Back to Work – a “boot camp”-style program helping homeless men + women get back into the workforce – has graduated 84 Soda Citizens, with 58 currently working full-time in retail, food service, construction + light manufacturing. Instead of just basic job search help, the program focuses on things like how to write a resume, interview techniques, how to handle work situations + how to look for job. Participants go through various mock-interviews + role playing activities to help them better prepare.
Created in 2016 by the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce, the program gets most of its participants through referrals from Transitions Homeless Center + Palmetto Health’s Assertive Community Treatment. Resources like work clothing are donated by The Columbia Suit Program + Dress for Success.
After seeing the success of the Cola program, DEW launched a second program in Greenville (focused on drug rehab), and plans are underway for a third program in Rock Hill.
4 min read / Columbia Business Report
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