Mission: Focusing on the age-old principle of offering a hand up rather than a handout, the mission of Jacob''s Ladder Job Center, Inc. is to help the unemployed and underemployed find and keep living wage jobs. Our goal is to help disadvantaged people achieve economic self-sufficiency and improve the quality of their lives.
Results: Jacob’s Ladder is a free, four-step job readiness program. Our approach to helping our clients become self-sufficient stresses partnerships with community agencies and local businesses. We are not a job placement center. We concentrate on teaching acceptable work ethics and coaching clients in the “soft skills” of job readiness and job retention. In our first 12 years, we have served approximately 4,000 clients with 2,000 securing full-time work. Several hundred more achieved part-time employment to build reliable work histories.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 500+
Geographic areas served: Charlotte, NC Mecklenburg County and surrounding areas
Programs: Jacob's Ladder Job Center runs a four-step program that teaches clients such skills as resume writing, dressing for success and interviewing techniques. After a client has completed the four steps, we provide them with lists of openings from employers we have recruited to hire our clients. We also provide mentoring while on the job and access to a professional dress clothing closet.
• We pair clients with trained volunteers to determine their needs, practice interviewing, and prepare résumés. • We teach clients to research employers, create a personal job search plan, and update the plan weekly. • We provide bus passes or gas vouchers for clients to get to interviews and first weeks on the job. • We provide free business dress to clients who need it for interviewing and first days of employment. • We connect participants with local agencies to address childcare, housing, hunger, and medical needs. • We support newly employed clients to ensure job success and retention. • We network with employers with entry- and mid-level jobs, including those who are willing to hire individuals with criminal backgrounds and/or limited work histories. • We advocate for full-time work at living wages with employer benefits.
LawrenceC
Professional with expertise in this field
02/16/2012
Rating: 5
02/16/2012
Fantastic organization! Simply stated, they delver on what they say they do. Lean and responsible management that have a serious commitment to their clients and donors. I've worked with them for 5+ years and am always impressed with the innovation and commitment they show
SHG Consultants
Professional with expertise in this field
01/30/2012
Rating: 5
01/30/2012
As an outpatient mental health practice, we have many clients in need of employment development assistance. We have worked with several different employment development agencies is the past but now we only refer to Jacob's Ladder. In comparison, this organization brings far more to the table than any other employment readiness/ development programs! Jacob's Ladder works with individuals from the inside out: meaning their curriculum starts with the person and personal development then incorporates employable skills while equipping each participant with tangible tools that help them find and land fulfilling employment. Their efforts to help individuals find jobs are unmatched in this community. No other agency goes above and beyond employment development like Jacob's Ladder. The after care, education, advocacy and linking is amazing. We do not refer our clients that are in need of employment to any other agency. Thank you Jacob's Ladder!
David64
Professional with expertise in this field
01/19/2012
Rating: 5
01/19/2012
I found Jacob's Ladder this summer. Immediately I was surprised by the passion and dedication of the staff. Their passion for the mission of getting the community back to work is rivalled by none other. Their dedication to each individual that comes through their doors can not be matched.
