St. Joseph the Worker

St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) has been assisting disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient through quality employment since 1988. We firmly believe that a paycheck is the only way out of poverty.

At SJW, our approach is providing a hand-up, not a hand-out. We do this by providing support, resources, and tools necessary for becoming employable. Consistent with our founding values of dignity, respect, hope, community, and love, we strive every day to empower our clients by connecting them to opportunities that will aide them in overcoming the many challenges they face, both economically and culturally.

St. Joseph the Worker believes that employment, and all that it provides, is key to a healthy community. Knowing that a steady paycheck is critical to lasting success, our Employment Without Barriers Program meets clients where they are and creates customized support for each unique situation. Employment Without Barriers first removes obstacles to achieving quality employment, including transportation and transitional housing, while breaking their barriers to employment by providing resources and support. We connect individuals to quality employment opportunities - jobs that offer a living wage, benefits, and opportunities for advancement/upskilling. We then
support our clients in maintaining employment and moving toward self-sufficiency. We come from a place of "yes" and believe that all things are possible when you work for them.

Testimonials

At 15, Joel left home. He began to experience homelessness and use substances. For 8 years, he bounced between couches and the streets of the Valley. At the age of 23, he became sober. He started working at CBI in the behavioral health field and after a few successful years transitioned to working for the City of Tempe. He found his work fulfilling and held supervisory roles. It seemed he would never have to worry about experiencing homelessness himself again. Then "life happened." After 5 years of sobriety, Joel relapsed. He became homeless yet again. For about a year and a half, Joel lived underneath a tunnel in Tempe soliciting people for money so he could support his substance use. One day, his former coworkers from the City of Tempe picked him up while doing outreach. He graciously accepted their assistance and, after successfully recovering from his addiction, connected with us at St. Joseph the Worker in Mesa. Our Employment Specialist assisted him with finding temporary employment to start earning money. Only a week later, he landed a job.

With his brand-new job, Joel became eligible for SJW's Workforce Village program, a supported, transitional housing solution addressing the extreme lack of affordable housing in Arizona. Workforce Village moves working adults experiencing homelessness. from the streets to their own apartments in an average of 90 days. He will stay at our site in Tempe to have stable housing close to his job. Over the next three months, he will save 80% of his income, learn how to create a budget, and develop long term goals and strategies to achieve them financially.

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind. All of the change can feel intense at times, but Joel is focusing on moving forward. "Have the willingness to do whatever you have to do. Take advantage of services offered to you… the easier access to services, the easier it will be to utilize them."

In the short term, Joel's goal is to move into his own place and to become financially independent and stable again. In the long term, he would love to rebuild his career in human services achieving a position as a supervisor once again. And, he aspires to re-establish healthy relationships with his family and reintroduce them into his life.