Community Corner

Rotary Club Helps Local Residents Find Employment

The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is teaming up with Homestretch to help the organization's clients find permanent jobs.

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ALPHARETTA, GA -- The Rotary Club of Alpharetta is joining forces with a well-known north Fulton County organization to help local residents obtain employment.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The club, along with its other counterparts throughout north Fulton, are working with HomeStretch to help clients find permanent employment.

HomeStretch is an organization that addresses some of the root causes of homelessness in the community. It is one of the few programs in the country that not only provides housing, but works with the families to help stop the cycle of homelessness.

Find out what's happening in Alpharetta-Miltonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

HomeStretch guides homeless, single parents to permanent stability through an 18- to 24-month program that emphasizes growth leading to stability in the areas of personal finance, employment, healthy families and housing options. While receiving subsidized rent and utilities, residents must maintain full-time employment.

However, the challenges of obtaining permanent employment via current resources has created continued hardships for HomeStretch clients. Using temporary jobs and staffing services leave clients struggling to meet monthly expenses due to the uncertainty and fluctuation of contract hours and jobs.

So, the Rotary Clubs are working with HomeStretch to solve this recurring problem.

The program is designed to connect potential employers to qualified employees who can and are able to fill open positions effectively. One of the benefits for employers is that they do not have to pay recruitment expenses.

HomeStretch is responsible for pre-screening applicants and performing criminal background checks. The Rotary clubs for now will begin to reach out among club members and local employer contacts -- who may now use staffing agencies -- to inform them of this program.

Long term, the clubs plan to offer HomeStretch workplace seminars to coach clients on interviewing skills and resume writing.

“This expanded opportunity with HomeStretch presents a win-win for employers, HomeStretch clients, and the community as a whole," said Rotary Club of Alpharetta President Kirk Driskell. "Our members are honored to share their professional experiences with HomeStretch clients to help them obtain solid employment opportunities. Our club is very proud to support Homestretch, which provides valuable services and support to members of the community. I look forward to our continued work with Homestretch in the coming years.”

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