Mission
CareerCatchers’ mission is to provide individualized employment and job skills counseling:
- To ensure stable employment and upward mobility;
- To identify and encourage participation in work skills and training programs;
- To enhance self-esteem and foster empowerment.
Since its founding, CareerCatchers has remained steadfast in this mission, with an unwavering vision that guides every decision and partnership.
Founding and Early Years (2007-2009)
CareerCatchers, Inc. (CC) was founded in 2007 by Mariana McNeill and Ronnie Haber in response to a critical need they observed: individuals who had been unsuccessful in finding employment through traditional approaches needed something different. Rather than relying on group workshops or cookie-cutter career coaching methods, CC provided a supportive and individualized environment, working one-on-one with each person to understand their unique circumstances, strengths, and barriers.
CC began by providing pro bono career coaching to residents of Stepping Stones Shelter and to survivors of domestic violence served by the Montgomery County Abused Persons Program (APP). These early partnerships demonstrated that when intensive, personalized career counseling is paired with supportive services, individuals who have been excluded from traditional employment pipelines can achieve lasting employment success.
In 2008, Today’s Family became CareerCatchers’ fiscal sponsor, serving as the legal mechanism through which the fledgling organization could receive funding as a nonprofit while pursuing formal 501(c)(3) status. In February 2009, CC was granted federal 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, marking a transition from a grassroots initiative to an independent, formalized nonprofit organization.
Growth and Evolution (2010-2019)
From its formalization onward, CC’s growth has been driven not by predetermined programming but by community-identified needs. Due to health reasons, co-founder Ronnie Haber departed, and in 2013, K. Kunda joined the organization, bringing fresh energy to the mission. In 2017, Chris Stephens, who had started as a volunteer, transitioned to a full-time employee role, exemplifying the organization’s commitment to nurturing talent from within.
Over this decade, CC expanded its reach through partnerships with housing providers, domestic violence shelters, immigrant-serving organizations, and public agencies throughout Montgomery County and the greater Washington, DC region. The organization developed a multi-touchpoint coaching model that includes individualized career planning, job readiness training, digital skills development, and direct employer engagement. By integrating workforce development with supportive services, CareerCatchers became known for its ability to serve clients facing multiple barriers, including homelessness, domestic violence, childcare responsibilities, disabilities, criminal records, and limited English proficiency.
Responding to COVID-19 and Continued Expansion (2020-Present)
The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges for the populations CareerCatchers serves. The pandemic exacerbated the impact of the digital divide and the growing gap between those with digital skills and those without, as remote work and online job applications became the norm. CareerCatchers stepped up to help clients improve their digital skills and become more competitive in finding employment. In 2020, CC began utilizing VISTA members to strengthen organizational infrastructure in critical areas including data analysis, grant writing, and social media/fundraising. The organization also brought on two consultants to enhance program effectiveness and impact measurement.
In 2021, CareerCatchers undertook its most significant expansion to date, beginning to serve participants in the Montgomery County Rapid Rehousing Program to help those adversely affected by the pandemic. This partnership marked a major commitment to supporting individuals and families facing housing instability as they worked toward economic self-sufficiency. To meet this increased demand for individualized support, CareerCatchers hired four career coaches in 2021, followed by two additional coaches in 2022 and two more in 2023. All of CareerCatchers’ career coaches are certified Digital Navigators, equipping them to address both employment and digital literacy needs in a comprehensive, integrated manner. This expansion enabled the organization to maintain its hallmark intensive, personalized approach even as the number of individuals seeking services grew dramatically. VISTA members have continued to play a vital role in building organizational capacity across data analysis, grant writing, and social media/fundraising initiatives.
During this period, CC emerged as a regional leader in digital equity and workforce access. Through partnerships with employers, financial institutions, housing agencies, and community organizations, CareerCatchers expanded its offerings to include computer literacy training, financial capability workshops, and employer-led Job Clubs. The organization’s Digital Equity Program provides residents of Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties with equipment, internet access, professional development, training, and certification opportunities that build and sustain skills. In recognition of this work, CareerCatchers received a Program Notable Mention award from the University of Maryland Extension’s Marylanders Online program for its Digital Equity Program.
CareerCatchers Today
Today, CareerCatchers serves more than 1,100 individuals annually through workforce coaching, job placement, digital training, and supportive services. Hundreds of clients receive intensive, multi-hour coaching each year, and more than 200 individuals secure new employment annually, generating millions of dollars in wages for families and the local economy.
From its grassroots beginnings with two founders to its current role as a trusted workforce intermediary with a dedicated team of career coaches and support staff, CareerCatchers remains guided by its founding principle: that people facing the greatest barriers deserve not just training, but personalized support, strong partnerships, and a real pathway to economic independence.