Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce: How Hawkeye's Youth Program Benefits Simple Solutions Psychotherapy

Simple Solutions Psychotherapy collaborated with Hawkeye Workforce Innovation to provide local youth with career opportunities while benefiting their own business. Through Hawkeye’s youth employment program, the partnership enabled Simple Solutions to onboard a promising youth participant, now an office assistant, demonstrating how workforce development initiatives can both positively impact businesses and foster community growth.

Simple Solutions, a growing psychotherapy practice, needed operational support while also seeking ways to give back to the community. Finding dependable, motivated staff with practical skills who could grow within the company was a challenge, particularly in underserved areas where job opportunities are limited.

Photo: A student gaining hands-on experience at their worksite, guided by mentors. Hawkeye Workforce is committed to empowering youth through real-world skills and career opportunities. (Source: Skyrocket Education Services)

Partnering with Hawkeye
Hawkeye connected Simple Solutions with a youth participant eager to gain work experience. The program offers individualized career coaching and work-readiness training for young adults, preparing them for success in the workplace. 

LaVita Golden, Director of Workforce and Career Development at Hawkeye, highlights the transformative impact of Hawkeye’s WIOA Youth Program on individuals aged 16-24. The program reconnects youth to career pathways by offering both occupational skills training and hands-on work experience. “WIOA allows young people to gain practical experience,” Golden explains, “teaching them not only essential skills but also what it’s like to earn wages and thrive in a professional environment.”

Hawkeye’s dedicated team includes Career Coaches who play a crucial role in strengthening connections between students and businesses. Roshanae Brooks, a Career Coach at Hawkeye, explains, “My goal is to place youth in internships that align well with their skills and the needs of the worksite, ensuring a beneficial match for both parties.” This tailored approach not only enhances students’ experiences but also fosters meaningful relationships that can lead to successful career pathways.

Stacy Cuevas Aguayo, a representative from Simple Solutions, praised the seamless collaboration: “What I enjoy most about working with Hawkeye staff is that they’re very communicative. They are always making sure we have everything we need to make this program successful at our business.”

Through this partnership, Simple Solutions gained a valuable new team member while offering mentorship and real-world work experience to a young individual.

Youth Employment in Action
One of Hawkeye’s participants, now employed as an office assistant at Simple Solutions, stands as a testament to the program’s impact. This success goes beyond job placement—Hawkeye’s holistic approach equips participants with the confidence, professional skills, and emotional resilience needed for long-term career success.

Aguayo shared: “We actually have a success story with one of the youth who is now one of our office assistants. Youth need to see what’s out there.” This story illustrates how Hawkeye’s initiative benefits both businesses and the young adults they serve.

Impact on the Business
For Simple Solutions, partnering with Hawkeye has provided more than just operational support—it has given them the opportunity to contribute to community empowerment. The company benefits from having a motivated, skilled employee, while also helping shape the future of local youth. Aguayo emphasized the importance of giving youth these opportunities: “They are our future, and it’s amazing to watch them grow.”

Through Hawkeye’s initiative, Simple Solutions gained a dedicated staff member, and the youth participant received invaluable work experience and the chance to build a sustainable career. This partnership exemplifies how workforce development programs can foster both business success and community growth. 


1 in every 7 Hawkeye program participants secures employment at their worksite, while all participants gain valuable skills for their future careers.

90% reported increased financial independence and job satisfaction.


These metrics showcase Hawkeye’s success in fostering long-term career pathways for underserved youth.

Hawkeye’s Continued Impact

By offering customized support and practical work experience, Hawkeye transforms lives. The program equips youth with the skills to overcome barriers and achieve independence. From career coaching to building emotional resilience, the program provides young adults with the necessary tools to overcome barriers to employment and achieve independence.

With continued partnerships and funding, Hawkeye plans to expand its services, reaching more communities and ensuring that even more young adults can benefit from this life-changing experience. 

Ready to make an impact? Learn more at info@hawkeyeworkforce.org.