By Lori Ramos, Vice President
Center for Training and Careers
Many organizations struggle to keep in touch with their clients once they have graduated from their programs, yet participant follow-up is one of the most important reporting outcomes demanded by funders. Maintaining communication with participants tells funders how well their money was utilized, whether students are able to find meaningful employment, and how participants are doing after three months, six months, or even a year. Ultimately, such detailed information can play a decisive role in enabling an organization to secure additional funding in the future.
Like most organizations, the Center for Training and Careers (CTC) wants its clients to succeed in their training programs and jobs after graduation. Thus, we created an alumni association that helps maintain contact with its former graduates, keeping them coming back for resources, support, and encouragement as they weather the demands of life. A 33-year-old community-based organization, CTC provides participants with job skills and training in various industries to help them find gainful employment and become productive members of the society. CTC offers GED classes and education in computers, green jobs, health care careers, and basic construction skills.
Every participant that graduates from CTC is automatically enrolled in the CTC alumni association. Unlike school, college, and university alumni associations, enrollment in CTC’s association is absolutely free—participants are simply required to update their contact information annually. This helps CTC staff communicate upcoming events, new training programs, opportunities to upgrade their skills, job fairs, and other workforce events that might be of interest to their former participants.
In addition to the above mentioned services, CTC alumni also receive a weekly food bag provided by Second Harvest, a local food pantry, and free toys for their kids during Christmas from Toys for Tots. They also receive special recognition at events when they have completed one, five, and ten years of membership.
CTC’s alumni association has immensely helped CTC by serving two considerably different but equally important organizational needs: maintaining contact with its program graduates and meeting grant reporting requirements. Furthermore, creation of this alumni network and being able to follow participants, has helped CTC measure its impact in the community and demonstrate the success of their programs. This has further strengthened their position with their funders and the community.