Today our #AtlantaBears worked at the Atlanta Center for Self Sufficiency. Although this was not our first day with the organization, it was still impactful. Yesterday our group learned about how ACSS helps individuals in Atlanta who are facing homelessness, poverty, job loss, and other situations that would create a need of support in career building. ACSS gives these at risk individuals the tools and career oriented education needed in order to obtain and sustain employment. Today we got to put our education into action by eating lunch with their VIP’s (their clients), assisting them with resume building/job searching, and picking out appropriate business attire.
I got assigned to help out with their clothing closet, which basically consisted of packed boxes due to a recent location move and little space for all the items to go. Donated items such as suits, dress shirts, shoes, and more were completely overflowing the tiny hallway space we had for organizing, but many hours later we finished sorting everything and noticed noticed something interesting about the suits- most were size 42 regular. We didn’t think too much about this, since that size is pretty common, until the VIPs starting looking for interview attire. None of the men fit into that cookie cutter shape that seemed to be so popular in the donation bin. Some needed larger, some smaller, and each man’s preferred style showed through as they searched through the “uncommon” suit sizes. When we finally found each person a suit to represent who they were individually, size and style, we could see the transformation in confidence as they begin to feel more comfortable for the job fair just a week away. Just like each suit, each VIP’s personality was unique, which allowed us to learn so much from them in the little time we served them.
For our students that got to assist with resume buildings and job searching, learning about the talents and skills of the VIP’s also showcased how experienced their individuals could be. One woman could speak three languages, while another man had over twenty years of experience in his field. Although the VIP’s were in this transitional time between homes or jobs, this experience reiterated that situations like these are not due to an individual making bad choices or being lazy, but often is due to company cuts, a poor education experience, a lack of social capital and more. Being exposed to all the barriers the VIPs had to face to get a career, such as a lack of appropriate clothing, less access to technology and phones, less transportation options, and more, proved that their individuals have to work twice as hard as the typical applicant to have a shot at landing a career of their choice.
Not every VIP was a suit size 42 regular, so why should their career choices be limited to only a small handful of low income positions? Through this experience, I want to share that others (that means you reading this) should look beyond the social stigmas applied to poverty and homelessness and see that this population is as diverse, talented, and experienced as many other applicants that walk into an interview or that walk into your life.
P.S.
For more information about ACSS, please visit AtlantaCSS.org!