CHARITY SPOTLIGHT: ST. JOSEPH THE WORKER – CARRIE MASTERS
Providing Pathways to Self-Sufficiency Tell us a little bit about St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) and what makes it unique. SJW has been providing pathways to self-sufficiency with employment at the core for over 35 years. SJW is responsible for assisting more individuals in quality, paying jobs than any other workforce organization in Arizona. It is our goal to provide long-term solutions for our clients, enabling them to truly become independent and no longer relying on government assistance of any kind. As the CEO, what personally motivates you to lead SJW? Having grown up in poverty, often times homeless, I found myself carrying a deep understanding of our client base. I have a strong passion for people, especially those that have barriers but desire positive change. SJW aligns with not only my personal story, but my professional purpose ... to make a positive impact in people’s lives. What are the common barriers clients face when looking for and upon finding stable employment? Our clients are looking to SJW to not only help guide them to quality employment opportunities that align with their experience, but also for the support needed to retain employment. Some of the barriers we remove are providing transportation, uniforms/ shoes, basic hand tools, certifications, interview coaching and attire, guidance in resume writing and most importantly, hope. Our trained Employment Specialists work with each client, meeting them where they are in their journey. They listen with care with the intent to instill confidence, hope and support to set them up for success in their life. What are the key programs that SJW currently operates? We have two programs with employment at the core of each. Our free direct hire employment program, Employment Without Barriers, has been providing holistic employment services for over 35 years. We work closely with our Preferred Business Partners (PBP) to ensure we are offering our clients direct hire opportunities with local employers that offer full-time employment, a minimum starting wage of $17 per hour, benefits and opportunity for growth. Our PBP’s understand that our clients often have barriers but come with a willingness and drive to work. Our second program is our free 90-day transitional housing program, Workforce Villages. This program offers our employed clients a 90 day “pause” where their main focus is to work and save 80% of their paycheck in their own bank account, providing the ability to save enough for first and last month’s rent so they can acquire a lease in their own name. They also attend our financial literacy and food budgeting classes which provide critical life skills to ensure lasting success free of government assistance! Can anyone apply to these programs and receive resources? The quick answer is yes! All a client needs to utilize our free direct hire employment services is two forms of ID and a desire to work. To become eligible for our free 90-day transitional housing
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program, a client is required to work a minimum of 35 hours per week at $17 per hour. If there is ever an uncertainty of whether or not you qualify, please contact us at (602) 755-JOBS. What has been the impact? We closed out our 2022 fiscal year having seen 10,111 clients with 6,213 having gained full time employment. The average starting wage was $17.02 and 81% were eligible for benefits. As we continue through our 2023 fiscal year, we are seeing an increase in the average wage and are on track to serve 10,000+ clients. Can you explain your Preferred Business Partner (PBP) model? PBP’s are local businesses that offer our clients full-time work at a minimum of $17 per hour, offering benefits and opportunities for advancement within their company. We work as a true partnership. They may refer some of their staff to us who might need resources such as tools, uniforms, etc., along with recommending our housing program to any of their team that may be housing insecure. They also understand that most of our clients come with barriers. However, with the desire to work and the unwavering support of SJW, they are gaining individuals who are often committed for the long haul. Through our partnership, they also save money by not having to pay a staffing agency or recruiter to acquire employees. Additionally, it saves their HR team time as they don’t have to vet each employee, making it a win-win for everyone. What is your hope for the future of SJW? My hope for the future is to expand our services to the West Valley while continually evaluating and refining the support we provide to our clients on a day-to-day basis. A dream would be for everyone to immediately know who we are and what we do, without hesitation.