Agencies teaming up on upgrading program

Two leading social service agencies are collaborating to deliver an education upgrading program, supplemented by supports that participants may need in other areas of their life.

Catholic Family Service and CUPS say the program will provide a higher level of service for those in need, while streaming delivery.

“We started with wondering about the possibilities if we started working together to leverage the strengths of each organization and how that could dramatically increase the odds for families and communities to build resilience for generations,” says Patricia Jones, CEO of Catholic Family Service.

The collaboration combines the success of Catholic Family Service’s Never Too Late program with myriad dynamic services offered by CUPS.

Never Too Late was started in 2005 to provide vulnerable adults with easy access to a high school equivalency program.

The new collaboration now gives Never Too Late students quick access to the services available through CUPS, addressing issues such as poverty, food access, child care, trauma and emotional support.

“We’re doing what we can to provide every opportunity for individuals and families to access services barrier-free, so we can meet people where they’re at and give them every chance of success, without having to find the right agency,” said CUPS executive director Carlene Donnelly.

The two agencies publicly unveiled the program Tuesday.

Thirty students are accessing the new collaborative program and will be writing their high school equivalency exams in just over four months, while receiving services from both agencies.