While some jobs may be replaced by machinery or artificial intelligence, jobs that require people to collaborate and use soft skills are irreplaceable. Soft skills are those personal attributes and interpersonal skills that shape how people work together. Communication, teamwork, adaptability and emotional intelligence are examples and transfer across roles and industries. These skills set workers apart just as much as technical qualifications, and employers value these traits for the success of the employee, their team and the overall success of the organization.
This is where The Foundation Academy LLC is building footing. Founder and president Cynthia Jenkins said, “The incentive and inspiration for creating The Foundation Academy came from a clear gap in today’s labor market. People are technically trained but often unprepared to work effectively with others, adapt to change or lead. This gap affects individuals, employers and communities.”
The Foundation Academy is headquartered in Belleville and has recently expanded to serving the Springfield community. Jenkins said the youth and adult programs offered are “designed to strengthen both personal and professional communicative relationships resulting in happier relationships, job success, safer communities and a thriving workforce.”
In 2025, a partnership with Kumler United Methodist Church was established to offer the R3 soft skills and workforce development, along with a career education and readiness job training program in Springfield. Revenue from adult-use and recreational cannabis sales is used to fund R3 (Restore. Reinvest. Renew.) grants which are for the purpose of empowering nonprofits, small businesses and faith-based organizations in communities that have been harmed by violence, excessive incarceration and economic disinvestment in order to build safer communities. Since this program is funded by grants, services are provided free of charge.
The Foundation Academy is offering two programs in Springfield: the R3 youth program and R3 adult program. Jenkins projects her team will serve more than 100 youth and adults this year.
According to the TFA website, the youth program is for ages 12-18, and it aims to equip teens and young adults with the essential personal and professional skills needed to succeed in school, work and life. The program focuses on building communication, teamwork, leadership and problem-solving abilities through group projects, role-playing and real-world scenarios to assist students in gaining confidence in networking, interviewing and professional behavior. Participants are then better prepared to enter the workforce, pursue higher education and build positive relationships that support future success.
The adult program, for those 20 years of age and older, addresses the issues of poverty, unemployment, economic disinvestment and labor force participation. The program’s objective is designed for adults to acquire the necessary skills to secure decent jobs and higher income resulting in poverty reduction, sustainable income and social development. Participants will also learn why soft skills are a popular competency for success in any industry as well as its impact on attracting businesses and increasing labor force participation and how they lead to better jobs, higher salaries and home ownership.
Career education and job training readiness lessons will teach effective job search strategies including how to compose a resume, cover letter and conduct a mock interview. Program participants will create an account in the Illinois Department of Employment Security job portal, complete an online job application and computer literacy activities as well as learn appropriate telephone etiquette.
Jenkins recalled a program participant who was seeking a promotion in management.
“She possessed the technical skills but often avoided speaking up, became defensive when corrected and struggled with conflict. She took our 18-hour communication, emotional intelligence and conflict resolution program. In the program, she learned how to listen without interrupting, ask clarifying questions instead of reacting emotionally and learned how to express concerns calmly and professionally,” Jenkins said. “Three months or so later, in our follow-up process, we learned that she was promoted and has better relationships with colleagues and family because she learned how to communicate her needs without anger or withdrawal.”
Last year, at TFA’s south central location, 30 out of 48 enrollees, or 63%, completed the two-month R3 soft skills job training program, which Jenkins said was memorable.
As for Springfield, Jenkins said distance has been a challenge for growing the presence here but “since we have begun putting our team together, we’re excited about having a presence in the community and getting to know the residents as well as learning how we can effectively work alongside the businesses and organizations in the Springfield community.”
She added that the work TFA is doing and the people’s lives that are impacted – participants, partners and employers – is the greatest reward.
Janet Seitz is a local communications professional, writer and artist. To share your story, contact her at janetseitz1@gmail.com.
This article appears in February SBJ 2026.