Two summers ago, Sakeema Dallas and her three children arrived at Bethany House, a Northern Virginia emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence.

Struggling and out of work, Dallas had retail management experience but hadn’t worked full time since 2004. She knew she needed a job to earn money to support her kids, ages 1, 2 and 11.

A case manager encouraged Dallas to apply for an innovative workforce-training program, which Dallas now says changed her life.

Her road to success began at the Training Futures program, a partnership between the Oakton-based nonprofit social service agency Northern Virginia Family Service and Northern Virginia Community College. 

"Training Futures lived up to its name," Dallas said. "It gave me exactly what I needed to grow and succeed in a new career."

Training Futures, founded in 1996, prepares low-income, unemployed or underpaid Northern Virginia residents to make the move from dead-end jobs or sporadic employment to stable, professional office careers that provide livable wages, benefits and opportunities. To date, more than 1,000 residents have benefited from the program.

Training Futures, which last month won an Aramark award that came with a $20,000 donation, provides clients a 25-week training program in a simulated office environment to learn computer skills, business English, business math and business communication skills.

Northern Virginia Community College awards 17 credit hours for students who complete the training.  Those students would only need three more semesters to receive an associate’s degree. 

The collaboration with the school is critical, said Sharon LeGrande, the NVFS' Director of Workforce Development and Self-Sufficiency Programs. The way out of poverty for her clients, she said, is through higher education

“Our clients often come with job skills from retail, fast food and housekeeping, but none of those fields paid a living wage, “ LeGrande said. “The vehicle to improve upon those skills is job training and the college credits provided by Training Futures."

Dr. Robert G. Templin Jr., Northern Virginia Community College president, said he strongly supports his institutions' collaboration. He pointed out that Training Futures provides Northern Virginia businesses with highly motivated adults who are committed to enhancing their skill levels even after they leave the training program. 

"It is a win for business, a win for the community, and a victory for the individual,” he said.

Like many Training Future applicants, Dallas had no office skills when she started, but upon graduation she was ready to intern with Inova Health System. Two months after completing her internship, her supervisor strongly recommended her for a permanent position in patient registration. She just completed her first year of full-time employment with full benefits including health insurance, vacation days and paid holidays.

“My intern supervisor called and told them I was a crackerjack” she said happily. 

Interested candidates must be at or above a middle school level (seventh grade) for reading, writing, comprehension and speaking English. Applicants answer three written essay questions, have a formal interview and take two timed English and math tests. 

Training Futures recently received the "Building Community Innovation Workforce Readiness Award" from Aramark,  the international, multi-purpose company that locally serves concessions for concertgoers at Jiffy Lube Live in Bristow, and food service and uniforms at Virginia Hospital Center.

Aramark’s vice president for community relations, Bev Dribin, said that while community centers and groups like NVFS are experts at strengthening local communities, their work is often difficult to identify and share. 

“We are investing in and recognizing National Virginia Family Service to support their success and to share their best practices with other groups across the country,” Dribin said. The award came with a $20,000 donation.

LeGrande said it was particularly gratifying to be recognized nationally and hopes the program's success can be replicated across the country. She expressed gratitude to all the Training Futures’ donors. 

Dallas collected a book full of inspirational quotes during the training. 

“Not only do I repeat them to my daughter, but I keep the book right on my computer desk now and read it often."