Ready to Work

 

Bridge House’s Transitional Work Program

A hand up for the homeless men and women in Boulder

Ready to Work Goals:

  • To provide a pathway to self-sufficiency for homeless individuals through paid work
  • Change perception of homeless individuals in the community and with employers
  • Address persistent barriers impacting the ability of homeless individuals to work and find housing
  • Develop a sustainable transitional employment business model
Program overview:

10 trainees selected based on an application, intake and orientation process

20 hours a week paid transitional work in supplemental sanitation and landscaping social enterprise

 Up to 5 hours per week of support services including case management, drug-testing, life skills training, and financial management to prepare trainees for independent living

Prioritized intake at the Boulder Shelter for the Homeless Transition program

After 6 months working, trainees will seek full-time, mainstream employment

Projected program outcomes:

Employment – 80% of trainees who enter will obtain full-time mainstream employment after participation in Ready to Work.

Savings – 100% of trainees will save 30% of their income, approximately  $1,000 after 6 months.

Sobriety – Trainees will remain clean and sober and set standard for other Bridge House clients.

Housing – With increased savings and mainstream jobs, graduates of Ready to Work will find stable housing within 3 months of completion.

Identification – 100% of Ready to Work participants will have proper ID.

Clean up work barriers – 100% will improve employability by working with case management to address barriers such as criminal background and child support.

 Community outcomes:

Create culture of work for homeless individuals eady to work.

Increase financial support of Bridge House from community members who prioritize employment as a solution for homelessness.

 

 

 Progress to date – as of Dec 2012

  • Job Placement– 9 Trainees have found mainstream work
  • Housing – 4 Trainees are housed
  • Earned Revenue– $50,000 secured in contracts
  • New industry-specific training – food service

 


Do you want to hire a Ready to Work Graduate?

Or for more information

Contact

Tim Arnold: Employment Specialist

tim@boulderbridgehouse.org

HOW YOU CAN BE INVOLVED

  • Say hello to the men and women of Ready to Work when you see them working hard in City parks and business districts – thank them for their work and congratulate them on accepting the opportunity to change their lives.
  • Educate your friends, colleagues and neighbors about Ready to Work – encourage them to learn more about this win/win solution to help the homeless help themselves while keeping our community clean.
  • If someone on the street approaches you for money and says they need a job, refer them to Ready to Work.
  • Consider contracting with Ready to Work for your company’s maintenance, custodial, landscaping or other custom needs.
  • Consider hiring a graduate of Ready to Work as a full-time employee in your business.

   If you have specific inquiries please contact tim@boulderbridgehouse.org