Back to work

Robert Miller, medical records at Columbia Medical

One in Ten: Odds that a person who has been out of work for more than 27 weeks will find a job this month.

5,002,000: The long-term unemployed, measured by the number of Americans unemployed and searching for work for more than 27 weeks, was 5 million in the month of October 2012. (from the Bureau of Labor Statistics)

There's an obvious connection between joblessness and homelessness:  Many homeless people have been out of work for months or even years. The longer a person is unemployed, the harder it is to find work. Complicating that fact even further are the additional hurdles many of our residents face: poor work histories, a lack of references, criminal records, insufficient skills and/or education, unhealthy methods of coping with conflict and stress.

That's why in 2011, UGM stepped up its efforts to help people get back to work by adding a Vocational Advancement department. In the 4th phase of our recovery programs, after education and aptitude assessments, computer skills classes, workshops on appropriate workplace attire and behavior, men and women engage in a business practicum experience - 240 hours of volunteer work with a local business in their area of interest. Here are a few of those men and women in their various placements:

Jeff May, carpenter at Rockwood Retirement Community

Brittany Branch, health & wellness assistant at YMCA

Diane Beck, disaster prevention coordinator at American Red Cross

Emilie Crossley, marketing at Interplayers Theatre

Tamara Davis, office coordinator at Casey Law Firm

Upon completion of their business practicum experience, many of our residents have been hired full time. Stay tuned for more on where UGM graduates are working . . .

To read Executive Director Phil Altmeyer's thoughts on the importance of work, check out "A Gift in Disguise."