Horizon Houses helps the homeless get job ready

Horizon House is helping solve the homeless crisis in Indianapolis by helping the homeless population get job-ready. 

Marcie Luhigo, Director of Development and Communication at Horizon Housing said that there are multiple circumstances due to which the homeless population fails to secure a job. Although multiple people treat homeless people as lazy outcasts who do not try enough to get a job, many of them have other issues such as lack of documentation, clothes, a place to get ready, basic training, etc. Luhigo says that most of them do not have personal identification documents like a birth certificate or driver's license. Background checks are also a matter of concern. Until they have a steady stream of income, these people are likely to remain homeless. Horizon House provides a place for them to shower, eat and get ready to find employment. They also offer job readiness workshops that provide the participants with necessary soft skills, upskilling, a variety of training and information, and encouragement coaching. Something that they emphasize is providing them with hope and stories of success. They have speakers who came from similar situations and managed to find a job and turn their lives around. Such stories give the participants hope and encouragement. This workshop helps them secure what is termed as gainful employment which is basically job prospects that will help them grow and eventually afford an apartment. The mentors of the workshop keep in touch with the participants through regular follow-ups in case they need to talk to someone and make sure they stayed employed for over 90 days. Horizon House also connects with employers specifically who hire this type of talent rather than those places where they do not have a chance. 

Source: WFYI Indianapolis