A Message to Friends of First Step

I'm writing because we need your help. As you know, I'm the Director of the First Step Program at Coalition for the Homeless. First Step is a 14-week job-training program that empowers homeless and low-income women to achieve employment and educational goals through computer training, case management, literacy building, internships, job-placement assistance, empathy and hope. Here's the new 5-minute video that chronicles a First Stepper.

Due to various factors including the current recession and the challenging job market, we've faced the same challenges that everyone is facing in terms of finding jobs for our students. Also, we're near the end of our current funding contract (June 30) and are looking for as many job placements as possible to meet and surpass our goals, and hopefully ensure continued funding.

Here's where you come in --- hire one or more of our students as a temp. Even short-term, temporary work can provide a very real benefit to First Step and our students. It can also be a very real benefit to you at a minimal cost. Our students are eager to work hard and can assist you in your office duties, including filing, faxing, photocopying, data entry and other administrative matters. By you providing one or more of our students with this opportunity, you are making a tremendous difference in their lives. You build their self-esteem, they earn some money, and gain work experience. And you get some paperwork done that's been piled on your desk for months!

I do recognize that times are tough right now. Whatever you are able to do is very much appreciated. When you get a chance, please let me know your thoughts.

Take care,

Rich Lombino, J.D., Esq.
Director - First Step Program