• Solve Challenges
• Reach Goals
• Design a plan of action
• Make effective decisions

• Implements the plan of action, working through inevitable changes and any obstacles.
• Maintains a healthy balance between personal and professional life.
• Sees emerging opportunities and capitalizes on them..
• Recognizes and exhibits strengths and talents, keeping focused on personal needs, values, and visions.

FAQs

What is coaching? Coaching works because it brings out YOUR best. A coach believes you have the answers and is trained to bring them out (painlessly)!
Specifically, this is what we do with you during coaching sessions:

Listen: We listen fully. You are the focus. We listen to what you say, what you are trying to say and what you are not saying.

Share: After you have fully communicated, we share with you advice, ideas, comments and views on your situation, dilemma, or opportunity

Inspire: We want a lot for you. We want to inspire you to reach for whatever it is you want. We want you to have a life that you love. Part of our job is to be at least three steps ahead of you, yet be with you. As such, we make requests and suggestions to help move you forward. You are the client, and we work for you and your goals.

How does the program work? Those who are selected for coaching will be assigned to an individual coach. The coach will contact the applicant selected for coaching and arrange a schedule for their future coaching sessions. The coaching will be for 30-45 minutes per session, three times a month for a period of three months (total of 9 coaching sessions). All coaching is done via telephone. The coach places the call to you. Some coaches may have you call them on an 800 number. Either way there is no cost to you.

What do I have to do to be selected? All applicants come through either a social services agency or another non-profit organization with which A Hand UP Coaching has established a program delivery relationship. Every applicant must complete an application.

IMPORTANT NOTE: At this time, we are unable to accept applications from individuals who are not referred to us through one of our program partners.

What are my responsibilities? If you are selected for the Career Coaching Program you are making a commitment to:

• Have a phone number at which you can be reached during reasonable hours
• Be on time for your scheduled coaching calls
• Return phone calls from your coach within a day
• Notify your coach if you have a change in phone number or contact information
• Give your coach at least 24 hours advance notice if you need to reschedule your coaching session
• Follow through with any commitments you make during the coaching

How can I be sure my coaching experience is a good one? This is perhaps the most important question to be answered, because your commitment to the program is the key to your success. Coaching is always successful when you:

• Are open to learning new ideas and implementing them in your life
• Listen, share your thoughts, and ask questions.
• Are willing to make changes and take action
• Are present for your coaching sessions without interruptions or distractions
• Believe in yourself and are committed to your personal success

What do I do if my coach does not contact me? Contact the social services organization which sponsored you so that they can let us know there is a problem.

What can I discuss with my coach? Our Career Coaching Program is designed to focus on your career/work development. This may include seeking employment, moving up in an organization, training/schooling to improve career options, analyzing your skills, preparing resumes, organizing your time, balancing your responsibilities, eliminating things that distract you from your work, developing your communication skills, asking for what you need, simplifying, creating reserves, goal setting, strategizing, and anything which serves to support you in your career/work. Only you can determine on what areas of your career/work development you wish to focus your coaching discussions and your energies.

Who will know about what happens during my coaching sessions? Only you, your coach, and whoever you choose to share your experiences with. The coach has an ethical and professional obligation to maintain your confidentiality. The only exception to the confidentiality agreement is if you are a danger to yourself or others and if you are abusing alcohol or drugs. It is recommended that applicants check with the social service agency or non-profit organization through which they are referred to see what accountability may be required of the applicants by the referral organization.

What is the cost to me? There is no cost to you personally. The social service or non-profit organization through which you were referred has sponsored you so that you may receive this valuable coaching experience at no cost.

What if I want more than three months of coaching? Our Career Coaching Program is only able to provide you with the nine sessions of coaching over a three-month period. In some cases, depending on the arrangements made with the social services organization, the coaching can be extended on an individual basis.

What if I want to work with my coach beyond the three months? If you wish to continue to work with the coach to which you were initially assigned, you and the coach are free to work out a payment arrangement. A Hand UP Coaching does not oversee and is not responsible for any coaching contracts executed between coaches and clients beyond the three-month coaching commitment unless approved by and paid for through your sponsoring organization. Please note that our coaches are not permitted to request, pressure, or insist that you continue to work with them on a fee-basis. Should this ever happen, please notify A Hand UP Coaching immediately.

Where do the coaches come from? Our coaches are located all over the United States. All our coaches are either graduates of or are completing a program of study through a Coaching School which is accredited by the International Coaching Federation, are members of the International Coaching Federation, or are certified by the International Association of Coaches.

What if I do not get along with my coach? We have found this to rarely happen. If it does, however, you should notify the social services organization, which has sponsored you so that they may notify A Hand UP Coaching. You will be assigned to a second coach in such situations. However, if you have been assigned to two coaches and are unable to work with either coach, you will be released from the coaching program. If you wish to apply again at a later time, you may do so.

Is a coach like a therapist? No. In fact, it is important that a coach is aware and sensitive to therapy issues and let you know when you need to work with a therapist rather than a coach. A simple distinction between a therapist and coach is that a therapist will focus on helping you to heal from the past; while a coach operates from a premise that you are ready, willing, and able to focus on the present and your future goals.

