As part of the True Colors outreach programs, the Colby Olsen Foundation has created the
Colby Olsen Learn, Earn, Achieve, Dream (COLEAD) program.
This program is one of our many True Colors outreach programs, through partnerships with national and local businesses, non-profits, and government bodies within Southern Arizona.
The COLEAD program is an educational program to assist young adults within the LGBTQ+ community and their allies to help bridge these individuals with rewards in employment opportunities and boost their confidence in successfully competing for positions with industry leaders in our community.
Through a series of workshops and training sessions focusing on key foundational professional skills (e.g., resume writing, job interviews), this program will help individuals craft and refine their ability to stand out. In particular, participants of the COLEAD program will build their confidence, acquire key skills for job interviews and learn how:
· to find and research potential employers
· to build an outstanding cover letter and resume
· to manage their time efficiently
· to deal with different work situations through role-play exercises
Our first two workshops of the COLEAD program were hosted in the summer of 2019 and 2020 at the University of Arizona Health Sciences (College of Medicine). These workshops were a success with overwhelming student enrollment and support from local businesses and organizations. As a partnership with local and nationwide businesses and organizations, the COLEAD workshops are a win-win for both the participants and the businesses at the same time providing a unique safe learning environment for LGBTQ+ people and allies to build their self-esteem and acquire the required skills to find a job and contribute to the economy by providing qualified and trained new potential job candidates to local businesses.
Any student who attends participates and completes the COLEAD program has the opportunity to apply for a $500 scholarship. The Colby Olsen Foundation will provide 4 scholarships per year through the COLEAD program.
In November 2020 we were so excited to launch our high-quality, professional, digitally mastered COLEAD Program video workshops. We will have Eliza D. Yellow Bird (Interim Director of Student Services) and Tiffany Marie Sorrell (Learning Specialist Diversity and Inclusion) facilitating the COLEAD video workshops. We look forward to having local business leaders as part of our program. Each participant will share their knowledge of the interviewing process and what qualities and skills employers are looking for during the process. We will focus on these qualities and skills:
1) Communication skills
2) Honesty
3) Technical Competency
4) Work Ethic
5) Flexibility
6) Determination and Persistence
7) Ability to work in harmony with co-workers
8) Eager and willing to add to their knowledge base and skills
9) Problem-Solving Skills
10) Loyalty