Workforce Development Program prepares Mission Residents for Self-Sufficiency

The Long Beach Rescue Mission Workforce Development Program aids residents in achieving stable employment, learning financial literacy, and other essential tools before they transition into their new lives. 

LONG BEACH – The Workforce Development Program at the Long Beach Rescue Mission is helping to prepare members of the Mission’s New Life Program with the essential tools needed for a life of self-sufficiency. 

The Program features two Workforce Learning Centers: one for male residents at the Samaritan House; and one for female residents at the Lydia House. Members of the program learn tools, resources, and skill sets necessary for an individual to remove the barriers preventing them from finding work in the competitive job market, and to maintain stable employment.

Each participant is also provided with financial literacy training that advocates the fundamentals of good financial stewardship. This teaches them to build a budget, resolve debt, avoid credit card misuse, start savings and checking accounts, and create a long-term financial plan.

Specific employment objectives within the program include: providing a basic well-rounded education necessary to obtain and maintain employment; access to computers and internet for staying viable in today’s technology arena; provision of internships and identification of job opportunities; access to employment counseling; assistance with job search, resume construction and job acquisition; and, ongoing job support once the client acquires employment. 

In 2015, the Men’s Learning Center provided 14,820 individual career-coaching sessions for homeless male clients; and the Women’s Resource Center provided 8,320 career-coaching sessions for the women. Additionally, the career center staff provided 507 Employment Preparation classes for the clients, opened 200 savings accounts, and the most important outcome: graduated 119 men and women clients to independent living.

With the assistance of Mission staff and volunteers, members of the New Life Program are encouraged to set and achieve attainable goals through the Workforce Development Program.  The Mission “stands dedicated to helping individuals overcome the homeless cycle, achieve long term goals, and make a world of difference in today’s society.” In addition to the Workforce Development Program, the Mission also offers several faith-based programs for men and women who are looking to make a new start.
Volunteer help in other areas of the Rescue Mission are also currently available. Due to Covid-19 guidelines, a limited number of volunteers are needed in the following areas: Kitchen team; mentoring; tutoring in the Learning Center; Bible study and Thrift store support. Interested individuals will be required to wear a mask, and must be age 16 or older. For more information about how to get involved in the Learning Center or to volunteer in other areas of the Mission, call 562-591-1292 or visit https://lbrm.org/.