FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The new location allows the nonprofit to expand its services and offer life skills classes, including Personal Finance 101, Meal Budgeting and Planning and Professional Success Skills
Phoenix (July 30, 2024) — St. Joseph the Worker (SJW), a leading Phoenix nonprofit organization committed to empowering unhoused, low-income and other disadvantaged individuals with a pathway to stability and self-sufficiency through quality employment, is pleased to announce the opening of its new office at 382 E. Palm Lane in Phoenix. This central Phoenix location offers enhanced convenience for clients, ensuring easy access to services, especially for those relying on public transportation.
The new office, operational since May 6, replaces the 19th Ave. and Bethany Home Road office and incorporates the operations team from the Keys for Change Human Services campus.
“We are thrilled to open our new office at 382 E. Palm Lane, which will provide even greater accessibility to our clients,” said Carrie Masters, CEO of St. Joseph the Worker. “Already, over 600 clients have been served at this new site, demonstrating the immediate positive impact of this location on our community.”
With this new office, SJW continues to serve clients from two locations:
- East Valley, 1833 W. Main Street #128, Mesa, AZ 85201
- Central Phoenix, 382 E. Palm Lane #150, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Founded in 1988, SJW is dedicated to breaking down barriers to employment and providing job seekers with the necessary tools and support to achieve long-term success. More than just a conventional job search service, SJW goes beyond offering job leads and resume assistance. The organization meticulously assesses an individual’s skills, physical abilities, transportation needs, background and both short- and long-term goals to match them with suitable long-term opportunities through its Preferred Business Partners (PBPs).
SJW connects individuals to roles that align their interests and skills with the culture of local businesses. To further support job seekers, it provides transportation, interview preparation and attire when needed. Once employment is secured, SJW continues to offer assistance with transportation, uniforms and work shoes to ensure clients are ready to succeed. Additionally, SJW helps individuals obtain any necessary tools, certifications or training required for their roles. The organization’s mission is to foster beneficial relationships among clients, companies and the community by offering a comprehensive pathway to self-sufficiency.
In addition, the nonprofit offers its unparalleled 90-day Workforce Villages‘ transitional housing program for full-time workers who find it difficult to save 70%-80% of their post-tax income for move-in deposits and a savings fund. Participants in this program are required to attend life skills classes that provide essential education to help them thrive in their new apartments.
SJW’s new Phoenix location offers these important life skills classes to the community. Currently, SJW provides the following courses at no cost:
Personal Finance 101
A professional course designed to empower individuals with essential financial management skills. This course addresses common challenges such as building and maintaining a budget, understanding credit scores and managing debt. Participants will gain practical knowledge and tools to effectively oversee their finances, leading to a more secure and stable financial future. SJW’s Personal Finance 101 aims to create a lasting positive impact on participants’ financial well-being.
Meal Budgeting and Planning
This specialized course is designed to help individuals maximize their grocery budgets by offering practical strategies for planning, shopping, and meal prepping. It ensures both financial efficiency and nutritional success. Participants will learn how to stretch their dollars further at the grocery store, including techniques to keep the cost of each meal below $5. Meal Budgeting and Planning equips individuals with the skills needed to adhere to a budget while maintaining a healthy and satisfying diet.
Professional Success Skills
A concise and impactful course designed to navigate the intricacies of the professional workplace. In just 60 minutes, participants will learn the essential dos and don’ts, identify the valuable skills they bring to their employers and discover how to leverage those skills to excel in their careers. Professional Success Skills empowers individuals to become the best professional version of themselves.
“The service SJW provides to those seeking long-term employment is unique. We connect job seekers with opportunities that bypass frustrating online applications, offering a direct pathway to success,” said Daren Strunk, COO of St. Joseph the Worker. “Our new Central Phoenix office also finally gives us the professional space our clients deserve so we can continue to improve the effectiveness of our employment and housing programs. It also allows us to expand our services to include workforce training and essential life skills classes for our community partners, amplifying our impact through education.”
Recently, SJW has begun posting weekly job openings from its PBPs to its LinkedIn page (www.linkedin.com/company/sjwjobs). The goal is to connect more job seekers with opportunities that match their skills and interests and make it easy for people to share opportunities with their network.
Those interested in getting their business involved or who know someone in their network who needs employment are encouraged to reach out. The Phoenix and Mesa offices are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. No appointment is required, but SJW asks new clients to arrive by 2 p.m. to ensure they get the proper experience. Businesses interested in becoming a Preferred Business Partner (PBP) should contact Daren Strunk at dstrunk@sjwjobs.org or 602.810.0376.
About St. Joseph the Worker
St. Joseph The Worker (SJW) was formed in 1988 in response to the unhoused community saying, “We want to work, but don’t have the resources.” Since then, SJW has been forging pathways to self-sufficiency with employment at the core, believing the only way out of poverty is a paycheck. Common barriers clients face when looking for and upon finding stable employment include access to transportation, money for interview and uniform attire, lack of certifications for the role and stable housing. By breaking down barriers clients often face when job searching, SJW is providing an opportunity for clients to build a sustainable life free of government assistance. To learn more about SJW, visit https://sjwjobs.org.
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To schedule an interview or obtain more information, please contact Samantha DeRose at 480.495.4930 or samantha@mcraeagency.com.