PROCEED, Inc

Securing employment is one of the most effective methods of combating homelessness; however, it is becoming increasingly more difficult to find stable, steady work. With a focus on job placement and development and an approach that caters to low-income clients, PROCEED works with individuals to not only identify employment opportunities available to them, but also to develop life skills that help them secure these jobs. 

During one-on-one sessions, clients complete an employment intake that assesses their skills and previous experience. Experienced staff members work with consumers and outside employers to find employment and training options that are apt for the client and that fill the client’s needs. Clients are notified about upcoming job trainings and are encouraged to explore different career options that may be of interest to them. They also receive personal, professional advice on topics ranging from how to fill out an application to how to write a resume and dress for an interview. Staff members put special emphasis on providing consumers with job-related information and referring them to various employment opportunities. 

You must live in Union County to be eligible for employment services.
To learn more about employment services or to find out how you can get involved, contact Mercedes Quintana at (908) 351-7727, ext. 228.

Job Fairs

PROCEED conducts monthly Job Fairs for community members at which individuals complete an employment intake and are connected to training and employment resources that can be of service to them. For example, special guests provide Home Health Aid trainings both in Spanish and English, and attendees can receive information about Homemaker (Caretaker) Classes.

Filling in the Gaps

While all of our programs promote self-sufficiency, we also know that sometimes people need a little help to get back on their feet. With this in mind, staff members guide clients as they learn to obtain and keep permanent housing, seek employment, and access community resources. In the past year, PROCEED has helped over 1,500 individuals in various endeavors, ranging from providing financial assistance to take the U.S. citizenship test to linking clients to a local food pantry. 

Services offered include, but are not limited to: interpretation and translation, job related services, linkage to food bank and food pantries, rental assistance, utility assistance, and referrals for food vouchers.   

PROCEED offers a range of services, and, though we hope that we have thought of a lot of ways to help the community, we know that there are always new needs and concerns that arise. Adapting to these is what spurs PROCEED’s continued growth. Although the service may not be specified, clients are always welcome to come in and ask for help with a particular problem or circumstance. We will do all we can to help the client directly, and if it is outside the scope of our abilities, we will connect him or her to appropriate community resources. 

This is made possible through the extensive referral network PROCEED has developed and continues to invest in. All services to which we refer clients are of the best quality available, have been extensively researched, and come highly recommended by either previous clients or peer institutions. 

For more information about requesting services or to learn how you can get involved, contact Mercedes Quintana at (908) 351-7727, ext. 228. or Diana Zevallos at (908) 351-7727, ext. 250. Read below to learn about specific programs offered.

Families in Transition

The Sanction Outreach Program alerts individuals when they are in danger of being sanctioned by welfare for failure to adhere to welfare requirements, such as attending daily classes. If they cannot begin adhering to these requirements for legitimate reasons (for example, because they have a job or another pressing family commitment), There are a lot of services readily available to help those in need; however, they are often not sought out as often as they could be, either do to lack of publicity or a perceived inaccessibility. PROCEED works to connect individuals in danger of being sanctioned by welfare to these services. This is accomplished through intense outreach activity and a well-develop referral network. By facilitating these connections, PROCEED hopes to increase the rate at which the welfare sanction community uses community resources, such as transitional services, career counseling services, and job development and. 

To be eligible, individuals must live in Union County and must have been in or are in danger of becoming sanctioned by welfare.