Jobs Plus Program

The Rock Hill Housing Authority (RHHA) has long been a beacon of hope and empowerment for low-income families in York County, South Carolina. With 369 public housing units that are divided into 8 communities, we have found that there has been a need to create programming to assist residents that are working toward their goals. Among its numerous initiatives, the Jobs Plus Program stands out as a transformative force, fostering economic self-sufficiency and community revitalization. RHHA's Jobs Plus Program is significant and underscores why Nan McKay awarded RHHA the 2024 Associates Resident Service Award. The program's successes are a testament to RHHA's Jobs Plus Staff's commitment to enhancing the lives of its residents.

The Jobs Plus Program is designed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by public housing residents, with the overarching goal of promoting self-sufficiency and economic mobility. RHHA recognizes that sustainable community development can only be achieved by tackling the root causes of poverty and unemployment in our communities.

The primary objectives of the Jobs Plus program include:

1. Increasing Employment and Earnings: By providing comprehensive job training and placement services through partners such as SCWorks (South Carolinas Workforce Development) WIOA Program, York Technical College, and Staff Zone. Our program aims to significantly boost employment rates and incomes among residents.
2. Enhancing Financial Literacy: The program includes financial education to help residents manage their income, save for the future, and achieve financial independence. We have partnered with United Way of York County, Family Trust Credit Union, Founders Credit Union, City of Rock Hills Housing  Development Corporation, and Blu J Agency to help the residents achieve their goals.
3. Fostering Community Support: Through community-based support networks and peer mentoring, the program encourages mutual aid and collective action among residents. This is achieved through the efforts of Shayna Anthony and Aaliyah Douglas, Jobs Plus Community Coaches. This position is reserved for public housing residents only. They have fostered connections with hundreds of residents. With this connection, they have been able to refer over 35 residents, giving them an opportunity to become part of the program. Our three career coaches were able to enroll over 75% of these to get them on the path to success.

The RHHA's Jobs Plus Program sets itself apart through a multifaceted approach that goes beyond traditional employment services. The program's innovative strategies are tailored to meet the specific needs of Rock Hill's public housing residents. Regardless of where one may be when they join the program, the effort of the Career Coaches, Community Coaches, and Resident Services Manager has been second to none.

The foundation of the Jobs Plus Program is its robust job readiness and skills training component. The RHHA has established partnerships with local educational institutions (Rock Hill Adult Education, York Technical College, Winthrop University, and Clinton College), vocational training centers (Voc. Rehabilitation, South Carolina Commission for the Blind) and industry professionals to offer a diverse array of courses from GED to master's degrees.

Our team feels that training alone is insufficient without effective job placement and retention services for participants. Therefore, we have cultivated strong relationships with local employers to facilitate job placements for program participants. With this relationship, we have been able to host over 20 regular job fairs, networking events, and on-site recruitment drives, that have created a direct pipeline for employment.

Additionally, RHHA provides ongoing support to help residents retain their jobs. This support includes career counseling, mentorship, and professional development workshops. Our Jobs Plus Career Coaches, Barbara Anglin-Law, Ariah Massey, and April Witherspoon help in the planning of these workshops, led by Resident Services Manager Owen Phillips. As a team that promotes long-term success, we all address the entry and retention phases of employment.

By recognizing the barriers that can impede participation in job training and employment, the RHHA's Jobs Plus Program offers a range of supportive services. These services include:

1. Childcare Assistance: The Jobs Plus Program provides temporary Childcare Assistance through a voucher system, partnered with First Steps of Rock Hill. This ensures that parents can participate in training and employment opportunities without worrying about the safety and well-being of their children. We have since transferred all children from the voucher to free childcare assistance through a strong partnership with Rock Hill Boys and Girls Club, and their director James Ford.
2. Transportation Assistance: Providing reliable transportation options to help residents commute to training centers and workplaces. This is done through the purchase of a 15-passenger Ford Van, where residents can call ahead, and schedule pick-up.
3. Financial Literacy Workshops: Offering education on budgeting, saving, credit management, and homeownership to help residents achieve financial stability.
4. Mental Health Resources: Access to counseling and mental health services to support residents' overall well-being. The support to work starts in mind, and if our residents need services, we will make sure to refer them.

To further encourage participation and retention, RHHA has implemented incentive-based programs for residents. These include rent incentives. The Jobs Plus Program implemented Jobs Plus Earned Income Disregard (JPEID) to employment milestones, which not only motivates residents but also provides immediate financial relief. A baseline is created on the day of enrollment, and once the participants earned income increases, their rent would not. This helps create savings towards bill pay, homeownership, etc.

Quantitative data from the program reveals a marked increase in both employment rates and average income among participants. Rock Hill Housing Authority residents who have completed training programs report a higher likelihood of securing employment and earning higher wages compared to their peers who did not participate. This income growth translates directly into improved living conditions, better access to healthcare, and greater  opportunities for the next generation.

The employment rate among participants increased by over 50%, and average annual income rose by approximately 35% within the first year of program participation. These statistics underscore the program's effectiveness in achieving its primary objectives!

Beyond the statistics, the personal stories of transformation among  residents stand as powerful testaments to the program's impact. One of our program participants was a single mother who struggled to make ends meet. Through the Jobs Plus Program, she received training in medical coding and billing, a field she had never considered due to a lack of awareness and resources. With the support of the program, she not only completed her training but also secured a job with a local healthcare provider. Now, she is self sufficient and serves as a mentor to other residents, inspiring them to take control of their futures.

Another inspiring story that is in reference to a young man who faced numerous barriers to employment due to a lack of skills and a criminal record. After connecting with a Career Coach, they came up with a plan to secure financial stability for the young man. He was introduced to a career of driving trucks. The young man completed truck driving training and received his Commercial Driving License (CDL) Now he is able to provide for his family.

The benefits of the Jobs Plus Program extend beyond individual residents to the broader community. By promoting economic self-sufficiency and reducing dependency on public assistance, the program fosters a culture of empowerment and resilience throughout the City of Rock Hill. Perhaps the most profound impact of the Jobs Plus Program is its potential to break the cycle of poverty. By providing residents with the tools and opportunities to achieve economic independence, this program creates a pathway for future generations to thrive. Children growing up in households where parents are employed and financially stable make them more likely to succeed academically in their pursuit of higher education. It also creates positive feedback that will inspire others in the community.

The Nan McKay and Associates Resident Service Award recognizes excellence in programs that enhance the lives of public housing residents through innovative and effective services. The RHHA's Jobs Plus Program embodies the spirit of this award through its comprehensive approach, measurable impact, and long-term vision for community upliftment!

The long-term vision of the Jobs Plus Program aligns perfectly with the goals of the Nan McKay and Associates Resident Service Award by fostering economic self-sufficiency, promoting social cohesion, and breaking the cycle of poverty. The program contributes to sustainable community development that benefits current and future generations.

The Rock Hill Housing Authority's Jobs Plus Program is a shining example of how targeted, comprehensive initiatives can transform the lives of public housing residents. Through the Jobs Plus team's innovative approach, measurable impact, and commitment to long-term community development, the program not only uplifts individuals but also revitalizes the broader community. It is for these reasons that the RHHA's Jobs Plus Program deserved recognition from Nan McKay and was awarded the Associates Resident Service Award, celebrating its exemplary contribution to resident services and community empowerment throughout the City of Rock Hill.