Hope Initiative - Cao Of Wny

The Harnessing Opportunities Pursuing Employment (HOPE) Initiative is a pilot program that aims to support and mentor income-eligible unemployed and underemployed individuals in Buffalo as they navigate towards job opportunities and enhance their economic stability. The program focuses on helping participants secure or maintain employment while progressing in their careers and overcoming financial obstacles. Key areas of emphasis include financial literacy, workforce development, and personal and professional goal setting. Each participant is paired with a Life Coach to tackle personal challenges and a Career Coach to create career plans and establish goals. Participants who are income-eligible and receiving social service benefits will retain their benefits during their time in the program.

Intake Procedure: Interested individuals should fill out the pre-screening form online at: https://www.caowny.org/hope. After submission, those who qualify will be contacted to arrange an appointment with a coach to finalize their application. Required documentation includes proof of income for all adults in the household (such as paystubs, SSI/SSD award letters, pension statements, child support, etc.), identification for all household members (like birth certificates, SS cards, or health insurance cards), photo ID for adults (driver's license, non-driver ID, passport, etc.), and proof of residency (which can be a rental agreement, utility bill, or bank statement showing the current address).

Fees: No cost.