Job Readiness Program at Susan's Place

The Job Readiness program at Susan's Place takes homeless health care a step further. By offering a 12-week program to teach skills that will equip residents for obtaining future employment. Care for the Homeless partners with the staff of the New York Public Library’s Grand Concourse Branch (155 E 173rd St., Bronx), and the Davidson Community Center (2038 Davidson Ave., Bronx) to provide training to program participants. Participants learn adult literacy (reading, writing, and math skills), basic computer skills, job preparation necessities (resume and cover letter writing, interview skills, job searching) and life management skills (strategizing, coping and stress management).

Participants also intern at Susan’s Place Monday through Thursday for 12-15 hours per week, Monday-Thursday. Intern positions include Sales Associate at Classic Re-Runs, our non-cash boutique of donated clothes; Dining Hall Assistant, who maintains a clean and organized dining area; and Activity Coordinator, who designs and organizes activities for the residents of Susan’s Place.
In order to participate in the Job Readiness Program, prospective candidates must be presently homeless and living at Susan’s Place, must be legally authorized to work in the United States and able to commit to the entire 12-week program.

Susan’s Place finished its first cycle of the Job Readiness program in May 2012, with six women graduating from the program. One graduate said, “Because of a disability in my right hand and my arthritis, I always felt that I could only focus on one thing. But now I know I can work and have a job even with my physical condition. Now I feel that I want to go back to school to become a recreational director or a translator to help people who don’t know how to speak English. And I can start here at Susan’s Place.” The Job Readiness Program supports the dignity of homeless women and helps them become leaders in Susan’s Place, encouraging other women to participate in Job Readiness and become leaders themselves

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