StepUp Job Readiness Program

Our target population is formerly incarcerated, unemployed and underemployed individuals with challenging backgrounds and poverty in Guilford County. This includes 80% African American, 12% Caucasian, 1% Hispanic, 1% Asian, adults aged 21-55, often individuals and their families who do not have stable living arrangements. About 60% of participants have criminal backgrounds. (2024 SalesForce Data). The Job Readiness Program will give participants skills that will guide them to act with integrity and responsibility for themselves, their communities, and the skills to become productive citizens and leaders.

The Job Readiness Program sessions are conducted by a team of volunteers and staff. The training encourages accountability and responsibility. Participants gain insight into effective communication, networking, interviewing skills, dressing for success, and building a resume.

Employing best practices from StepUp North Carolina and partnering with United Way and Salvation Army. StepUp trained 175 participants from our local workforce to have the knowledge, skills, and opportunity to attain and retain stable, family-sustaining employment and assist these individuals to break the cycle of poverty. StepUp’s Jobs programs improve their marketability to prospective employers.

The conditions addressed by StepUp include criminal backgrounds, underemployment and unemployment. The majority are African American and Hispanic or have criminal backgrounds. Only 58 percent of Greensboro 123783 African Americans are employed (US Census).

The income per capita in Greensboro is 10% lower than the national average. The median household income is $42,802 or 23% lower than the national average. The poverty rate in Greensboro is 20% which is 31% higher than the national average.”

The census tract with the highest rate of unemployment (high number of StepUp participants reside in this tract), almost 16%, is located south of West Gate City Boulevard between South Elm Street and Freeman Mill Road. (City of Greensboro Conditions and Trends.” 

To overcome these conditions, our Job Readiness participants are equipped with soft skills, life skills, and computer skills to better prepare them for integrating into productive careers of the educational, health, and social services sector., “which now represents the largest component of Greensboro’s occupational workforce” (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 

Step Up’s team include local community volunteer staff,  retired business volunteers, faith-based community, mental health staff  and training providers share in the desire to work together to prepare Guilford County’s current and future workforce by integrating academic, vocational, and social services with workforce development. Additionally, former program participants in this capacity creates a greater sense of community, ownership and teamwork while increasing the volume and quality of grant-funded services.

Led by the Executive Director, Anthony Bass (Former StepUp Employment Recruiter). Step Up provides a comprehensive system of assessment, career planning, training, placement, and support for job seekers throughout Guilford County. Referrals to StepUp are mostly by word of mouth or face to face interaction through our  outreach efforts around Guilford County. Last fiscal year alone, StepUp registered 359 participants.

Since 2011, StepUp Greensboro Job Readiness Program has served more than 2000 Greensboro and Guilford County residents. StepUp has expanded its Jobs programs to include Money Boot Camp, Life Skills, Character Development and Bridge programs. These programs build on the skills introduced and developed during the Job Readiness week of training.

Participants learn anger management coping skills, how to think forward, additional mock interviewing, and the opportunity for a real-world interview. 

StepUp Job Readiness graduates earned on average $15.46 per hour, improved credit scores, and obtained permanent housing. Recently, one of our former participants purchased a home.  

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What makes StepUp Greensboro unique is our focus on character building, conflict resolution and employment sustainability. At StepUp, our investment to our participants goes beyond employment placement; as we want to see them succeed in multiple areas in their life such as personal development, financial literacy, emotional health, and physical well-being. Without success in those areas, our agency knows that employment may be obtained, but it will not be sustained. Our instruction on strategic thinking equips participants with tools to overcome barriers such as anger/stress management, relationship building, and communication.

Although, no other program in Guilford County offers the diverse services provided by our Job Readiness program, StepUp Greensboro collaborates with several community organizations such as NC Works, Welfare Liaison Reform Project, Goodwill, and Dismas Charities to address the employment gap and income barriers in our Greensboro community.  Our agency also collaborates with agencies such as The Salvation Army of Greensboro, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Guilford County Schools (the Parent Academy) to offer a unique participant centered curriculum to participants that allow them to participate in our Job Readiness program at their agency without creating another barrier such as transportation.

Impact goals for StepUp Greensboro includes promoting economic mobility, improving educational outcomes, and supporting personal and professional development for individuals in the community, especially those from low-income and historically underserved backgrounds.

StepUp Greensboro Job Readiness program provides case management, one-on-one coaching, peer support and mentorship to support participants' personal growth and soft skills development. The impact has historically improved the participants’ confidence, communication skills, leadership abilities, and work habits.

Full Time - 3

Part Time - 4

StepUp Greensboro has been conducting Job Readiness training for 13 years.

Our Board considers all aspects of a candidates’ background when making hiring decisions. Our team meets regularly for open and honest communication to ensure everyone’s voices are heard and ideas are encouraged.

Since 2011, StepUp Greensboro has been dedicated to supporting individuals and families in the Greensboro community overcome barriers and create a realistic path to self-sufficiency.  Our mission is to motivate, equip, and empower individuals to become and remain self-sufficient.  StepUp Greensboro utilizes a Compassionate Accountability approach in which we develop relationships with participants while strengthening and requiring their personal accountability. With our Compassionate Accountability approach, we believe that anyone can change his or her life when given the time, support, and an opportunity.  In order to achieve this goal, our agency utilizes a three-step (Employment, Life Skills, Staying Connected) pathway that we are confident increases the likelihood of economic sustainability in our participants.

During the Employment phase, participants complete a weeklong series of workshops that teaches job skills and encourages individuals to make positive changes in their lives.

During the Life Skills phase, participants can attend our Bridge programs (life skills, character development, and money boot camp) to learn more about budgeting, personal and relationship development, goal setting, and more. Our focus is to provide intensive case management and support that inspires lasting change with the goal of long-term stability.

During the Staying Connected phase, participants are able to continue their growth towards a positive future as well as reach a hand back to help the next person. Through our Alumni Program, participants continue to develop their own careers and communication skills as well as become a StepUp ambassador for future participants.

Our primary foundation partners are the Cemala Foundation, the Truist Foundation, and the Lincoln Financial Foundation. Our annual fundraiser, the Impact Luncheon, continues to grow. We have added new foundation and faith partners in recent years. We have applied for state funding to host the re-entry program for justice-involved individuals. We also partner with other service organizations teaching classes such as GenerationEd and Guilford Parent Academy.

We believe our model works real, impactful change in peoples’ lives, especially those who are justice-involved. We hope to expand our programs to empower even more individuals to grasp new opportunities for themselves and their families.