2. Overview
Employment Hope exists to provide employment opportunities
for disadvantaged adults in the communities served by the
MSHA, equipping those individuals to attain the highest possible
level of health, particularly in the spirit of hope, in spite of their
difficult circumstances. The ideal Employment Hope candidate
will serve in honesty, with a caring and compassionate attitude,
respecting our vulnerable healthcare customers.
3. What is a “disadvantaged adult”?
A disadvantaged adult can be defined as
chronically unemployed and underemployed,
including the persons living with disabilities and
those living at or below the poverty line.
Oregon WorkforceSystem RedesignWorkGroup(2013)Designing Oregon’sWorkforceSystemfor a Changing Economy: Work Group
Recommendationsto the OregonWorkforce Investment Board
Alssid, J.L.,Gruber,D., Jenkins, D.,Mazzeo, C., Roberts,B., & Stanback-Stroud,R. (2005).Engaging institutionsin workforcedevelopment:
Career pathwaysfor disadvantagedadults. New DirectionsForInstitutionalResearch,2005(128), 83-97.
4. Case Studies - 1
• “Shelly”
– Homeless in April; family of 5 living
in motel
– Finishing 3rd month at Family
Promise
– Cleaner in appearance, more
disciplined, looking for work
instead of applying for disability
– Had interview at McDonald’s and is
on 3rd day of employment today!
– Available 9:00 – 4:00
5. Case Studies - 2
• “Robert”
– Contact from Good Samaritan Ministries
– At 16 heard gunshot as he was leaving the house;
mother had committed suicide
– Years in and out of prison
– GED while incarcerated
– Walked 3 miles to pick up application and 3 miles
back to return it
– Loved working temporary job
– Never missed any time though he was living on the
street
– At 57 he wants to have a job he can take pride in
6. Project Employment Hope
Advantages Disadvantages
Corporate Responsibility – Community
Support
No Smoking Policy
Loyalty to MSHA resulting in retention Retention Challenge Due to Transient
population
Training Costs Funding available to MSHA
through Workforce Investment Act
Efficiency of Mentorship Hours
(Paid Staff or Volunteer)
Mentorship Assures Quality
Reduced Recruitment Costs
Career Development Potential
7. Our Inspiration – Jessica Stamey
• Joined MSHA as a Catering Associate at
JCMC – June 2008
• Enrolled in the nursing program at E.T.S.U.
and did clinical rotations at JCMC
• Nurse Intern I with cardiac, neuroscience
and trauma at various facilities
• Obtained nursing license September 2013
• Charge nurse, preceptor and now Assistant
Nurse Manager as of June 2015
8. Project Hope Advisory Board Members
Alliance for Business and Training
Dawn of Hope
Family Promise (IHN)
First United Methodist Church
Good Samaritan Ministries
Johnson City Public Library
Mountain States Health Alliance
Summit Leadership Foundation
United Way
Veterans Administration
9. Decision Points
– How do we set up communication in agencies?
• Flyers
• Recruiter’s time
– How do we utilize the Employment Center?
• Fill out applications onsite
– How should the Advisory Board be structured?
• Meeting monthly or quarterly
10. Resources
• Alssid, J. L., Gruber, D., Jenkins, D., Mazzeo, C., Roberts, B., & Stanback-
Stroud, R. (2005). Engaging institutions in workforce development: Career
pathways for disadvantaged adults. New Directions For Institutional
Research, 2005(128), 83-97
• ETSU Social Work Intern “Coffee and Conversations”
• Family Promise (Formerly Interfaith Hospitality Network)
• Good Samaritan Ministries
• Johnson City Public Library
• Mountain States Health Alliance, Organizational Development; Spiritual
and Pastoral Care
• North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services
• United States Department of Labor. (2014). Workforce Investment Act of
1998 (WIA)
• Veterans Administration “Compensated Work Therapy”
The purpose of Project Employment Hope has been aligned with the Mission, Values and Philosophy of the Mountain States Health Alliance as set forth in the Orientation Program for new Team Members.
