By Jason Scanlan
Each year on the longest night, December 21, we remember those who died homeless, living unsheltered, subject to cold and sometimes extreme weather conditions. This National Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day, we’d like to shine a light of hope to those currently in this situation, or at risk of being there themselves.
Goodwill North Central Texas launched Goodwill Works in 2016. An employment service program targeting those experiencing homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness, Goodwill Works helps people find meaningful and gainful employment, get off the streets, and overcome the need for public benefits through the Power of Work!
Now in its fourth year, the program has seen tremendous growth, and in 2019 has helped more than 1,300 people find long term employment in a variety of industries. Goodwill Works has placed people in general labor positions, all the way to working professional positions.
Regardless of your industry of interest, we can help you find your next long-term position. Here’s how the program works:
- ENROLL – Visit one of our six area FREE Job Resource Centers, or our permanent office at True Worth Place (Fort Worth’s day resource center for the homeless) to enroll in the program. Or, if you’re a resident at one of our partnered facilities or shelters, our outreach team comes to you!
- TRAIN – Once you’re enrolled, we’ll assign you to work with one of our trainers. We provide comprehensive and person-centered assessment, job readiness training, and employment services to every participant. We’ll make sure you have the resume, interview skills and anything else you need to be successful in the interview.
- APPLY – Applying for jobs can be an intimidating process, perhaps, your computer skills are not at the level you wish they were. We have FREE classes that teach you how to navigate the online application process or just simply increase your computer literacy.
- INTERVIEW – Once you have finished polishing your interview skills and resume, you will be assigned to work with one of our dedicated business developers. The business developer goes out into the community and develops relationships with local employers. That way when you apply to one of our partnering employers, we can reach out to them and help you secure an interview. You still have to shine at the interview, but we have partnered to give you the tools you need to succeed.
- SUCCEED – We’ll stay with you for 90 days after you get your job to make sure it’s a good fit. Our business developers will make sure you have the support you need to hit the ground running in your new career.
Goodwill Works is designed to build real solutions to homelessness by addressing the many issues that prevent attachment to sustained employment. For more information or for assistance, please call 817-332-7866 and ask for a representative from Goodwill Works.