There is something powerful about watching a young person begin to believe in themselves.
Sometimes it happens quietly. A little more eye contact. A little more confidence in an interview. A résumé they are proud to hand over. A plan where there used to be uncertainty.
Sometimes it happens in bigger ways — earning a GED, completing a training program, landing a first real job or discovering a career path that finally feels possible.
At CobbWorks, those moments matter.
Through the B.O.S.S. Young Professionals Program, CobbWorks is helping young adults ages 16 to 24 gain the skills, support and encouragement they need to move toward meaningful careers and more stable futures. B.O.S.S., which stands for Bold, Open, Skilled and Successful, is a no-cost workforce development initiative designed for young adults who are ready to grow, with special attention given to those facing barriers to employment.
And while the program includes practical support — GED completion, job readiness training, résumé help, interviewing skills, career exploration, internships, mentorship, coaching and life skills development — the heart of the work goes much deeper.
Because for many of the young adults who come through the doors, the issue is not a lack of ability.
It is a lack of opportunity.
Some participants arrive without a high school diploma or consistent work history. Others are navigating housing instability, transportation challenges, limited support systems or past setbacks that have shaken their confidence.
What CobbWorks sees in them, however, is potential.
The B.O.S.S. Program is built around meeting young adults where they are and walking alongside them as they grow. That may mean helping someone finish school. It may mean connecting them with job training or an internship. It may mean teaching communication, time management or financial literacy. It may mean preparing them for an interview — or simply reminding them they are capable of more than they may currently believe.
That kind of encouragement can be life-changing.
For those involved in the work, it is deeply personal. One program leader shared that, as a first-generation college student raised in a single-parent household, she understands the power of opportunity and the difference it can make when someone extends a hand to help another person move forward.
That spirit is woven throughout B.O.S.S.
The program is not just about helping young adults find jobs. It is about helping them build confidence, direction and a stronger sense of what is possible.
And the transformation is real.
Terrance came to B.O.S.S. as a high school dropout, working overnight in a warehouse and feeling stuck in a cycle that did not match the future he wanted. Through the program, he earned his GED while continuing to work, then adjusted his schedule to make room for his goals. He later enrolled in school to pursue his dream of becoming a nurse.
Elijah’s story is another reminder of what can happen when the right support comes at the right time. After disengaging from school and feeling unsure of his direction, he enrolled in B.O.S.S., completed his GED and moved into CobbWorks’ PowerUp Pre-Apprenticeship Program. From there, he gained hands-on skills, graduated and secured employment with a local plumbing partner.
Janna’s journey began with uncertainty. She was unsure of her career path and lacked confidence in her professional abilities. Through B.O.S.S., she developed workplace skills, discovered an interest in healthcare and was connected to an internship with the H.E.R.O. Institute. That opportunity eventually led to a position and a clearer path forward.
Different stories. Different paths. The same thread running through all of them: when young people are given support, structure and someone in their corner, they can begin to see a future that once felt out of reach.
CobbWorks does not do this work alone. Partnerships are vital to the program’s success, connecting participants with real-world experiences, job opportunities and wraparound support. The program works with local employers, schools and community organizations throughout Cobb County, including Cobb County and Marietta City Schools, Cobb Adult Ed, the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office, Cobb Accountability Courts, the Center for Family Resources, the Warrior Alliance, Vocational Rehabilitation and Job Corps, among others.
Those partnerships help create pathways. They also remind the community that investing in young adults is not charity. It is smart, hopeful, necessary work.
The young people served by B.O.S.S. are resilient, capable and full of potential. They may not always have had access to the resources or support systems others take for granted, but with guidance and opportunity, they can thrive and become valuable contributors to the community.
At the heart of it all, B.O.S.S. is about believing in young people before they fully believe in themselves.
It is about helping them take the next right step.
And sometimes, that is exactly where a future begins.
To learn more, contact WorkSource Cobb / CobbWorks at 463 Commerce Park Drive, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30060, call 770.528.4300 or visit worksourcecobb.org.
“What we see is not a lack of potential. It’s a lack of opportunity, support and guidance. With the right resources, encouragement and belief, these young adults can begin to see a future that once felt out of reach.”