Instructors
Instructors work in pairs and are trained to conduct the 20-week program.  The workshops are divided into 4 Courses – Goal Setting, Financial Education, Career Building and Life Skills.  Classes are held in communities across Houston and are either on weekday evening or on Saturdays.
Qualities – Instructors are typically college graduates.  Many hold advanced degrees or certifications, such as CFP, CPA, CFA.  They are good listeners, motivational, and willing to share their life stories with the students.
Process – Instructors receive materials at training and then select classes.  Typically two instructors share a program with both attending.  One instructs while the other observes, takes notes and meet with an Coaches attending the program.
Materials - Skills For Living provides all materials – workbooks, training, power point, handouts, videos.  If you have a computer, projector and speakers then that is great.  If not, we will loan them to you.
Coaches
Each coach is trained to work with five students.  Many coaches will attend the classes, but a coach is not required to attend all classes.  They must attend specific classes and these are outlined in training.
Qualities – Coaches typically college graduates.  Like instructors, they often hold advanced degrees or certifications, such as CFP, CPA, CFA.  They are good listeners, motivational, and willing to share their life stories with the students.  They are responsible for working with each adult student on his or her Action Plan and charting progress on the student’s financial statements.  They communicate with each student for ½ hour each week and they also report in to S4L each week for about ½ hour.  They hold students accountable.

Skills For Living has several opportunities for volunteers who want to work with high school and college students;

• CAREER MENTORS – Meet with a group of students to share their career so our Game of Real Life students will have a chance to see what is possible in their future  As a career mentor you are sent essays of the students with whom you will meet so you are prepared to understand their aspirations and goals.  You begin your one hour journey with them by telling them about who you were in high school and your journey to who you are today.  Please share with the students the mistakes you may have made, the successes you have had, what your goals are and why you volunteer with S4L.
• INTERVIEWERS – You have the excitement of speed interviewing 9 students and selecting those who will be working for your “company” in the 8-hour Game.  You are sent materials to prepare you for this incredible experience.  This is an excellent volunteer opportunity for first time managers to seasoned executive.  It is a four hour commitment – but 4 hours that you will remember forever!
• TRAINERS – You help the students experience the other side of business.  Throughout the curriculum, students have learned about products and services from the customer side.  Now you have a chance to help them understand the business side of providing these products – revenues, expenses, customer service, human resources, management.  These are the things you address each day and now you get to introduce them to our Game students.  This is a four hour commitment that will give you exceptional insight into your own business practices.
• MANAGERS – The Game is on and you are helping the students in your business perform and realize what real life is like!  You receive training materials to prepare you for this exciting 8-hour, Saturday session.

Other Opportunities

Skills For Living needs so much creative talent, touch and treasure as we work to effectively transform lives.  If you have a desire, just contact us and we are very good at finding ways for talented people to serve.  We have Orientation meetings the first Monday of every month and this is an excellent way for you to learn what is coming up.  Contact Cate@Skills4Living.org for more information or call 713-782-9974 and speak with Cate Rugano.