My job development efforts target all of Caritas clients, only approximately 1/3 of which are refugees. We help all kinds of people experiencing poverty. The populations face different barriers and sometimes there is overlap. Refugee Works is great, but I often wish for local job development resources with a different perspective. So, I’ve been trying to tap broader Caritas networks for a more localized, in-person support group.
The Texas Workforce Commission includes lots of great resources and I've found several like-minded colleagues in that system. They're different in every State, so you'll have to explore in your area. The social service network for ex-offenders has also been an innovative and active source of information. I recently attended an Offender Employment Specialist certification course that gave me lots of new contacts, resources and ideas. Goodwill Industries (read more below) is also a national leader in putting people to work.
Recently, I’ve encountered two especially useful resources for training and employmetn opportunities from our non-refugee networks that have benefitted my work with refugees, as well, so I wanted to share.
Goodwill Industries: Many of you are probably familiar with Goodwill. They offer so many great services, although they differ by location. Often the eligibility criteria for most of them includes some type of disability that serves as a barrier to employment. We’ve found that definition to be more expansive than you might imagine and some of our refugee clients have qualified to participate. The best resource for refugees has been employment in the retail stores, which do not have the same eligibility criteria. They are very supportive employers that emphasize training and advancement opportunities. All of their openings are listed on the national website http://www.goodwill.org/ We have also met with all of the hiring managers in the individual stores that are on bus lines. Some agreed to receive an email copy of the applications or a heads up that a qualified Caritas client has applied. Several refugees, including some with very low English language proficiency, were already working at Goodwill Stores, so we were able to provide examples of their success and references from other Goodwill store managers.
Transportation Workers Identification Credential (TWIC): This credential is a pilot program of the Maritime Transportation Safety Administration to ensure that anyone who might “pose a threat do not gain unescorted access to secure areas of the nation's maritime transportation system”. It is now required for dock workers, long shore workers, truck drivers and anyone who has unescorted access to secure areas or regulated maritime facilities like ports and vessels. It includes biometrics, digital photographs and an extensive background check. In addition to being required for certain types of jobs, it can give qualified refugees an extra edge. Asylees, refugees and Legal Permanent Residents are all eligible, but there are stringent documentation requirements. For example, a foreign passport AND I-94 are required. The website to find out more is http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/layers/twic/index.shtm. This doesn’t really apply in landlocked Austin, so I can’t provide any first-hand experience.
If anyone gains insight or has good experiences with either of these resources, it would be great to hear from you through this site.
Great ideas, Lorel! Thank you for sharing. I know that Goodwill is a great partner for refugee employment in the Atlanta area too. Haven't heard about the TWIC but will start asking around.
ReplyDeleteYour point about tapping into non-refugee network is key. Its very common for refugee service providers to isolate themselves and their clients by only looking at refugee-specific resources. But, like you said, many of the challenges refugees face in their journey to self-sufficiency are the same as other populations.
What other non-refugee resources are out there? Hope to hear from some of you!