Volunteers of America Massachusetts
Volunteers of America, Massachusetts (VOAMASS) has been partnering with Bounce Global since 2021. VOAMASS currently holds a license to deliver The Bounce Program™ to job seekers enrolled in its programs in the greater Boston area of Massachusetts, United States.
VOAMASS is dedicated to serving those most in need, especially the vulnerable and those facing multiple challenges. Their work touches the mind, body, heart, and ultimately the spirit of those they serve, integrating their deep compassion with highly effective programs and services.
VOAMASS staff work with the most disadvantaged and excluded members of their community to provide services through an integrative services model that provides pathways for program participants into sustainable employment.
In partnership with MassHire Metro South/West, one of the sixteen regional career centres located across the state of Massachusetts, VOAMASS offers a weekly Bounce training workshop for jobseekers in their JobsPlus program.
VOAMASS has implemented the following programs in partnership with Bounce:
The Bounce Program™
for their clients.
Brittany Raposa, who manages the JobsPlus program for VOAMASS, facilitates the training for two hours each week, across six weeks, for jobseekers who are unable to commit to a full week of training.
“The Bounce training content introduces critical concepts for jobseekers to consider before they form their plan and set their goals related to employment. The jobseekers I serve who take the time to discover their values and beliefs to get clarity on their intrinsic motivation have more confidence and focus on pursuing opportunities that align with their skills and interests.”
What’s it like to
be in a Bounce Program?
Recently, VOAMASS has coordinated with other MassHire Career Centres that offer Bounce training to share training schedules and referrals to increase the number of jobseekers we can reach with this important content.
Here’s what Bounce Program participant Dapheline had to say about here experience with the program…
“Participating in Bounce training was exceptionally helpful, considering what I was going through at the time. I was unemployed, homeless and in a lot of debt. I was in one of the worst spaces of my life. I felt lost, alone and defeated. I didn’t have anyone I could count on. I was, after all, the one everyone depended on. I had no professional network and no support system to help me navigate through my hobbies or professional interests. When I started attending the Bounce training, I was very grateful to see that there were groups of people that have dedicated their time, effort and resources to help me. I needed this support.
Bounce helped me focus and understand my emotional struggles, which helped me change my mindset. I felt empowered and daring. I dared to disrupt my norm and go for what I aspired to, and I was rewarded for it. I decided to change my career. As scary as it was for me to embark on a new career with little to no information about that world - I pushed forward. I started with the basics - my joy - which is helping people, so I started a career in customer service after being in the legal field for most of my career. I accepted a job as a Human Services Assistant (HSA). Less than a year later, I am now a Self Sufficient Specialist (SSS). All thanks to the growth mindset I learned in Bounce.”
- Dapheline B. Bounce participant.
Over the last three years, more than 40 jobseekers have participated in Bounce training through VOAMASS. Additionally, 37 VOAMASS staff members have taken the training to familiarise themselves with the content that their program will be delivering to clients. We are excited to continue training both jobseekers and staff while expanding our reach across all VOAMASS programs. We recognise the value Bounce brings to the programs and services we offer, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds for our partnership with Bounce Global.