Through each of our Neighbors at Work programs, we assist at-risk youth and young adults in obtaining and maintaining employment. Our desire is to help them reach self-sufficiency through employment training and life skills development.

Level Up Workforce Program

Funded by the Department of Labor – WIOA Title I-B program, serves youth 16-24, in partnership with ARIZONA@WORK, a partner of the American Job Center Network. In April 2021, we began onboarding and launching our new contract with the City of Phoenix and now after only 7 months, we have over 50 enrollments and 30 more participants on their way to join the program.

There is a new certified nursing assistant in town and her name is Laila! Through LEVEL UP, this youth was given the tools to explore various career options and set educational goals to pursue her dreams. She attended Accord Healthcare Institute, passed her state tests and became the first to complete LEVEL UP’s Occupational Training course. We’re excited to see her succeed in her career pathway!

OPPORTUNITEES

OpportuniTees is a silkscreen and embroidery micro-social enterprise that provides hope, training, and support to disconnected youth, inner-city youth, former gang members, and previously incarcerated men and women, allowing them to redirect their lives and obtain job skills to become contributing members of our community.

Providing these services virtually in 2021 provided a real challenge. Not only were many of our young families hit with unemployment or reduced hours, many more were limited by an inability to afford internet services and computers, further alienating those we sought to serve. But, thanks to key parent volunteers, we were able to innovate and invite those in need to small at home, outdoor gatherings we called Cafecitos – to not only provide existing services, but to expand them as well. God is good!

Thrift Store

The Mercado Thrift Store sells new and used clothes, shoes, electronics, and furniture. This thrift store also serves as a job training center. Parents of youth in our programs volunteer each week and earn credit to purchase items at the thrift stores.

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Participated in the Employment Services via Neighbors at Work