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COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS PARTNER TO INSPIRE AND SUPPORT HOMELESS RESIDENTS AT STEPPING STONE EMERGENCY HOUSING
Three organizations in Anoka County are taking innovative action in a pilot project to assist Stepping Stone Emergency Housing residents in working to end homelessness for its residents. “Step into Action” is a program developed in collaboration with the Anoka County Library (Library), the Anoka County Workforce Center (WFC) and Metro North Adult Basic Education (ABE); three partners that have an established record of providing training to unemployed or underemployed residents of Anoka County.
The partners have developed a collaboration with Stepping Stone Emergency Housing so its residents may receive:
- Focused development on job search training, resume writing, interview skills, job retention and on-the-job success.
- Evaluation and assessment for current and future educational opportunities.
- Ongoing support in and knowledge of library resources and technology.
- Increased knowledge and access to Anoka County resources for education and training.
Each organization brings its unique skills to the project. For example, librarians from the Anoka County Library will continue to provide weekly outreach services to Stepping Stone with library services and programs, and provide training in the use of technology and the library’s online resources. Stepping Stone residents will also visit the library and take advantage of the array of technology and services available, receiving support and guidance with technology-related issues and library resources.
Trained assessment coordinators from Metro North ABE will visit Stepping Stone twice each month. They will provide residents with reading and math assessments to determine their proficiency in both subjects so that residents can create a plan to pursue additional training and education. The planned outcomes are that residents will develop a plan for training and education based on their current education level and, as appropriate, become online learners using ABE services to establish the fundamental skills required to complete their education goals. Emily Watts, ABE Program Supervisor, said, “The residents and staff at Stepping Stone Emergency Housing have been so supportive of Metro North ABE. Coming into a supportive environment where residents hear a similar message from all the partners helps ensure that there is an entire network in place for residents to rely on as they see how education and training can fit into their short- and long-term goals.”
The Anoka County Workforce Center will come to Stepping Stone on alternate weeks to present a curriculum of skills focusing on job searches, resume writing, interviewing, job retention and on-the job success. These classes build upon each other and are repeated every four months so that Stepping Stone residents have the base knowledge to pursue additional options.
“This is a great example of our community coming together to solve a problem and support people in need,” said Rhonda Sivarajah, chair of the Anoka County Board of Commissioners. “Government is not the answer for everything and so it’s our privilege to work alongside these talented and compassionate community organizations to help people find a path to success!”
The partnership has found creative ways to leverage financial resources to fund this program. Metro North ABE is using its resources to provide program coordination and cover some expenses. Stepping Stone will use its Opportunity Fund, created by a generous Stepping Stone donor, to support the fees of ABE instructors. The Anoka County Library has tapped into some local funding from MELSA, the regional library for the metro area, to utilize the services of the WFC for a variety of job preparation classes under the Library’s umbrella. The result is a partnership that will give Stepping Stone residents the opportunity to develop an individualized, step-by-step plan which will guide them into understanding where they stand educationally, what is possible in the future, and how to get there.
All partners have made preparations for the future. The Workforce Center and Metro North ABE are looking beyond evaluation and preparation, and have already developed exceptional programs in which residents can receive credentials. Residents at Stepping Stone will be referred to training programs which include the Young Adult Program (age 18 – 24 years old), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and Career Connection with training pathways in Office and Administrative Technology, Precision Sheet Metal, and Healthcare Pathways (CNA), partnership projects between Metro North ABE, WFC and local colleges. In addition, the Anoka County Library will assist residents in honing skills for the future by providing training on library resources and technology for life-long education. By working together, this collaboration uses Anoka County’s resources to ensure that Stepping Stone residents will continue on a pathway of success once they move out.
If you’d like more information about Stepping Stone Emergency Housing, please contact Julie Jeppson at jjeppson@steppingstoneeh.org or 763-354-4709.