Is there a difference between a coach and a consultant? The two professions are very similar, and coaching actually is a form of consulting. The unique distinction between coaching and consulting is that a coach stays with the client to support her as she makes changes and evolves. A coach is a partner, a guide, and a support system. A coach helps you to see perspectives and choices where you may not have been able to see them before. In contrast, a consultant is hired to come up with the answers for you. So, the coaching process is about you and your personal discovery. It is important to note, that you do all the work and you are responsible for and get credit for all the results. The coaching process assists you in creating better career opportunities and a better life through the use of a professional guide, your career coach.

Stepping Stones Workshops

Stepping Stones is an innovative life-skills program targeted at individuals transitioning to the workforce and increasing workforce skill sets. It instills the personal and interpersonal skills critical for career success by focusing on creating positive results, increasing self-awareness, adopting healthy attitudes and behaviors, and using effective communication.

FAQs

What does the program involve? The Stepping Stones Workshop is a 20-module program. Each module is one hour in length. The program is given over a period determined by your sponsoring organization. This program may be presented as two separate workshops of 10 modules each or as a 20-module workshop. The number of sessions/hours per session and the number of weeks during which the workshop is presented can be tailored to fit the needs of our program partners or affiliated organizations. The workshop is designed to accommodate up to 20 participants.

The Stepping Stones Workshop program is also offered in a 4-module stand-alone workshop format. Each of the 4-module workshops, called Four Stepping Stones, centers on a specific area encompassed within The Stepping Stones Workshop program. The Four Stepping Stones workshops include:

• 4 Stepping Stones to Self Sufficiency
• 4 Stepping Stones to Removing Personal Barriers
• 4 Stepping Stones to Workplace Success
• 4 Stepping Stones to Effective Communication
• 4 Stepping Stones for Long-Term Success

All workshops are led by a facilitator who is a coach with A Hand UP Coaching. Each participant is provided with a workbook to keep and use throughout the workshop, along with the names of the other participants.

How will I benefit from this program? Personal and interpersonal skills are essential for life and career success. Most employment training programs do not have the time or resources to focus on life-skills, which are the foundational skills for all success. Stepping Stones helps participants to focus on the positive aspects of their lives and to change behaviors and attitudes which interfere with their success.

What kinds of things will I learn? Here are a few things you will learn:

• Handling and resolving problems and challenges at work and in your personal life
• Developing healthier attitudes and behaviors
• Communicating more effectively
• Setting boundaries for yourself
• Creating a vision of the future and clarifying your priorities
• Creating a community which supports you
• Focusing and manifesting positive results in your life
• Identifying strengths, talents, and values

How do I sign up? Participants must be referred through a social service agency or a non-profit organization. You may be selected for a workshop by completing an application and submitting it to a social service agency and/or a non-profit organization which is a program partner of A Hand UP Coaching (has established a program delivery relationship).

We do welcome other groups or organizations to contact us if they are interested in offering to their members an opportunity to participate in a Stepping Stones workshop.

What are my responsibilities? Your responsibilities include:

• Follow the guidelines for proper etiquette during the teleconference sessions
• Treat other members of the group with respect
• Be open to the thoughts and ideas of others
• Be polite and not argumentative during all sessions
• Follow through with the exercises from each module

What are the guidelines on a teleconference workshop? There are just a few rules of etiquette, which your facilitator will remind everyone of at the start of each teleconference session. They are:

• If you are calling from a phone which has call waiting, make sure you have disabled it by pressing *70.
• Use a land-based telephone rather than a cell phone.
• During the call, make sure you are in a place where there are no noises or distractions since others can hear those noises on the call. For the same reason, avoid using a speakerphone.
• Call in on time.
• If for any reason you do have to call in late, do not disrupt the class, wait for a break in the conversation to let the leader know you have arrived.
• Do not interrupt or argue with others on the call.
• At any point during the call, if you want to share something or ask a question, please begin by identifying yourself.
• Express your thoughts and ideas as efficiently as you can so that others have an opportunity to share as well.
• If you have a "mute" button on your telephone, use it when you are not speaking.

What if I don't have anything to say during the workshop? We think you will find that you will enjoy sharing, engaging, and participating in the lively discussions during the workshop sessions. One of the advantages of this program is that you will be able to share with and hear from others who have similar concerns and life experiences. If, however, you find you do not have anything to say you can simply ask to "pass" if you are asked a question or invited to participate.

What kinds of things will we be talking about? The first ten modules of Stepping Stones encompass topics relating to “The Great and Wonderful You”, such as creating positive results, handling tolerations, creating healthy habits, examining your values, strengths, and talents, and articulating your priorities. The second ten modules, focusing on the world around you, are entitled “You and the Rest of the World.” These 10 modules include topics such as communication skills, resolving conflict, setting boundaries, solving problems, and setting goals.

What is the cost? There is no cost to you. Your sponsor pays for the entire workshop. You will be provided with an 800 number for the teleconference portion of the workshop.

What if I have questions that I was not able to ask during the workshop session? At the beginning of each workshop session there will be a brief period for follow-up from the previous session, so you may have an opportunity to ask your question then. You may also communicate with your facilitator via email. The contact information for the facilitator will be provided at the beginning of the workshop.

What if I miss a session? You will benefit the most by being present for all sessions; so we suggest that when you commit to participate in the program, you make sure it is at a time when you can complete all workshop sessions. If something totally unexpected happens and you must miss a session, you may wish to contact another person in the workshop and ask what you missed. Also, you may wish to contact your facilitator in case he/she has something to share with you from the session.

How can I get more information and schedule a series for my organization? Send an email to steppingstones@ahuc.org and give us your name, your contact information, and the name of your organization.