Because having a good job is critical to independent living, Project Renewal has created a wide range of employment programs to take people from chronic unemployment to full and part-time work. Our Next Step department is aptly named: it helps individuals who have come to grips with addiction and/or mental illness take the all-important next step toward independent living. Clients can access all types of educational and work-readiness programs, training and internship programs, as well as placement in jobs.

As a first step towards entering the work world, each client meets with a vocational counselor to determine that client's employment goals. Together, they develop a plan on how best to achieve those goals: that plan may include further education, training, help with soft skills or the decision to move directly toward finding a job.

See what Channel Thirteen's newsletter said about our literacy program

Communicating on the street is very different than communicating on the job.  Our clients have survived on the street because they know how to do the former very well.  They know very little about the latter, however, severely impeding their ability to gain and retain employment.  Next Step’s Effective Communications Program helps clients learn how to communicate in the workplace.  We offer two workshops, both of which clients are required to complete to gain entry into the Job Placement Program.  The first workshop teaches clients how to communicate effectively with the three specific constituencies they will encounter on the job: employers (during an interview and on the job); co-workers; and customers.  The second workshop helps clients overcome barriers to employment by teaching them how to discuss issues such as a criminal background, gaps in employment, little or no work history etc. 

Culinary Arts
The food service industry offers disadvantaged workers both a wide range of entry-level jobs as well as opportunities for advancement. In 1992 Project Renewal began experimenting with various training program models. In 1995, these efforts culminated in the creation of what is now our award-winning Culinary Arts Training Program. The program has proven to be an enormous success: better than 85% of graduates have been placed in jobs since inception. The six-month job-training program consists of two twelve-week segments. In the first, students learn basic cooking theory and food preparation in the teaching kitchen located in the basement at Third Street. In the second, they intern at area restaurants and within corporate dining services. In addition, Culinary Arts students attend classes that help them adjust to the working world covering everything from job deportment to drug abuse relapse prevention. In 2001, we added a baking and pastry track to enhance graduates' marketability. For more information contact Barbara Hughes.

See what the Clem Richardson of the Daily News wrote about the Culinary Arts Program

NY1 - Project Renewal's Culinary Arts Training Program named New Yorker of the Week.

Read one of our CATP's Success Stories...

Shamrock Construction
Created in 1983 as an experimental program that would give clients work experience and a paycheck, Shamrock also generates income for the organization. Shamrock's relationship with the city's Economic Development Corporation has grown exponentially, doing area maintenance at locations throughout the city, graffiti removal in all five boroughs, and maintenance of the piers at South Street Seaport, among other assignments. In addition, Shamrock does all maintenance and construction work for PR.

Project Renewal, I can honestly say, was willing to go out of their way to help me. I know of no other program that pays your way back and forth to work. Say I got fired tomorrow: they will help me find another job.  Rather than see you back out on the street, they will work with you. They’re very helpful and I’m very grateful. I thank them for this job. Read more...

Once clients are ready to begin an intensive job search, Next Step staff help them find and get good jobs. On the employer side, our specialists track labor market needs and develop relationships with potential employers. On the client side, Next Step staff work with clients one-on-one to develop individualized search strategies, while Job Search workshops provide clients with support during the application and interviewing process. Our Job Placement program has achieved unparalleled success since 1995, placing more than 3,500 clients in competitive employment with 500 different employers.  The program succeeds because it matches each client’s skills and interests with the industry of his or her choice. 

An essential part of Next Step success is its focus on helping clients hold onto jobs once placed. Our retention coordinator works with both new employees and their employers to ensure a smooth transition to full-time work. Clients also participate in weekly meetings to share their experiences. These services have resulted in excellent retention rates given the challenges our clients face.

Understanding personal finance is vital to retaining employment.  When our clients are hired for a job it is imperative they know the particulars of managing their income especially since many have been without a job for extended periods, have less than desirable credit histories, or are unable to understand their paychecks.  Next Step’s groundbreaking Money Management Program provides our clients with the tools they need to manage their finances.