Despite Tough Economy, NY Social Services Program Helps Find Jobs for Those With Barriers to Employment

New York, NY 10035

www.cucs.org

Rubenstein Public Relations

Telephone: 212-843-8073

Contact: Adam Mazur / amazur@rubensteinpr.com

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

       FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Even with the Difficult Economy, New York Social Services Organization

Continues to find Work for People with Multiple Barriers to Employment

New York, March 3, 2009 – The Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) Career Network continues to find sustainable employment for people struggling with multiple barriers to employment.  CUCS’s Career Network offers no-cost job training and job placement services with a wide range of supports to low–income individuals living in its supportive housing programs, particularly those with special needs. The programs’ goal is to prepare and place individuals in competitive employment at a livable wage with health benefits.

Utilizing Supported Employment (SE), a research evidence-proven model, candidates’ personal interests and strengths are prioritized in their own individualized job search. A diverse and long-term set of supports are provided both to the applicant and the employer ranging from prevocational services, job maintenance, career advancement strategies and quality assurance. The Career Network was awarded the 2008 Science and Service Award from the United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for its successful implementation of the SE model within its supportive housing programs. Following its implementation, twice the number of tenants with special needs had access to employment services.  CUCS has demonstrated that SE can be smoothly integrated into existing services and now CUCS’ national training and technical assistance department, the Housing Resource Center, will be assisting other supportive housing providers in implementing SE at their own sites.

The Career Network has placed job-seekers in a variety of agencies and positions. In 2008,104 candidates were placed into diverse fields of employment and 11 of these employees were promoted. The Career Network has not only been successful in employing applicants in existing employment opportunities through the continued advocacy of its Employment Specialists but it also has been successful in developing new jobs in a difficult job market. The Career Networks’ Job Developers canvas and build relationships with employers to identify job openings while seeking positions that have been identified by the Employment Specialist as targets for individual tenants. 

 “The Career Network’s success is a combination of an integrated team working together to find great employment opportunities for our tenants in partnership with supportive employers in the community,” commented Tony Hannigan, Executive Director of Center for Urban Community Services.

 About Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS)

Headquartered In East Harlem in New York City, CUCS is the nation’s largest provider of social services in supportive housing as well as a comprehensive human services agency that implements new practices, actively shares its knowledge and assists in shaping local, state and national strategies so that persons who are homeless, low-income, living with mental illness or have other special needs can live successfully in the community.

For further information about the Center for Urban Community Services Career Network or to speak with a CUCS representative please call (212) 843-8073 or email: amazur@rubensteinpr.com.