“People Don’t Want to Work.”

That’s the Myth.

The Reality Is Urgent.

The desire to work isn’t the problem — the barriers are. Many are stuck, facing eviction, hunger, criminal records, transportation barriers, or simply no one willing to give them a chance. That’s where we come in.

Our team is the human bridge between crisis and a steady paycheck. It’s personal connections, not paperwork, that get people hired fast. But today, there aren’t enough staff to meet the need. Your support is needed more than ever to help us fund an additional Workforce Expert.

11,000 office visits.

Thats what eight Workforce Experts handled last year — connecting people to jobs in under 30 days, far faster than the national average of three to six months. Now, demand has surged beyond what eight people can sustain. Wait times stretch for hours. Some clients leave before being seen, even though they are days from losing housing or stability.

The Chance That Almost Slipped Away

One busy afternoon at our Mesa office, 52 job seekers filled the lobby, and the wait time was over 2 hours. Hearing the need for backup, our Chief Programs Officer, Lindsay, dropped everything and drove across town to help.

That’s when she met our client, Jason. Jason came to our office desperate for steady work. He had been waking at 2:00 am for unpredictable day labor jobs just to keep his sober-living bed. Facing a two-hour wait at our office, he nearly walked out.

Lindsay recognized his potential immediately. His skills matched an opening with one of our Preferred Business Partners, so she sent his resume directly to the hiring manager. Days later, Jason had a job: $18 an hour. Steady hours. Overtime. A real future. After his first shift, he came back to our office, covered in concrete dust and smiling. “If she hadn’t been there,” he said, “I might have lost my place to stay.”

Opportunity Shouldn’t Depend on Luck

Jason’s success came down to timing — one staff member, one conversation, one moment. At St. Joseph the Worker, we don’t believe in quick handoffs or rushed conversations. Our staff takes time with each client to understand their story, identify their barriers, and uncover their strengths. That personal connection is what allows us to match people not just to a job, but to the right job for lasting success. For every Jason who gets that chance, many others are left waiting — missing job leads, falling behind

Your Support Puts Hope Within Reach

We are working to add another Workforce Expert so that people ready to work are not turned away by long waits or limited capacity. One staff member can connect hundreds of job seekers to employment each year — creating stability for individuals and strengthening our entire community.

Please give today to help expand our team and connect more people to work, stability, and hope.