PHOENIX (December 7, 2017) – St. Joseph the Worker (SJW) received a grant in the amount of $150,000 from Thunderbirds Charities in support of the Employment Heals Communities Program. Thunderbirds Charities’ support will help women, men, and families – referred by both the Individual and the Family Housing Hubs across Maricopa County – in ending their hardships and poverty through employment by providing direct program support, such as professional job development services, transportation assistance (bus passes), and crucial work essentials (safety equipment, tools, uniforms, non-slip shoes, and steel toe boots).
According to Brent Downs, Executive Director, “Support from Thunderbirds Charities will help us meet the needs of job-seeking individuals and families in Maricopa County, Arizona who are motivated and ready to work, however, lack the basic resources and support to secure employment because of their economic status.”
“We’re thrilled to help St. Joseph the Worker and their mission to empower hard-working people in our community,” said Thunderbirds Charities President Andy Markham. “Together, we can help give motivated individuals and families the tools they need to succeed, and that’s certainly a worthy cause.”
SJW is a privately funded, non-profit located in Phoenix, Arizona whose mission is to assist homeless, low-income, and other disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient through quality employment. For almost 30 years, SJW has focused solely on empowering men, women, and families to transform their lives through employment.
“St. Joseph the Worker is truly honored to receive this grant,” said Brent Downs. “With the caring and committed support from Thunderbirds Charities, we can transform lives by building a stronger, healthier community.”
About St. Joseph the Worker (SJW)
SJW is a privately funded non-profit whose mission is to assist homeless, low-income, and other disadvantaged individuals in their efforts to become self-sufficient through quality employment. In 1988, volunteers from André House, a shelter and soup-line, created SJW in response to a plea from homeless individuals receiving dinner in the park: “We want jobs, but we don’t have the tools.” And since then, SJW has focused solely on empowering the economically challenged, underemployed, and unemployed to transform their lives through employment. Last fiscal year, SJW helped 3,883 disadvantaged job-seekers to rise above substantial barriers and become gainfully employed. More information is available at www.sjwjobs.org
About The Thunderbirds/Thunderbirds Charities:
THUNDERBIRDS CHARITIES is a non-profit organization formed in 1986 to distribute monies raised through the Waste Management Phoenix Open golf tournament. The Thunderbirds Charities Board consists of 15 board members from varying professional backgrounds. The mission of Thunderbirds Charities is to assist children and families, help people in need and improve the quality of life in our communities. The organization’s giving is directed toward organizations based or with a significant presence in Arizona. The Thunderbirds were founded in 1937 with the mission of promoting the Valley of the Sun through sports. The Thunderbirds consist of 55 “active” members and more than 250 “life” members. For more information on the Thunderbirds or the 2018 Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit www.wmphoenixopen.com. For more information on the Thunderbirds Charities, visit www.thunderbirdscharities.org.