For nearly 30 years, a Southern Arizona nonprofit has been helping adult students — many of them parents — break cycles of poverty and step into high-demand careers that strengthen their families and the community.

Founded in 1998, JobPath partners with colleges and job training centers to provide adult students with wraparound support, career coaching and critical life resources. Through the nonprofit’s support, these students can overcome barriers and build brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

The average age of students is 32, and nearly half of them are single parents, according to Director of Development Christine Hill, who has seen many students come through the program during her time with the organization.

She recalls one student, an immigrant from Colombia, who worked with the nonprofit and got a job as a radiology technician after graduation. Now, years later, she works as an instructor at Pima Community College and was able to send one of her daughters to an Ivy League university.

“She completely changed the trajectory of not only her life, but the life of her kids,” Hill told Tucson Spotlight. “The multigenerational change and the opportunities that we provide parents really has an impact on their kids and it’s pretty profound.”

JobPath offers workshops on topics including test anxiety, time management and stress management.

The nonprofit also provides guidance on financial topics, such as salary negotiation, financial literacy and budgeting.

Many students who come through the program start out living paycheck to paycheck but are eventually able to earn a family-sustaining wage. The organization supports students throughout their education with tuition assistance and help covering life expenses, including car repairs, rent and child care.

Hill said their research shows that meeting students where they are — and building from there — is key.

Each student also has access to a career coach to help them meet goals and provide moral support along their journey.

“We talk to our students about what has been most important to them and the winners are the money and my coach,” Hill said. “I think you can throw money at a problem, but it doesn't always solve the problem because we are humans and we need someone on our side.”

Kimberly Chaffee has been a workforce success coach with JobPath since 2022. She previously worked as a paramedic, volunteer firefighter and teacher.

When she discovered JobPath, she felt it was a perfect fit for her background and education.

“My favorite part is listening to (the students’) stories,” she said. “Being able to be a support system for them is extremely rewarding. It’s an amazing feeling supporting them and watching them succeed and follow their dreams — that is the biggest reward.”

Chaffee said the impact of JobPath extends far beyond individual success stories. She sees students not only transforming their lives but also making a meaningful difference in the community.

“Our students are going to school for jobs that we really need people in; they are in high demand,” she said. “They’re giving back to our community by being in these jobs. What I see in the moments that I am working with them is giving back to the community and improving themselves.”

And if a student is struggling with a need that JobPath can’t meet, the nonprofit works to connect them with other organizations across Southern Arizona.

“As far as community access goes, we know we can’t be all things for our students — our coaches are not counselors,” Hill said. “We know that other organizations in Tucson and in Southern Arizona can also help our students, so it’s important for us to make connections for our students with other organizations who can also help them succeed.”

The program has a 90% completion rate, and students who complete the program have had an 85% job placement rate within the first six months after graduation.

“We are community based, we feed back into the community, the students feed back into the community and anybody who wants to donate to JobPath can go to jobpath.org,” Chaffee said. “Donating to JobPath, to the students, is really donating back to the community that we all live in.”

McKenna Manzo is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at mckennamanzo@arizona.edu.

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