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Bridging

A Community Support Program Newsletter

Andrienne Poindexter and Person to Person

Person to Person was established in 1989 by a group of volunteers with the mission of supporting the efforts of low-income neighbors as they strive to achieve self-sufficiency. Through a number of programs, the organization has fostered independent living skills, promoted self-esteem and sense of purpose, and guided many people toward new opportunities in their lives.

Andrienne Poindexter (pictured-r, with Person to Person director, Leila Erlandson) became involved with Person to Person in August 2007 after receiving a referral to the site through Tree Trust's Community Support Program. Between August 2007 and January 2008, she gained demonstrable, positive work experience while contributing her time to this important organization. She has gained in-depth knowledge about a variety of foundations, assisted with workshops on topics such as financial management and has been a valuable contributor to the Hungry Lil' Readers Club, which encourages family literacy.

Andrienne has found that the population served by Person to Person simply includes "regular, everyday people." She says that she has "learned how to give and not just receive all of the time," and that this is one of the most important lessons that she has gained from her experience. Andrienne began receiving wages for her time when Person to Person agreed in January to become a work site with Tree Trust's Supported Work program.

Andriene successfully completed the program in April, 2008! Congratulations, Andrienne, and thank you for all of your hard work and important contributions to Person to Person.

New Supported Work Program Takes Off!

The Supported Work Program, the newest addition to Tree Trust's Community Support Program (CSP), provides part-time, subsidized employment to parents who receive Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) assistance.

Unemployed parents are able to gain practical employment experience while also getting work skills, training, and positive references. Participants are referred to a variety of work sites, where they can work for an average of 12 weeks.

How it works~

Tree Trust's CSP identifies and recruits businesses and public and non-profit organizations to provide meaningful work positions for the program's participants. Many of the positions available include child care assistant, food service, stocker, clerical or reception, janitorial or maintenance, retail, and health care. The placement opportunities are aimed to be easily accessible to participants throughout the metro area and offer a variety of work shifts.

Employment counselors refer their clients to a Tree Trust Supported Work orientation. The orientation covers a variety of employment details, including soft skills, interviewing tips and practice, and information about timesheets and pay schedule. Then CSP placement counselors contact participants when a work position referral is ready and available for them.

After receiving a referral, participants contact the job site supervisor to arrange for an interview and start date. Participants are paid directly by Tree Trust, twice per month, at a rate of $7.25/hr. Participants can work up to 22 hours/week and the employment period usually lasts an average of 12 weeks. Typically, Supported Work Program employees also do part-time job search and utilize their new experience and skills to help them find permanent employment. Many participants have had success finding a job shortly after completing the Supported Work Program. In fact, more than 45 Supported Work program participants have obtained unsubsidized employment! Congratulations!

Nicole Young's Supported Work Experience

Nicole Young was one of the first individuals referred to Tree Trust's new Supported Work Program. Nicole's job counselor, Amina Ibrahim, identified Nicole as a good candidate for the program because of her hard work, motivation and persistence. Nicole, a mother of three young daughters, had recently obtained her associate's degree as a paralegal and was having a hard time finding work her field. Most firms she applied to were looking for someone with one to two years of experience. Nicole realized it was going to be hard to "get her foot in the door."

However, Nicole found the opportunity to do just that when she came to Tree Trust's Supported Work Program. Nicole was referred to and hired by Greeman Toomey Law Office as a temporary legal assistant helping with legal documentation, filing, and administrative work.

Gratefully, Nicole's story has a happy ending because Greenman Toomey recently made her position permanent. Congratulations Nicole-Tree Trust is proud of your accomplishments!

Nicole says of her job at the legal firm, "I'm learning to set priorities and sort out tasks. I'm learning so many new things. I love to go to work and I love being a good role model for my daughters. They're learning from me that if you work hard, you really can reach your goals and dreams!"

About her overall experience with the Supported Work Program, Nicole says, "Thank you so very much for being a part of this transition in my life. I am very overwhelmed with enjoyment and excitement. I'm so happy that everything worked out great, and I am so happy -I would recommend Tree Trust to anyone trying to get into the real world. The staff has been great and so helpful. Truly, thank you!"

Ronita Hyde Brings Stability to Infants at Northside Child Development Center

Ronita Hyde was referred to Northside Child Development Center through CSP's unpaid work experience program in September 2007. Since the day she began as a child care assistant, she has been helping in the infant's classroom and has become an important fixture for the children, ages 6 weeks to 15 months. Ronita helps with snacks, nap and play time. This role has been a perfect fit for Ronita. "I love babies, and I love watching them grow while they learn so many new things. Infants are a lot of fun!" Ronita says that her experience at the site has been great. "I've worked at a few other day care centers, and this one is different." Her future plans could include some child development classes which would further increase her employment prospects in the child care field. Keep up the great work, Ronita!

Annika Rutenbeck Joins CSP

Annika Rutenbeck joined the Tree Trust staff as a Placement Counselor on March 24th. Annika is a recent graduate of Hamline University where she majored in Sociology. She discovered an interest in non-profits as an intern at Chrysalis Women's Center in Minneapolis . She is eager to work with the employment counselors, clients and host site supervisors. The Community Support Program is glad to have Annika on board! Feel free to contact Annika at 612-521-8938 or annikar@treetrust.org to greet her and say hello!

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