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Paving the Road to Self-Sufficiency

Much of the effort in Impact’s welfare-to-work programs is directed toward accelerating the rate of positive change in clients’ lives. Although much has changed in this field, Impact has adapted through the decades, continuously finding new ways to help people take charge of their lives and take care of their families.

At the core of current efforts is the Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation (PWDC) funded EARN Center, the first of Philadelphia’s eleven centers to be launched. Typically serving 1000 young parents a year, Impact marked a major milestone in December 2007 as its Center placed its 1000th customer on the road to employment and self-sufficiency.

There are lots of stories, both of struggle and triumph, surrounding that accomplishment.  A very busy team of more than 20 case workers, teachers, and job developers have been hard at work since February 2004 getting to know people, as well as their skills, stories, needs.

The pace of the two-floor center often draws comment. Orientation class bubbles away in one room, TABE testing in another, with GED classes down the hall. Case managers are counseling next door to the office of the Child Care Coordinator. The resource room glows with dozens of computers, and the Clothes Connection is there assuring that people have interview attire. Job developers are in and out, making contacts in the fields and arranging on-site interview opportunities with major employers. Inspirational and informational messages abound, and charts outline the impact of employment on family income.

Change is also helped along by outside training resources and post-employment support. Just ask Lady Y, checking in with her case manager after six months on the job.  Even before she earned her GED, she was determined to get a job in the medical field.  With help from a grant and a small student loan, she was able to go outside the Center, successfully complete a Medical Office Training program, and land a job paying over $10 per hour.  Now, if she can just crack the social studies section of the GED test, all her original goals will have been met in less than one year!

Change, acceleration and support. It is gratifying work.

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