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Homelessness Awareness Week starts today. The Arizona Coalition to End Homelessness is hosting a series of events including an awareness walk Friday morning.

Learn more about helping end homelessness this week.

St. Joseph the Worker is doing its part to end homelessness every day. Despite a challenging job market, St. Joseph the Worker has helped 220 people find full-time, sustainable employment during the 2008-2009 fiscal year.

The agency specializes in serving the homeless and other disadvantaged individuals. Some 46 percent of its clients who found jobs also secured benefits and earned a starting wage of $9.50 per hour.

“Each of these successful clients is now a dedicated employee that is able to contribute and give back to their communities,” said Amy Caffarello, executive director.

A successful St. Joseph the Worker client thanks the agency for helping him out of homelessness and into a job.

Other St. Joseph the Worker facts:

• More than 650 clients came to St. Joseph the Worker last year for comprehensive job service assistance including individual job search help, job readiness resources, referrals and encouragement and practical support.
• Staff and volunteers reached out to nearly 575 incarcerated individuals by teaching them job search strategies and job readiness skills to prevent homelessness or re-incarceration after their release.
• An Avonadale Starbucks just wrapped up a benefit clothing drive.
• The outreach ministry at St. Thomas More Parish in Glendale is holding a car raffle to support the agency. The drawing is Nov. 22.

The agency could always use more volunteers, job interview clothes and materials, work clothes and other in-mind items. Feel free to get involved.