FAQ

Why can't a person experiencing homelessness just get a job?

The top 5 reasons a person experiencing homelessness can't get a job and how Union Rescue Mission is working to help:

PROBLEM #1: He/She can’t read.  Many people experiencing homelessness are illiterate. They are unable to read “help wanted” ads or fill out a job application.
SOLUTION: Through our Bank of America Learning Center, we help people experiencing homelessness improve their reading and other academic skills. Many of our students make great progress very quickly!

PROBLEM #2: She has no phone number or address.
Job applicants need a way for potential employers to contact them. But that's only the beginning. Enrolling a child in school, applying for appropriate aid, even filling out a rental application all require an address.
SOLUTION: The Mission provides an address and contact phone number for men and women in our emergency shelter and recovery programs.

PROBLEM #3: He/She has no job or life skills. Employees need job skills as well as relational skills to get along with bosses, coworkers, and customers. People experiencing homelessness from dysfunctional backgrounds often have neither.
SOLUTION: Through hands on work experience, Bible studies, and classes, we help people experiencing homelessness develop the skills they desperately need to succeed. The Men's Christian Life Discipleship Program (CLDP) and the Second Step Program for women offered at URM are comprehensive programs with the goal of empowering people to live fulfilling, independent lives.

PROBLEM #4: He/She has mental health or addiction issues. Severe depression, crippling addiction; problems like these often prevent people experiencing homelessness from being successfully employed.
SOLUTION: Through our biblically based 12-step program, long-term residential Recovery Programs, and our Mental Health Clinic, we can help men and women make significant progress.

PROBLEM #5: He/She has no clean clothes or place to shower.
Being clean and presentable is a must for job interviews, but difficult to manage when you're living in a cardboard box or under a bridge.
SOLUTION: Union Rescue Mission provides showers and clean clothing for all of our guests. Before a job interview, we make sure a man or woman has appropriate, professional attire from head to toe.