Mission Statement
Capital IDEA’s mission is to lift working adults out of poverty and into living-wage careers through education
Our vision is that every motivated low-earning adult in Central Texas can succeed in a high-paying career through education.
Created through the efforts of Austin Interfaith and the Central Texas business community in 1998, we are using one problem-- families living in poverty-- to solve another-- the Central Texas area’s need for highly-skilled and locally-based workers.
Description
Capital IDEA has helped nearly 1,000 Central Texans achieve employment in highly skilled career fields.
Our goal is to take adults with as little as a 5th grade reading/writing/math ability level through a two-year Associates Degree or certificate program at a local community college, and place them in a career identified by local employer partners as being in high-demand.
With over thirteen years of proven success, our innovative program model provides the financial and emotional support that non-traditional, adult learners need to graduate college and succeed in their future career. Capital IDEA funds participants’ direct education expenses such as tuition, fees, and books. Our program also provides a range of wrap-around support services, including childcare, transportation, and emergency assistance. Additionally, all participants are provided intensive case management and counseling to help navigate their educational path and learn how to balance their busy lives. As part of this counseling support, participants also meet weekly in a one-hour, guided peer-support session.
