Capital IDEA

Capital IDEA

By Kelsey Wilkinson Friday, 03 July 2009

In October Capital IDEA will celebrate 10 years of connecting the underemployed with jobs in the community. The organization, which began in 1998 with the help of Austin Interfaith, a coalition of churches and schools, aims to help working families rise out of poverty and secure specialized jobs in Central Texas.

“We work with a dual-customer approach,” said Dazzie McKelvy, deputy executive director of the organization in Round Rock. “We act as a bridge to solve those social problems in the community and bring them [the underemployed] together with needs in the workforce.”

Since graduating the first class of seven licensed vocational nurses in 2000, Capital IDEA has supported 650 graduates.

Through public funding and private donors, Capital IDEA sponsors complete training at Austin Community College, the University of Texas or other participating training facilities for its students. Each student receives career and financial counseling throughout the program and Capital IDEA funds additional costs, such as school supplies or childcare for its students.

Upon a student’s graduation, Capital IDEA works with local employers to find job opportunities with full benefits and opportunities for career growth. A research study released earlier this year by the University of Texas Ray Marshall Center found that graduates of Capital IDEA earn more money over time than graduates of similar programs.

“If you want to make real changes in people’s lives, you can’t do that in six weeks, or six months, or a year,” McKelvy said. “You need to give that next step. It takes time.”

One person who will celebrate Capital IDEA’s 10th anniversary is Ana Sanchez, who graduates as a registered nurse in December.

“I wouldn’t be here right now and have this opportunity if it wasn’t for Capital IDEA,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez excelled in the program and based on her progress received a full scholarship to continue her bachelor’s degree at the University of Texas in Arlington.

“Capital IDEA gave me that energy, the beginning of the path, and I just followed it,” she said. “It would have been harder without their help.”

A factor that distinguishes Capital IDEA from other programs is the staff. Many of the organization’s employees come from backgrounds similar to the students they serve.

“I think we have the most diverse staff of probably anybody,” McKelvy said. “It gives people the opportunity to be able to connect with someone. They know who they are and where they come from. We encourage our staff to be willing to share parts of their stories with students.”

Capital IDEA is using this approach for a new ambassadorship program aimed to draw more men to the organization; women make up 75 percent of Capital IDEA’s enrollment. Senior Employer Coordinator Ron Modesty is organizing the program.

“With other service organizations, women talk to each other to get help, [but] men don’t take a part of that,” Modesty said.

Capital IDEA continues to add new job opportunities to its list. The newest to appear are for video game designers and 911 emergency operators as well as opportunities in the emerging renewable energy field.

To qualify for Capital IDEA, candidates must be:

• at or below 200 percent of the poverty level
• at least 18 years old
• a Texas resident
• legal to work in the United States

Capital IDEA

• Round Rock branch — 401 W. Anderson Ave., Round Rock, 238-6992
• Central Texas headquarters — 504 Lavaca, Ste. 1008, Austin, 457-8610
• www.capitalidea.org