Man in yellow vest cleaning up trash
Program

Workforce Readiness and Job Opportunities

St. Vincent de Paul's workforce readiness programs create transformational systemic change, teach servant leadership, and help those in need get back on their feet.

The Society of Opportunities and Purpose

St. Vincent de Paul is well-known for working to Feed, Clothe, House and Heal those in need; offering compassionate person-to-person care; and serving the most urgent community needs. Did you know that our mission also includes offering meaningful interactions through the opportunity to serve? 

This opportunity to serve is also extended to our guests experiencing homelessness. The result is a healing space of belonging where everyone shares their gifts and experiences their value, and there is no distinction between serving and being served.

Our innovative Workforce Opportunity Programs create transformational systemic change and teach servant leadership to our guests. SVdP engages in several initiatives that overlap the arenas of workforce development, self-sufficiency, apprenticeship, education, and personal and professional growth. 

With the right opportunity and support, our guests are engaged, inspired, activated and connected to a higher purpose. 

Our Workforce Opportunity Programs set up participants to achieve their full potential in the community and permanent sustainability.

By the numbers

74
Brigade Members since the start of the program
139
individuals participated in the workforce development program in 2023

Services

Since February 2021, the Neighborhood Brigade has been a staple in our Workforce Development efforts. This program provides a low-barrier employment opportunity for residents at our Ozanam Manor and Washington Street Interim Housing Communities. Neighborhood Brigade participants gain valuable job skills such as getting to work on time, communicating with supervisors, and building social skills. It also provides a way for them to serve and become a part of the community they live in.  As temporary employees of St. Vincent de Paul, crew members are paid a fair hourly wage to help with street and campus cleaning. They also extend their efforts to the local community by assisting residents and businesses with neighborhood beautification projects. Additionally, participants benefit from mentorship and access to resources.  

The Job Search and Skill Building Program is the heart of our Workforce Opportunities Program. Tailored to individuals actively seeking employment and educational pathways, we offer essential assistance in resume development, soft skill enhancement, job search, financial planning, and support with obtaining necessary workplace items. What sets us apart is our personalized approach -- all participants are paired with a dedicated case manager, who provides mentorship and connects guests with community resources, monitors their progress, and intervenes to help remove barriers and minimize delays toward goals. Ultimately, participants work toward the goal of sustainability through livable wage employment and permanent housing. 

The Workforce X-WING is a recently installed repurposed shipping container that houses 22 residents at our Washington Street Interim Housing Community. These residents are either looking to obtain employment, currently have employment, or are seeking improved job or education opportunities to enhance their income stability. Paired with a dedicated Workforce Case Manager, residents are offered support with writing a resume, job search, soft skills coaching, financial planning, linkage to resources, and permanent housing search. The program allows residents to have their own room, or a room shared with only one other person, which gives residents the space to focus on their workforce goals.