Employment Enhancement Opportunity Program is Stepping Stones’ special on-the-job workforce training program. For over 15 years, EEOP provides people who need a helping hand getting back into the workforce with a safe place to learn skills for their future.
Our job training program originally was designed to help women in our safe shelter learn job skills to enter the workforce when they often had limited work experience. Over time, our job training program grew to also support others in our community who need a second chance to get back into the workforce.
EEOP can start from the beginning and teach basic job skills like managing time cards, customer service, and running a cash register. But it also can help develop more specialized skills like driving box trucks, operating machinery like forklifts, and becoming a leader.
Who does EEOP help?
Isolation/no work history: For some of the families in our safe shelter, they experienced isolation in their abusive relationship or did not work because they stayed home to raise children, etc. Often these adults feel like they don’t have any skills they can use to apply for jobs in the community because of their lack of formal experience. Megan* came to Stepping Stones after experiencing years of abuse from her husband. He gradually isolated her, first by having her stay home and not have an outside job to eventually severing contact with her family and friends. Megan was home alone with her husband as her only contact for many years before she finally was able to leave and get help at Stepping Stones. Her confidence was low because she didn’t believe she had any skills to offer an employer, but Stepping Stones Thrift Store was a safe place for her to begin to regain the self-esteem she needed to believe that she was worthy and capable. Two years later, she was able to find a full-time role at a medical office to pursue her new journey toward becoming a nurse!
Recovery: Finding a safe place to work and an environment that understands the road to recovery can be difficult. Our team understands 12-step recovery, can provide resources, and even flexibility so that people can make it to meetings. Johnny* came in for an interview for an open thrift store position because he heard from a friend in sober living that Stepping Stones was open to working with people in recovery. He was still early in his journey, but he was committed to his sobriety and wanted to be in a supportive environment. Our team saw the skills he would bring to our team and gave him a chance. Five years later, he’s still successfully walking his path of recovery and an important part of our team!
Probation/criminal history: Adults with past criminal history or on probation often face difficulty getting hired. At Stepping Stones, we know that a second chance can truly change someone’s life and help them take steps forward on a better path for their future. Matt* came to Stepping Stones through his court-ordered community service after getting out of prison for a variety of drug related charges. He was not able to find a job after his community service was complete, and with an open thrift store position, he applied and was hired. Because Stepping Stones took a chance on him, he was able to rebuild his life with stable employment, a chance to learn new skills, and build healthy relationships in the community. Today, Matt has over 15 years of sobriety, and is a leader at his job!
A Common Thread – Pass It On
Adults we work with in our EEOP program not only learn on-the-job skills and self-confidence, they learn how to teach others to do the same. The opportunity to give back and “pass it on” helps the person teaching as much as their peer. It allows for the chance to raise up new leaders who have lived experience that can connect and grow with others in our community who need a second chance and a helping hand.
EEOP is another way that our thrift store is more than just a fun place to treasure hunt – it is also a place where people can grow in their skills and confidence in order to become better employees in our community!
* All Names Changed
Recent Comments