Program Overview
The New Beginnings project provides job search support and direction to those individuals who have been identified as long term homeless which is defined as a year or more. It is Atlanta Workforce Development Agency’s mission to assist participants in jump starting their journey back into the workforce. Individuals will work closely with the designated Career Advisor to develop an Individualized Employment Plan (IEP) in preparation for employment. The plan will include basic skills and career interest assessments, ongoing counseling and coaching, work experience, occupational training, and job placement assistance. The Career Advisor will work with the participants to search for job matches with participating employers for those individuals who are job ready. Those participants who are not deemed job ready will be enrolled in an occupation-specific skills training program such as construction to increase employability. If a client does not qualify for this program, he or she may still be referred to AWDA for general services.

Eligibility Requirements
Individuals must be clean and sober, able to complete a standard employment application and be willing and able to work. Individuals MUST have been homeless a year or more and have housing secured with an assigned case manager who is willing to collaborate with AWDA. Please have customer sign the informed consent authorization.

Referral Process
Referrals and initial prescreening should be done by the case manager at the partner agencies. The referring agency will complete the assessment and refer to AWDA at 818 Pollard Blvd for enrollment in the project. Participants must attend an orientation before receiving any services. Orientation is offered Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday at 8:15am 404-658-9675. Participants must have completed referral assessment at time of orientation. Upon completion of orientation, participant will be asked to provide referral to facilitator and will be directed to appropriate Career Advisor.  

Service Strategy
The following services are available to all participants enrolled in the program.

• Assessments (TABE and Career Interest)

• Employment Readiness Classes

• Resume Preparation

• Interviewing Skills

• Computer Training (Basic / Intermediate)

• Computerized Training (Customer Service, Electrical, Healthcare, Office Clerical, and Workplace Skills)

• Construction Classes (day/evening)

• Forklift Training

• Warehouse Logistics Training

• Work Experience

• On-the-Job Training