Arriving at The Sister Mary Alice Murphy Center for Hope, Josh was directed to Hand Up Cooperative (HUC). Before he could start the HUC job placement program, Josh had to overcome his drinking problem. The HUC Case Manager suggested he attend Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Once enrolled and connecting with his sponsor, Josh was able to commence the HUC program that would lead to a new beginning. Working with the HUC Case Manager, Josh sharpened his job seeking skills, wrote a resume and started answering employment ads. Josh had worked on a roofing crew a few years back and he and the Case Manager felt that a roofing job was the best strategy for quickly earning the steady income he needed to get resettled. Based on his dedication to the HUC program, the Case Manager knew that Josh had the potential to go much further.

After only two months, Josh had saved enough money to make a down payment on a pickup truck. It wasn’t new, but it was the first substantial thing he had owned since his life on the streets. Two months later Josh quit his job. Not because of a relapse, but because he knew he was ready to branch out on his own. In September 2011 Josh paid another visit to Hand Up Cooperative. This time he didn’t need a job. Instead he wanted employees for his new roofing company. “If I can find a crew as motivated as I was, I know I can make this business a go,” Josh told the Case Manager. “You helped me get the hand up I needed. I want to give back, and I know the guys that leave your program will be ready to work.”

* This is the true story of a recent HUC client. The name of the individual is disguised to protect his identity. Josh’s company has been profitable since its first month of operation. Since 2008, Hand Up Cooperative has placed over 90 homeless people from Fort Collins and Loveland in steady jobs that have allowed them to become self-reliant.

Two and one-half years ago, Doug was living in a dangerous neighborhood with his 11-year old daughter. Concerned for her safety, Doug enrolled in the Hand Up Cooperative job search skills training and placement program and after working hard constructing a resume and honing his interviewing skills, received a job offer from Hilton Fort Collins. His job is an important one; handling the maintenance of the hotel, a job that must be performed around the clock. Since the beginning of his tenure with Hilton Fort Collins, Doug has made himself invaluable by working hard, keeping a positive attitude and by helping fellow employees and guests in the hotel.

Doug received an award as Associate of the Month earlier this year making him eligible to for the Associate of the Year award. According to Edward “Ned” Sickle, General Manager of the Hotel, “At the end of each year… one associate is selected in a very competitive process to receive the honor of Associate of the Year. This award is the Hotel’s most prestigious award. Doug was selected because, in the opinion of the managers of the Hotel, Doug exemplifies the work ethic, hospitality and dedication of the Hilton Fort Collins.”

What has his job at the Hilton Fort Collins meant to Doug? “Since working with Hand Up and gaining employment at the Hilton, the biggest thing I’ve noticed is stability. My daughter’s life is now stable; we have our routines down. We’ve got our life back, both our physical possessions and a home, but also peace of mind.”

Daniel Covey, Director of Hand Up Cooperative commented, “With Doug’s work ethic and the job search skills learned in our program, unemployment is something he really should not be worried about. While each of our participants has employability challenges that they strive to overcome, Doug’s success should be an inspiration to all.”

Doug’s advice to those seeking the pathway towards self-sufficiency, “To the best of your ability, stay positive. Everyone is working very hard to stabilize themselves and their families. But many times it doesn’t happen as quickly as you want. You have to stay positive and keep plugging away.”

Congratulations Doug!

Save the dates will be sent out soon! Make sure you’re on our mailing list by emailing gnewman@handupcooperative.org

From our streets…to our workforce.

After losing his job in Phoenix, Ken and his wife decided to relocate to Fort Collins where he had lived as a boy. After applying at numerous local companies without luck, Ken was facing homelessness as their life savings would soon run out. Ken entered the Hand Up Cooperative program and quickly was able to revise the resume that his aunt had written for him. At the same time, Valley Steel & Wire had an opening in their distribution warehouse. Ken polished his interviewing skills and traded in his worn jeans and T-shirt for dress slacks, button down shirt and tie. (Thank you Homeless Gear!) He was ready.

The day of the interview, Ken was nervous, but he did not need to be. The owner of Valley Steel & Wire would later comment that Ken was amongst the most polished candidates he had ever seen. With his employment now stabilized, Ken and his wife were able to rent an apartment, and are now enjoying the holidays in their new home.

Read more about Ken in the USAToday!

In an effort to find some stability for himself and his daughter, Doug enrolled in the Hand Up Cooperative. He did very well throughout the education and screening phase.  He improved his résumé, sharpened his interview skills, and showed that he was motivated and hard working.  After completing the education and screening phase, he applied at the Fort Collins Hilton, one of our partner organizations. Doug was hired after doing well in the interview process and has been stably employed there for more than nine months.

The Fort Collins Hilton provided Doug with a mentor to guide him through his newfound life. He and his mentor, David, have formed a strong bond and the relationship has proven to be an asset in Doug’s life.  He recently received a promotion and is now living in stable and safe housing.  His daughter is much happier and is doing well in school.  With the support of the Hand Up Cooperative Doug has effectively moved from poverty to stability.

- Hand Up Graduate, Nick

Two years ago layoffs at Longmont Dairy Farm, Inc. led Nick down a path he had never foreseen. Nick was happily living in Longmont in a house he had owned for twelve years. He owned a nice new car, an Audi A6. He was even helping support his mother w­ho was living in an assisted living facility in Fort Collins. But when he lost his job Nick’s life quickly changed.

“After I got laid off, I had to start from ground zero,” Nick said. “I lost my job, then my car, then my house.”

Before long, Nick found himself completely homeless. He migrated north of Longmont to Fort Collins to be closer to his mother while he tried to get back on his feet. While living in a homeless shelter he tried for many months to find a job. Nick filled out more than one hundred job applications, without any success. Then one day, a social worker at the homeless shelter recommended Nick try working with Hand Up Cooperative.

Nick met with Hand Up Cooperative director Daniel Covey and enrolled in the Hand Up program. He began to take a series of skills classes at the Workforce Center of Larimer County. He and his Hand Up case manager worked on interview skills and the classes he took helped him sharpen his computer skills. Not long after enrolling with Hand Up Nick completed the curriculum and received an opportunity for an interview with Hand Up partner, Center Partners, Inc. After a successful interview with Center Partners, Nick landed a full-time job in the company’s Web Telesales Support department. Nick credits Hand Up Cooperative for helping him find his job.

“If you just fill out applications around town, it’s not enough,” Nick said. “But with the classes and the Hand Up program, I was able to show that I’m motivated and deserve a chance at a job.”

Nick’s been employed more than a year and loves his job. By continuing with Hand Up he’s been able to find affordable housing after living in a shelter for six months. Hand Up referred Nick to Neighbor to Neighbor, a local housing affordable housing agency and last November he moved into an apartment not far from his new job.

From being homeless for almost an entire year to being fully self sufficient, Hand Up has equipped Nick with the tools he needed to be successful each step of the way.  –  Jan. 2011

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