Change Course looking to expand footprint to help connect people to careers

DES MOINES, Iowa — A non-profit that started two years ago is now looking for more community involvement to expand its impact on Iowans.

Change Course started back in 2022, offering free career training to those who had been incarcerated. Now the organization takes in those impacted by homelessness, addiction, etc. The non-profit holds a rigorous six-month class, with around 20 people participating. A class is set to graduate in November and a session will begin in December with more participants.

Change Course gives those who enroll a chance to hone leadership skills, professional and career development and financial literacy.

“It’s really just a large group of people that are looking to get ahead of drawbacks that they have experienced,” said Bradford Johnson, the Director of Communications for Change Course.

The non-profit is holding ‘A Night of Hope’ on November 12 to show community members, organizations and businesses what Change Course is about, and how they can help.

“We just want to give people an opportunity to come in and see just a taste of what that is and ultimately we have a lot of needs to and creating awareness for those needs is helpful so we can continue doing that work for the city,” said Johnson.

Johnson said that more than 80 people have enrolled in the class over the last couple of years, and 50 people have graduated from the program. After graduation, Change Course helps connect those individuals to careers in the area.

If you would like to learn more about Change Course visit the website or learn more about their upcoming event by clicking here.

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