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STRIVE Boston is a Workforce Readiness and Development program that provides job training, coaching, and employment services. We envision a world where everyone has the opportunity to achieve economic self-sufficiency, dignity, and a promising future. STRIVE Boston helps people with barriers to employment realize their potential to find and keep jobs that promise sustainable livelihoods and personal growth. Please note that the majority of our services are now being offered virtually. STRIVE services are free of charge. In-person services are provided by appointment at our JRI Health office, which is located at 555 Amory Street, Suite 2 in Jamaica Plain.
At a Glance
This service is for
Focus: STRIVE Boston helps people with barriers to employment realize their potential to find and keep jobs that promise sustainable livelihoods and personal growth.
Who would benefit from STRIVE? Young adults just starting out in the job market, people coming out of incarceration, people looking to change careers or come back into the job market after raising children.
STRIVE welcomes people of all genders and identifications.
Let's Connect
Taron Tibbs
Program Manager
(617) 825-1800
ttibbs@jri.org
STRIVE's Programs
STRIVE START Program
The START program (serving adults and young adults 18+) is a five-week virtual training program where participants meet in a small online class for 1.5 hours each day. Topics include professional development, attitudes, perceptions and stereotypes, writing resumes and thank-you notes, interviewing techniques, how to search for employment, coping with rejection, professional dress, and financial literacy. Other curriculum components include vocabulary work, writing assignments, participation in mock interviews as well as GED/Hi-SET coursework offered in collaboration with our community partner X-Cel Education.
After completing the online course, graduates enter into Jobs Club and work with an employment specialist on job search until employment is secured. STRIVE has employer partners in several pathways including Healthcare, Human Services, and Customer Service. Support services includes case management, job placement and follow up services. Participants have the opportunity to earn up to $500 in stipends and incentives for participating in the STRIVE START program.
Enrollment is ongoing.
Complete the START program inquiry form.
Career Pathways
Career Pathways is a program by STRIVE Boston that begins with a 3-week pre-employment training, followed by hands-on career training and job placement in fields like healthcare, education, food service, and more. Participants can choose a 90-day paid internship at Brigham and Women’s Hospital or a 6–12 week hard-skills training in roles such as Certified Nursing Assistant, Central Sterile Technician, or Pharmacy Technician, all with starting pay between $17–$23 per hour. To be eligible, applicants must be 18+, reside in the Boston area, be authorized to work in the U.S., have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be able to commit to the full training schedule.
Re-Entry Program
People coming out of incarceration often need to find work quickly and face additional challenges. Our Reentry Program includes an accelerated job readiness course and connections to area employers with CORI friendly jobs. For more information please contact: Hewitt Joyner at hjoyner@jri.org or (774) 994-7283.
START Program Interest Form (Ages 18+)
Donate to STRIVE to help people in your community.
STRIVE Boston
Learn more about the STRIVE Future Leaders and STRIVE Start program. Hear directly from the staff and clients on how the program works.
Taron Tibbs
Program Manager
Taron Tibbs graduated from Suffolk University Sawyer Business School in 2016. Taron was hired at STRIVE Boston as a Microsoft Office Specialist Trainer in 2012 and in 2018 got promoted by JRI to Senior Trainer for the STRIVE START Program in Boston. He is currently the Program Manager and oversees all of STRIVE's programming. "He enjoys helping people in his community and making a difference."
Evelyn Velasquez
Case Manager
Evelyn Velasquez is a Case Manager/Employment Specialist; more importantly, she is a STRIVE START graduate. She has been with STRIVE for over a year and is passionate about seeing our clients succeed and keeping our programs running. She believes in our mission and creating a space where people can be vulnerable in order to grow. Her own success has brought her to be a part of the same team that was always available and reached out to her when they saw an opportunity that she would flourish in. We are thrilled that she is now a part of the STRIVE Team.
Hewitt Joyner III
Re-Entry Facilitator/Case Manager
Hewitt Joyner has worked as a 1990’s Streetworker, Streetworker Program Manager, A COO for the Aquarius Project, the Director-New Bedford Shannon/SSYI and Facilitator/Case Manager for STRIVE Boston. Hewitt Joyner created the Three C’s which an impulsivity reduction training, focusing on changing impulsive thinkers to critical thinkers. The 3 C’s was executed and evaluated in San Jose, Hayward, Gilroy and in Oakland California as well as New Bedford, Mass. It stems from two of Boston’s juvenile operations from the 90’s, the Street worker Program & Operation Cease-Fire initiative. Cease Fire was a program that literally halted the juvenile gun homicide rate in Boston for two and half years. In 2008, this program was considered a Best Practices Program by the Department of Justice.
Since inception, the Three C's has been successfully trained proven risk youth/adults on critical thinking and positive life skill habits to youth/adults ranging from elementary school age to incarcerated gang members.
STRIVE Boston has a collaboration with the South Bay House of Corrections to provide rapid reentry/professional development trainings. Hewitt Joyner is the facilitator/case manager and has incorporated the 3 C’s into the trainings.
Devon Hill
Case Manager
Devon Hill graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a bachelor's of science in Counseling Psychology and has worked as the Career Pathways Case Manager since August 2024. Throughout his time with STRIVE, he has worked to provide job placement opportunities for all Career Pathways participants and believes that the soft skills are just as important as the hard skills when it comes to stepping back into the workforce. His experience working with diverse populations gives him the scope to provide support and resources to all individuals that seek them.
Jacob Lisa
Rapid Re-Entry Case Manager
Jacob Lisa is the Rapid Re-Entry Case Manager at STRIVE Boston, where he supports individuals transitioning out of incarceration by providing guidance, resources, and advocacy as they rebuild their lives. Before joining STRIVE, Jacob earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Northeastern University, graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. His academic focus included minors in criminal justice, behavioral neuroscience, and health psychology, reflecting a deep commitment to understanding the full context of his clients' experiences. What drives Jacob's work is a genuine connection to the individuals he serves and a belief in their potential. Witnessing clients take meaningful steps forward inspires him to continue growing personally and professionally so he can support them in the best way possible.
Yadhira Tapia-Velazquez
Administrative Assistant
Yadhira Tapia is thrilled to be part of an organization dedicated to giving back to the community and empowering individuals to achieve their goals. With a background in healthcare, she brings compassion to her role as an administrative assistant. Holding an Associate's Degree in Human Services she is passionate about supporting the wellbeing of others.
In 2019, I lost my job in the insurance industry. I knew about STRIVE Boston and decided to check it out. The day that I walked into their location happened to be the first day of orientation for the START program so I decided to enroll. I didn’t realize how valuable the program would be. On the last week of the program, employers visited STRIVE and we had the chance to talk with them about career opportunities. I submitted my resume for a Residential Counselor position at Pelham Academy, which is a school of JRI. I was hired for an Assistant Supervisor position and was recently promoted to Supervisor at PATH! I always wanted to work in the human services field and I really enjoy working with the residents, staff, and administration at Pelham Academy and PATH as we collectively help prepare them to go back out into the world.
Adrienne Mitchell
STRIVE Graduate
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