Lexington, KY - This fall, a new nonprofit group dedicated to helping those most in need of help in finding and keeping jobs will set up shop in central Kentucky, thanks to the work of three of Lexington's leaders: Bill Rouse, Guy Huguelet and Max Appel.
The program, Jubilee Jobs, started in the Washington, D.C. metro area as a nonprofit workforce development organization committed to helping the poor, disadvantaged and unemployed to obtain the jobs they need to move beyond poverty to sustained self-sufficiency. Far from an entitlement program, each participant's success is based on personal responsibility and self-action. This structured program, designed to offer sustenance, dignity and hope, has helped more than 19,000 people find employment since its beginning in 1981.
Rouse came across the program while visiting Washington, D.C., several years ago, and saw it as a viable resource for those in Central Kentucky suffering from the fear and despair that accompany the inability to find work. He shared the Jubilee Jobs model with Huguelet, who was involved with his staffing business, ADECCO, at the time and could not take on another project. Huguelet's subsequent sale of ADECCO, however, opened the door for him to make plans for a local Jubilee Jobs program.
"We provide compassionate, skilled job preparation and placement services to people who need it most, including ex-offenders, welfare recipients, immigrants, the homeless and the formerly addicted," said Huguelet. "Once people are working, we focus our efforts on job retention and 'next steps' toward career growth."
Starting with orientation at 9 a.m. on Monday mornings, Jubilee's jobseekers learn that they must focus on their successes today and the future, not the failures of the past. They are greeted with respect and the clear expectation that they will be self-disciplined in completing the one-week program of job preparation. They must also be willing to re-enter the job force in entry level, unskilled and low-risk jobs.
Those who decide to continue in the program will commit to following directions from the job counselor. This action replicates the demands of employment, requiring observance of starting times, job responsibilities, and interactions with fellow employees, supervisors and consumers.
Following the orientation, each individual meets with a job counselor.
Small group workshops dealing with customer service and conflict resolution follow individual counseling. One-on-one rÈsumÈ development is also provided. "Dress rehearsals" for interviews precede actual interviews with prospective employers. Clients are also provided suitable clothes for the interview, adding to their personal dignity, self-respect and respect for employers in the job interview process.
Accountability is expected, and any break from the process results in the participant having to start the program again from the beginning the next week. Participants are not limited in the number of times they can return to begin the program again following a lapse in completing an assignment.
Clients who are self-disciplined and successfully complete the program requirements are provided referrals to pre-arranged interviews. Constructive follow-up is provided, and the job search continues with interviews until the individual becomes employed. Ongoing contact and counseling are provided to each employee to ensure employment is sustained.
One person's sustained employment and the ability to be self-sufficient has far-reaching benefits within every community. Individuals and families have opportunities to move from the isolation of homelessness and poverty.
Children experience a role model who is successful as a result of personal responsibility and perseverance. Success modeled by Jubilee Jobs graduates motivates others seeking employment to "get onboard."
Self sufficiency brings a heightened sense of self-worth and, for many, a desire to be a positive force within their communities.
Rouse, Huguelet and Appel, the program's organizers in Central Kentucky, share a long history of service to Lexington and the surrounding communities. Rouse has been a tireless advocate for the homeless and disenfranchised in Lexington, and Huguelet, who will serve as the program's volunteer executive director, recently served as chairman of Commerce Lexington and is currently chair of the United Way of the Bluegrass Campaign. Appel is involvement coordinator at Southland Christian Church.
As the program is launched, one job counselor will be employed, but Huguelet's commitment to a program offering solutions for the disadvantaged unemployed must be supported by other like-minded members of the community. This includes the most important component - the employer partners providing jobs for Jubilee Job graduates. In Washington, D.C., the Jubilee Jobs program, headed by co-founder, executive director and job counselor Terry Flood, depends heavily on the support of businesses that employ individuals in food service, maintenance, housekeeping, construction, hotels, retail, security and hospitals, and the Central Kentucky program expects to do the same. The Washington, D.C. Jubilee "family" also includes staff, volunteers, board of directors, Corporate Advisory Board, the Women's Committee and donors, in addition to the partnering businesses.
Jubilee Jobs is a nonprofit and funding from a host of contributors, including individuals, businesses and organizations, is central to responding to the needs of the community. Volunteers will be needed for staff support and fundraising efforts.
Jubilee Jobs is located in the Community Ventures Corporation office at 1450 North Broadway in Lexington. The organization expects to launch its first orientation for potential clients in October.