Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach Receives Grant for Life Skills Training

Capital One recently awarded Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach (mtko.org) a $10,000 grant to support Life Skills Training. This grant is part of the company’s national Future Edge initiative focused on investing in programs to help people and communities succeed in the 21st century.

The Life Skills Training Program is a four-week series on parenting, being a good tenant, employment, and money management. Classes are held at Matt Talbot on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. with Matt Talbot providing overall coordination and local experts in human services and banking facilitating the classes. To eliminate barriers to attendance, transportation and child care are offered. The Life Skills Training Program started in 2001 and has nearly 1,000 graduates. Twenty-four classes (six full series) were held last year with 46 students. Over 80% of students successfully completed all four classes.

Participants in the Life Skills Program are generally working toward transitioning from a treatment facility or temporary shelter into an independent living environment. The classes are designed to help participants gain self-sufficiency, improve employment status, reduce the likelihood of chronic homelessness, and decrease instances of social isolation. Students learn new skills every week that promote positive, healthy outcomes. The small group atmosphere encourages camaraderie, trust, sharing, and celebration for collective success in completing the program. Learn more at mtko.org.