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Secure Jobs. Secure Homes. Secure Families

Employment Support Services

Way Finders’ Employment Support Services help people envision—and make—the connection between stable housing and stable employment, all in pursuit of helping people achieve greater economic mobility. We support households who are receiving various services from the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA).  

Our programs address barriers to employment and provide one-on-one career counseling and other forms of support, such as with resume and cover letter writing, job searching, and interview training. We also offer a robust Work Readiness Certificate program. 

If you do not qualify for our programs, we can refer you to one of our community partnerships with a One-Stop Career Center. There you will receive free access to job counseling, skill building workshops, and opportunities to interview with local employers.  

Interested in participating?

Do you reside in a family shelter? Do you receive HomeBASE? Have you received Emergency Financial Housing Assistance in the past 12 months? Do you receive SNAP or DTA benefits?

If you answered YES to any of these questions you may be eligible for Employment Support Services. 

Contact us to get started

Our Programs

The Secure Jobs Initiative (SJI)

 

SJI is a supportive employment program for homeless families and households receiving Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT), or Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP). 

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Secure Jobs Initiative, you must live in Hampden or Hampshire county and be receiving assistance from one of these programs: 

  • Emergency Assistance (EA) 
  • HomeBASE  
  • Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) 
  • Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) 

Learn more 

Competitive Integrated Employment Services (CIES)

 

CIES provides training, education, and job readiness services to families who are interested in obtaining employment and who are receiving Transitional Aid for Families with Dependent Children (TAFDC) through the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA). 

Eligibility

All CIES participants must have a current referral from DTA. They must also meet the four criteria below: 

  • Be a TAFDC recipient and/or the non-custodial parent of a child who receives TAFDC 
  • Be unemployed or underemployed 
  • Have an employment goal 
  • Need support to address barriers to career readiness 

Learn more 

SNAP Employment & Training

Way Finders’ SNAP Employment & Training program can help SNAP clients realize their job search goals, such as by gaining needed skills and readiness. 

Eligibility

To be eligible for Way Finders’ SNAP Employment & Training, you must: 

  • ONLY be receiving assistance in the form of SNAP benefits 
  • Live in Hampden or Hampshire county 

Learn more 

Work Readiness Certificate Program 

Way Finders’ Work Readiness Certificate Program is open to all participants of our Employment programs and is facilitated in both English and Spanish. Participants are encouraged to attend in person (virtually), though recorded sessions are available by request.  

The Work Readiness Certificate Program is designed to help people learn about—and take steps to address—employment subjects such as: 

  • Effective communication 
  • Resume/cover letters 
  • Social media 
  • Networking 
  • Interviewing skills  
  • Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) 
  • Financial literacy 
  • Remote learning 
  • Gaps in work history 
  • Education barriers 
  • Post-COVID workforce 

Access a network of reputable employers 

Way Finders’ job developers build strong, long-lasting relationships with many local businesses and employment agencies. As a participant in our programs, we will help connect you with employers and resources that may lead to stable employment.  

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