SPOTLIGHT ON THE TCF
Trends Charitable Fund is proud to help …
St. Joseph the Worker: Employment Heals For nearly 25 years, St. Joseph the Worker’s Employment Heals program has provided women, as well as men and families in delicate and trying situations such as homelessness or domestic violence, with the support and job development resources needed to find quality employment and become self-sufficient in today’s society. Last year, St. Joseph the Worker secured 577 job placements for needy Valley residents. The average wage was $9.20, and 63 percent of the positions were eligible for benefits. These encouraging life changes were accomplished through personal attention from professional job developers, providing telephone/fax/internet access and a mailing address. They also helped to find guaranteed transportation to and from interviews or work, résumé development and financial assistance to pay for uniforms and shoes, certification or licensure fees. They help pay for day care, too. St. Joseph the Worker also focuses heavily on improving job readiness by teaching effective job-search strategies. These services are open to anyone in need and help create the path to a healthy future. Recently a young girl named Sophie patiently sat and played with her lovingly worn Barbie doll in an office at St. Joseph the Worker. She was waiting for her mother to meet with a job developer to create a detailed job-searching game plan. Her mother desperately wants and needs a job – for herself and Sophie. To understand this mother’s desperation and motivation, you would need to see the fresh bruises covering her and Sophie. They are currently planning their exit from a turbulent, violent life of domestic abuse and realize a job is a critical key to unlocking their freedom. With St. Joseph the Worker’s expertise and caring help, finding employment will start the healing process for this mother and daughter. St. Joseph the Worker’s ability to provide support to people in trying situations like Sophie and her mother is a direct result of the community coming together to help. Funded solely by private donations,
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TRENDS MAGAZINE
St. Joseph the Worker’s Employment Heals program – along with the support of Trends Charitable Fund – ensures people like Sophie and her mother will have the opportunity and resources needed to heal and become independently stronger. How you can help St. Joseph the Worker volunteers are at the heart of vital services. There are numerous opportunities including long-term commitments or one-time activities, and individual or group tasks that people can participate in and contribute their talents. If you are looking for a valuable community service project or team-building activity for your corporation, school, community organization or church, St. Joseph the Worker
invites you to make a difference. Project ideas include hosting a donation drive for anything from razors and deodorant to new socks and underwear, granola bars and office supplies. These types of donations enable St. Joseph the Worker to spend more funding from grants and monetary donations on direct client services. People can also contribute financially through the secure online donation portal at www.sjwjobs.org/donations or by designating St. Joseph the Worker for Arizona’s Working Poor Tax Credit. To learn more about these opportunities and how you can become involved in healing lives, contact St. Joseph the Worker at 602.417.9854 or visit www.sjwjobs.org.