SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane nonprofit has found significant success placing people who typically struggle to find employment in work opportunities, but the organization says it’s hard to keep up with demand.
Dignified Workday uses a “work-first model” to help people transition to stable housing and employment. The organization employs around 65 workers but maintains a much longer waitlist of people ready to work.
“This is where all the magic happens. It’s organized chaos, really,” said Elijah Rodriguez, operations coordinator for Dignified Workday.
Each morning, employees gather at the organization’s headquarters to receive their daily work assignments. The workforce includes people who have trouble qualifying for traditional jobs and those experiencing homelessness.
“We’re trying to develop skills through on-the-job training or skills that everyone has developed in the past,” Rodriguez said.
Workers take on various projects throughout Spokane, from construction and painting to street cleaning. The organization also operates a full carpentry studio at its headquarters, where employees craft cabinets and other woodwork for community projects.
Autry Stills works as a group lead with Dignified Workday and says each day is a learning opportunity.
“I’ve learned to run the scissor lifts here. I’ve learned to run the Bobcat. I’m pretty much a lead at this,” he said.
Program Manager Kathy Hammonds said the work is empowering in that it gives opportunities to those who are eager to work.
“The common misconception that we hear all the time is that homeless people do not want to work, and that is absolutely false,” she said.
One major undertaking involves renovating the Collins Building, where workers are constructing workforce transitional housing units in the upper floors and Dignified Workday offices below. The organization also hopes to open a storefront in November across from Catholic Charities.
Michael Dassow, who serves as paint supervisor for Dignified Workday, brings 20 years of painting experience to his role. He said he struggled with addiction in the past but found that Dignified Workday helped him reconnect with skills he now uses to benefit the community.
“It’s like helping people get to where I am, you know? I get overwhelmed by just thinking of how far I’ve come in the last 20 years,” Dassow said.
In the past year, 14 Dignified Workday participants have transitioned to permanent jobs and were able to secure stable housing.
“We’ve got a good family here,” Stills said.
Despite the program’s success in placing workers, the nonprofit faces a significant challenge. The organization has identified over 500 people ready to work, but lacks sufficient projects to employ them all.
The nonprofit is continuing to look for more public and private contracted projects for employees who want to contribute to their community.
“They show up every day. They work hard. They’re proud of their contribution. They’re proud of the work that they’re doing,” Hammonds said.
For more information and to get involved with Dignified Workday, visit www.dignifiedworkday.org.
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