A holistic approach to job training helps rebuild lives

Mo’s life took a dramatic turn when he was struggling with addiction, homelessness and shoplifting because he couldn’t hold a job. In an effort to help him, his stepfather gave him a one-way bus ticket from Illinois to Seattle. Mo arrived penniless, but desperately wanting a second chance.

Five days after Mo’s arrival, he went to check out an orientation at Uplift Northwest (formerly Millionair Club Charity), a nonprofit in Seattle that focuses on job training and placement for those experiencing poverty, substance use disorders (SUD) and/or homelessness. “What Uplift offered me was a sense of belonging, you know, a kindness I hadn’t been shown,” Mo says. “A lot of people don’t have that, especially people on the street like I was.”

While there are many barriers to people like Mo finding employment, a job is an important piece of their recovery plan. A report recently released by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, stated that employment can enable people with SUD to remain on the path to recovery due to both economic and noneconomic benefits of working a steady job.

Uplift Northwest works to provide individuals who struggle with SUD and/or homelessness the opportunity to rebuild their lives through meaningful long-term employment. “Our program not only helps participants overcome employment barriers but also equips them with the tools and resources needed to sustain long-term success,” says Lisa Sato, employment case manager at Uplift Northwest. “Through partnerships with local businesses and community organizations, we create pathways for lasting change, giving individuals the second chance they deserve to reenter the workforce and rebuild their lives.”

Personalized services break through barriers to employment

The USDHHS report found that while much attention has been given to developing and implementing effective treatment efforts for substance use disorder, employment services have historically not been a primary element in these programs despite the importance of securing a job to recovery. According to Sato, that may be because of the variety of barriers people experiencing SUD, poverty, and/or homelessness face — and there are no cookie-cutter solutions.

“Being unable to afford food makes it difficult to think straight, sleeping on the streets isn’t restful and there’s usually not a place to shower,” she says. “All of these things impede the ability to come off well during an interview. And then there are practical concerns like how to get identification to prove you are eligible to be employed. Obtaining a driver’s license or access to transportation, and having the right attitude and confidence to do well in a work environment are other barriers some people face. That’s why we offer a customized approach to employment services, taking each individual’s needs into consideration.”

Mo received job skills, soft skills, computer training and essential support services that helped him rebuild his life. He was placed on a temporary job assignment with Catholic Community Services where he’s currently employed full-time — and proudly sober. His greatest personal achievement is earning his driver’s license, a symbol of his commitment to moving forward. Uplift paid for the licensing test, and when Mo passed, he cried on the instructor’s shoulder. “I couldn’t help it,” he says. “Out of my mother’s four sons, I’m the last remaining one. None of them had a license.”

A holistic approach leads to long-term employment

Uplift Northwest offers a holistic approach that includes tailored support services, personalized job coaching and targeted job placement with employer partners, all woven together to empower individuals to regain stability and self-worth. In contrast, other approaches that focus solely on technical skills or quick job placement may fall short because they don’t consider the personal development aspects that are crucial for sustaining employment. In 2023, Uplift Northwest connected individuals with 1,656 jobs.

“Programs that neglect emotional intelligence or collaboration skills, for instance, often leave participants unprepared for workplace dynamics,” Sato says. “Similarly, a narrow focus on job-specific skills without fostering a growth mindset can limit participants’ adaptability and resilience.”

“Uplift matters to me because it saved my life,” Mo says. ” … They gave me a purpose and they renewed my hope. Having a job means everything to me because it gives me a sense of belonging. It gives me a sense of pride to do something to the best of my ability.”

For over a century, Uplift Northwest, formerly known as the Millionair Club Charity, has been creating pathways to self-sufficiency for individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness in the Puget Sound region.

Uplift Northwest.