The world is changing with each passing day. As we all work to adjust to our new normals, HopeWorks thanks you for your support. It’s because of you that we are able to provide hope to those who need it most or wouldn’t get a second chance otherwise. Currently, our adult education classes are underway and operating online – protecting our students and instructors by following social distancing guidelines. This allows each of our students to finish their coursework and receive their education.
Even though they’re working remotely, our caseworkers are contacting up to 20 HopeWorks students and graduates per day to assess their safety and well-being. Our case managers are equipped to support employment and other vital needs, and by reaching out to our students, they are serving as a lifeline to critical aid.
We’re grateful for continued support – because our virtual doors are open, all of our employees are working remotely with full pay. It’s not ideal, but our staff is nimble and engaged. Thanks to their efforts we are able to continue progress forward in spite of circumstances.
For some, however, this transition hasn’t been so smooth. Countless Memphians, some of them HopeWorks students and graduates, have been furloughed or laid off from their jobs. For these students, HopeWorks’ transitional job grant has played an important part during this pandemic. The transitional jobs grant provides temporary work to those who have been out of the workforce for an extended period of time. Individuals can work at a private for-profit entity or at a nonprofit.
The transitional job grant allows HopeWorks to assist participants who are classified as unemployed, underemployed or with an inconsistent work history. If you or someone you know is in need of transitional job assistance during this time, please reach out to HopeWorks’ internship director, job placement and retention specialist Amy Braden at abraden@whyhopeworks.org. The Greater Memphis Chamber has also compiled a list of local organizations that are hiring during this time.
Together, we can get through this.