Staff Reports | Free Press Philanthropy
St. Joseph the Worker is receiving a $500,000 multi-year grant from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation.
The grant, officials there say, will support SJW’s Workforce Villages Program and fuel its expansion to the East Valley, empowering clients with the stability and resources they need to rebuild their lives and become self-sufficient.
The Workforce Villages Program is a 90-day transitional housing initiative designed to assist employed individuals who are experiencing housing insecurity.
During the program, clients receive free housing and attend classes in personal finance, meal planning and budgeting (to keep meals under $5), professional success skills workshops, and weekly meetings with SJW housing specialists. Clients are required to save 70-80% of their net income in their own personal bank accounts, providing a solid foundation to secure permanent housing after the program.
SJW’s data reveals that 64% of job seekers at its East Valley office are experiencing housing insecurity.
“Bob and I are proud to support the Workforce Villages Program at St. Joseph the Worker,” said Renee Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, in a prepared statement. “We understand that housing and employment go hand in hand on a person’s journey toward rebuilding their lives, becoming independent and thriving long-term.”
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation grant will also ensure the success of SJW’s Workforce Housing and Training Program. This comprehensive initiative begins with an immersive week of classroom training, led by an SJW Preferred Business Partner.
Participants experiencing housing insecurity can enter the Workforce Villages’ 90-day program, attend training through WHaT, and secure employment with an SJW Preferred Business Partner. The WHaT program gives participants a pathway to a living wage over six to nine months following completion.
“Growing up poor as a church mouse in inner-city Baltimore, I watched my parents struggle to keep their heads above water,” said Bob Parsons, co-founder of The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation. “Many people never get the chance to learn the types of life skills and financial discipline offered by St. Joseph the Worker. This crucial training can help people find stability, make sound financial decisions and lead more fulfilling lives.”
