TPBUW_Annual Report 2017-proof_low res

MEET EVEREEN,
A TOWN OF PALM
BEACH UNITED WAY
SUCCESS
Evereen, a young single mother,
homeless at the age of twenty,
was linked to services at the Lord’s
Place. She immersed herself in the
Job Readiness class and began the
process of assessing her skills and
abilities, developing a resume and
identifying employment goals. By
demonstrating real potential through
hard work, dedication and showing
up on time, she was referred by her
employment specialist as a perfect
candidate for the clerical transitional
work experience program. The
daunting tasks of scheduling reliable
child care, dealing with mounting
financial responsibilities and maintain
secure housing, continued to be
challenges Evereen addressed,
however her sense of purpose and
resilience proved to be greater, and
as a result she was able to master
all of the clerical performance
assessments in record time. As a
result of the increased skills gained,
she was hired at a local nonprofit
– Clinics Can Help. Continuing to
set goals for her future, Evereen
is working diligently to acquire
advanced administrative skills all
while preparing to enroll at Palm
Beach State College.
16 | TOGETHER WE ARE POSSIBILITY
Investments in financial stability lift people out of poverty
because they allow working adults to build valuable
skills so they can earn more, pay down debt, develop
assets, and save for the future. The Town of Palm Beach
United Way’s work on financial stability focuses on
keeping people off of the streets, away from crime, and
into a stable lifestyle which is crucial to creating a safe
and healthy community for us all. The entire community
benefits from families and individuals who achieve
financial stability. Without financial stability, individuals are
more likely to engage in crime and risky behaviors and
are more prone to illness. Thousands of workers lack skills
required to secure jobs that pay family-sustaining wages.