About Us
Who Are We Helping?
We provide training and assistance to adults who currently find themselves in financially disadvantaged situations; connecting them to opportunities to overcome difficult backgrounds or mistakes in their past, so they can have a new, whole life and be contributing members of their community. We connect them to local employers with entry level positions and provide systematic follow-up for job retention and advancement. Our goal is to stabilize participants in a job with benefits, then guide them in advancing to a position where they earn more than 200% of the federal poverty rate.
Our goal is also to meet the demand for willing and capable workers in the local economy, by providing pre-screened, trained candidates for employment who are more likely to stay on the job and advance.
We connect people in transition to available resources in the community to build a support network around them that strengthens their internal and external assets. We complete the work that front-line agencies do for people transitioning out of homelessness, prison, addiction, or unstable life patterns, offering hope and a hand-up to stand on their own feet, while providing employers with a workforce that is positioned to bring commitment and a strong work ethic to the job.
What services do you provide the Workshop Participants?
Job Readiness. A one week Job Readiness Workshop in which Members gain the necessary skills, attitudes and confidence to successfully apply for and succeed in jobs that match their qualifications.
Job Search. The Employment Support Specialist provides job search support and counseling.
Barrier Removal. A team to systematically identify and assist in finding solutions to overcome obstacles to stable employment, including guidance for child care, transportation, legal problems, emotional, spiritual and psychological barriers, and poor support systems.
Linking our Members with Entry Level Jobs offered by a group of Core Employers in the greater Houston area who pay $7-12 per hour and offer health benefits and prospects for advancement. Support is provided by our staff to work with each Member through the job search and into the new job. We follow up with the Member and the Employer each week for the first year, troubleshooting any obstacles.
Focus on the Journey of Faith. Establishing a strong foundation to support the journey of faith is a critical element of the long-term success of our Members.
Job Advancement. Counseling for each Member who has stabilized in employment after one full year to direct them towards a path of greater responsibility and earnings.
How Long has The Working Connection Been in Existence?
The inspiration to bring The Working Connection to Houston was provided to Barbara Elliott, author of Street Saints (www.streetsaints.com) and founder of The Center for Renewal (www.centerforrenewal.org) , in the summer of 2005. Barbara and a group of dedicated business leaders spent one year meeting with other faith based non-profit agencies to evaluate the market need for The Working Connection's services in Houston. After months of repeated affirmation through solid research, The Working Connection incorporated in 2006, launched its first program at The Open Door Mission in November 2006, and in January 2007 began operating in its permanent facility located on five Metro bus lines near the Northwest Transit Center.
How was the Program Developed?
We have developed The Working Connection utilizing the strengths of a 'best practice' model that has a 10 year track record of success. Cincinnati Works (www.cincinnatiworks.org) is an award-winning program, founded by retired Arthur Andersen Partner Dave Phillips. CW now trains 400-600 people each year. One year later, 84% of those that were placed in jobs are still employed. The American Institute for Full Employment has selected the Cincinnati Works model as a Best Practices model program and The Harvard Business Review featured the model in its December 2006 issue. Barbara Elliott wrote the replication manual on the Cincinnati Works model, and adapted it for Houston's specific market.
