JOBS FOR THE HOMELESS

Skid Row Jobs Collaborative Offers Positions during Outreach

Los Angeles --- March 22, 2007--- The Employment & Training Collaborative of Hope Central presented its 6th annual Career Fair Thursday at the Los Angeles Mission. Hundreds of Skid Row residents seeking employment came out to meet with prospective employers who have positions available.

Companies like First Transit and Home Depot spent time with each interested candidate explaining available positions, how their specific company works, what they offer their employees. Interested job seekers were then able to complete an application for employment and/or leave their resume behind to be considered by the presenting companies.

Life on Skid Row is often unpleasant. Recent media reports have given accounts of allegations of "dumping" by hospitals and increased police sweeps. There has been evidence of a general migration of the homeless and near homeless out of the area. This often means they are removed from where service providers can most effectively offer help for them. Though violence and drug use are rampant, most of those in shelters or single room occupancy (SRO) hotels cannot afford to live any place else because they do not have jobs that pay enough to afford to.

When asked what about the challenges of a homeless or near homeless job seeker, Larry Adamson of the Los Angeles Central Providers Collaborative observed, "Imagine what it's like to apply for a job, but you're not able to entirely complete the application because you don't have an address. Or what it's like to be denied employment because the background check may show a conviction record. Even though that person has paid the debt to society and desperately wants to become a contributing member again, it can make things difficult. The companies that took part in today's event understand the hurdles to employment that these men and women face. God bless them for seeing past stigma in order to see good people who want to do good work."

"The Los Angeles Mission offers programs to help people fight their substance abuse, increase their education level, and prepare for the working world," said Los Angeles Mission president, Herb Smith. "We understand how the significant effort by these companies opens doors for men and women who were once homeless to regain a contributing place in society. We are proud to be a part of today's effort and future outreach to our friends and neighbors."

"That's what today was all about - connecting people with employers that can help them become secure as a result of being gainfully employed," the Employment Training Collaborative chair, Dr. George Bell said. "So many deserving men and women now have access to job prospects, and the companies represented here today should be commended for providing such vital service to the residents of downtown Los Angeles."

For nearly 60 years, the Los Angeles Mission has served the people of Skid Row, providing emergency services such as shelter, food, clothing, as well as professional medical and dental services. In addition, the Los Angeles Mission also offers long-term residential rehabilitation programs including education, job training/placement, transitional housing and counseling.