By Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation
The Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation is honored to welcome HELP USA to our Grantee Blog. HELP USA is one of the nation’s largest homeless services providers and low-income housing developers working to ensure everyone has a place to call home. The organization serves the populations most at risk of housing insecurity and homelessness, such as families, veterans, survivors of domestic violence, people with physical and mental health challenges and disabilities, seniors, clients who are unemployed or underemployed, and individuals returning to the community after incarceration.
Courtesy of HELP USA
Access to housing is the foundation upon which individuals can rebuild their lives, families can thrive, and communities can flourish. HELP USA has spent nearly four decades establishing programs to support a future where housing stability is a starting point for everyone.
Having served hundreds of thousands of individuals since our founding in 1986, we recognized that employment plays a crucial role in securing and maintaining housing. HELP USA established HELP Works to address this need, designing a program to mirror real-world work environments, equip participants with job readiness skills and vocational training, identify new internship opportunities and connect individuals to them, and provide a much-needed reminder that they have an entire community cheering for their success.
HELP Works tailors support to each participants’ unique needs and skills and matches them with opportunities aligned to their personal goals and circumstances. Participants have access to resume building and job search assistance, interview preparation and vocational training, and additional professional workshops that instill a sense of achievement and self-worth and provide guidance throughout their employment journey. The program also offers security, maintenance, culinary arts, and urban farming internships that provide interns with on-the-job training, preparation for industry-relevant licensure and exams, and stipends for their work.
The program’s community plays a key role as well. By providing participants with a space to share their experiences, offer encouragement, and celebrate each other’s milestones, there is a collective spirit and resilience that reinforces the belief that everyone has the potential to succeed, regardless of past experiences. The success stories emerging from HELP Works are testament to its impact.
One participant, Maria, found herself without a home or job after fleeing domestic violence. Through HELP Works, she received the training and support necessary to secure a stable job, regain her independence, and provide for her children. “HELP Works gave me the chance to rebuild my life,” Maria shared. “The support I received was more than just finding a job—it was about finding myself again. Today, I am proud to say I am a chef at a great restaurant, and I can provide for my family with dignity. This is due to my culinary arts training from HELP USA.” Her journey serves as a powerful reminder of the program’s transformative potential. Through HELP Works’ practical skills training and supportive community, participants can open doors to meaningful employment. John, a participant who struggled with homelessness and joblessness for several years, said, “I never thought I’d be able to stand on my own two feet again. But HELP Works believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. Now, I’m working full-time as a security guard for a top company, and I have a sense of purpose and stability I never imagined possible.”
HELP Works’ wraparound services, which also include housing assistance, counseling, and financial literacy education, recognize that a holistic approach best addresses the barriers our participants face and helps them find sustained success in their new roles. HELP Works is about more than just employment, it’s about opening doors to new possibilities, restoring dignity, and fostering resilience to change lives and build a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.
Community support and collaboration is critical to HELP Works. Employers, volunteers, and donors play a crucial role in expanding opportunities and resources for participants. By joining this mission, you contribute to breaking the cycle of homelessness and empowering individuals to build better lives for themselves and their families. Our partnerships with local businesses are especially vital as they provide job placements and foster inclusive workplace environments where former HELP Works participants can thrive. Employers benefit from hiring motivated, well-trained individuals, and participants gain the chance to prove their abilities in supportive settings.
For more information on how you can support or participate in HELP Works, visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can create a stronger, more inclusive community where everyone can thrive.
About HELP USA
HELP USA is a pioneering national nonprofit homeless service provider and low-income housing developer. Every day, the more than 1,500 dedicated employees address the root cause of homelessness at HELP USA through 55 programs and residences, including 28 permanent housing developments and 22 transitional housing sites. HELP USA is dedicated to ensuring everyone has a place to call home by providing shelter for people in crisis, support to keep people securely housed, and building quality, affordable homes to strengthen vulnerable communities. Since its founding in the heart of Brooklyn, NY, in 1986, HELP USA has served about 30,000 annually. For more information, visit www.helpusa.org.