Denver Prepares Asylum Seekers to Enter the Workforce Leveraging Inclusive Communications Technology

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity Partners With Reachwell® To Ensure Newcomers are "WorkReady"

A woman is holding a baby and a little girl is sitting at a table.

An inclusive communications strategy is crucial across all programs aimed at bettering people’s lives to ensure everyone feels valued, understood, and included. How we communicate is particularly critical and challenging when the people we communicate with are newcomers from regions worldwide, speaking many different languages and dialects. Mayor Mike Johnston and Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) are modeling an inclusive communications strategy for workforce readiness when working with immigrants using ReachWell, and the entire nation is watching.

Since December 2022, Denver has assisted over 42,000 individuals from the southern border. Mayor Johnston’s strategy to address the migrant crisis focuses on long-term, comprehensive support, including workforce training, housing, food, transportation, and assistance with asylum applications. The WorkReady Denver Program, as part of the Denver Asylum Seekers Program (DASP), aims to equip newcomers with the skills and opportunities needed for legal employment, addressing labor shortages in various industries. The program, which recently began, will impact 800 children and adults, as many parents are among the 350 individuals already enrolled, marking a significant step toward integrating asylum seekers into the workforce enrolled in DASP, participating in the program for approximately six months until they receive federal work authorization.

“Time and time again, newcomers tell me what they want most is the ability to work and provide for their families,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “This program opens up training opportunities so individuals have the skills and education they need when they are legally able to enter the workforce. I’m so proud of our Denver Workforce Development team and our partners for stepping up to meet this need.”

Leveraging ReachWell®'s Inclusive Communications Platform

Effective communication is crucial for the success of workforce development programs, and this is where the ReachWell® communications platform comes into play. With the ability to deliver information in over 130 languages, ReachWell® ensures that all community members, including asylum seekers, have access to essential resources. “Strong communication is key to success in any program, but especially with this many moving parts,” said Newcomer Program Director Sarah Plastino. “ReachWell gives us the tools we need to keep the Denver Asylum Seekers Program on time, on track, and on message.”

Key Features of the ReachWell®

Accessibility in Over 130 Languages: Ensuring diverse community members can access information in their preferred language.
Clear Communication: Unlike social media platforms, ReachWell® delivers information without advertising algorithms, enhancing the user experience.
Privacy-Friendly: Users do not need to create an account or provide personal details such as their address or phone number.

“ReachWell® is designed to overcome barriers common in underserved communities, such as language translation and literacy, income and mobility, tech-literacy, and documentation status,” said Zuben Bastani, CEO and Founder of ReachWell®. “We are striving to provide an ecosystem for families, schools, agencies, and nonprofits to engage one another with academic, safety, and social assistance resources.”

Denver Asylum Seekers Subscribe to ReachWell Channel - WorkReady Denver

WorkReady Denver is designed to provide a comprehensive pathway for asylum seekers to gain legal employment. The program offers a blend of classroom learning, industry-recognized credentialing, and unpaid internships, ensuring participants receive theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Areleidis Chiquillo was among hundreds of asylum-seekers gathered at the Community College of Denver to begin the ambitious work training program, featured by Daniella Silva, a national reporter for NBC News focusing on immigration and education highlighting Denver asylum-seekers hopeful as work training program starts ‘to completely change our lives. She and her husband brought their 2-month-old baby and 5-year-old daughter to the first training. Following the training, asylum seekers will communicate in their preferred language on ReachWell by following the WorkReady Denver channel to stay engaged in the program and connect to resources in the community.

WorkReady Denver's approach to workforce development mirrors ReachWell's approach to developing the platform - placing family at the center of its design. The WorkReady Denver program provided childcare at its first training, recognizing that integrating childcare into workforce development strategies is essential for fostering economic growth, supporting family well-being, and promoting inclusive and equitable access to employment opportunities

ReachWell was proud to attend the successful launch event for the program integrating new immigrants into the labor force, pictured below, and in less than a month over 65% of people enrolled in the program have subscribed to the ReachWell Channel.

Each household enrolled in DASP commits to 20 hours of weekly WorkReady training. This initiative not only addresses the needs of newcomers but also helps fill labor gaps in essential sectors.

Industries covered include:

Restaurant/Hospitality
Retail
Warehouse/Logistics
Construction
Manufacturing
Healthcare
Early Childhood Education

According to a recent update to the Denver City Council, the 'WorkReady' program for immigrants has already attracted more than 70 employers ready to legally employ trained immigrants seeking asylum for high-paying jobs in industries with workforce shortages through the program.

Collaboration with Trusted Messengers

The City and County of Denver have also partnered with Centro de los Trabajadores (Centro), a well-respected and trusted messenger to the city's immigrant community, to administer the WorkReady program. Centro has committed to placing at least 70% of participants into full-time employment with an average wage of $20/hour upon completion of the program and receipt of work authorization. “Centro de los Trabajadores - Colorado is excited to expand our worker center model of labor integration and job readiness through the WorkReady Denver program,” said Mayra Juarez-Denis, Executive Director of Centro de los Trabajadores. “By investing in this program, we are not just creating employment opportunities but also transitioning workers from charity to the dignity of work.”

WorkForce Denver will use a unique ReachWell feature to empower local partners from various organizations to collaborate by communicating to hundreds of asylum seekers through one unified channel. Classes are held both online and in-person at Centro San Juan Diego and the Community College of Denver (CCD), covering ESL, digital literacy, workers’ rights, and industry-specific training. AT&T has contributed 700 laptops and over $90,000 to support digital literacy coursework, ensuring participants have the necessary tools for success, including ReachWell. “Our collaboration with the City and County of Denver and Centro de los Trabajadores will help equip new entrants with the knowledge and tools necessary for building their futures,” said Guillermo Lambarri, Director of External & Legislative Affairs at AT&T Colorado. “Computers are vital to our community's success.”

Looking Forward

Denver's innovative approach to integrating asylum seekers into the workforce through the WorkReady Denver Program, supported by inclusive communication tools like ReachWell®, sets a new standard for community engagement and support. Denver’s partnership with ReachWell® and other community organizations like Vive Wellness, Papagayo, Haven of Hope, and Village Exchange Center ensures that all families can access critical information and resources. Newcomers enrolled in the program will soon have mobile phones to take full advantage of the all-in-one platform that offers ways to engage in unified communication in their preferred language: on the mobile application, email, text, two-way chat, web, and voice calls PLUS: