling the reach and impact of each contribution.

Career Path Services has built a proven model that combines practical skill building with the human relationships and resources needed to sustain success. Graduates report improved financial confidence, reduced reliance on public assistance, and greater optimism about their futures. Local employers benefit from a skilled and motivated workforce ready to fill essential roles. Communities benefit from stronger families, higher household incomes, and more resilient local economies.

The Dudley T. Dougherty Foundation’s investment will make it possible for us to extend these opportunities to more individuals in need of a second chance or a first opportunity. Together, we can continue building a more inclusive and prosperous Washington; one person, one career, and one community at a time.