Non-profit groups help disadvantaged find work

When Daniel Melies got out of prison, he didn't know where to turn. He was homeless. He had a felony conviction. He was rejected for job after job.

Then a friend suggested he visit St. Joseph the Worker, one of a handful of non-profits in the Valley that help disadvantaged people find work. Counselors there steered him toward a career as an electrician, helped him put a down payment on an apartment and arranged transportation to and from his new job.

"God put the right people at the right place for me," said Melies, 53, who is now a third-year apprentice electrician at Phoenix-based Kortman Electric. "It was pretty amazing to find people who could care like that."

As the economy continues to founder, non-profits like St. Joseph the Worker say that the need for their services is extremely high. Layoffs mean that even college-educated people come through their doors. They need businesses to refer job openings, make donations and encourage employees to volunteer.

"It is more important than ever to step up to the plate and help those who are hurting the most," said Amy Caffarello, executive director of St. Joseph the Worker.

The group helped more than 300 people find jobs in the last fiscal year and provided job and life skill education to around 900. "How we really help people with their homeless situation is help them find sustainable employment that will pay a living wage and help them get back on their feet."

At their resource center downtown, the group provides job leads and has computers and telephones for client use. They also help clients arrange transportation, get work clothes and overcome other problems.

Goodwill of Central Arizona provides similar services at career centers across metro Phoenix. During the first eight months of 2008, the group had 39,000 visits from people seeking jobs, more than in all of 2007. They helped about 4,600 people find jobs in 2007.

"Our whole commitment is, simply, we put people to work," said Sara Turley, public relations specialist with Goodwill of Central Arizona. "We are in the business of connecting people with barriers, whatever they may be, with gainful employment so that they can lead self-sufficient, economically-independent lives."

"God put the right people at the right place for me," said Daniel Melies, 53, who is now a third-year apprentice electrician at Phoenix-based Kortman Electric.