Suppliers

Shelters to Shutters

by Chris Smith

How do you get a job without an address and how do you get an address without a job? This is the problem a local nonprofit attempts to solve. Shelters to Shutters helps those who are experiencing situational homelessness find entry-level positions in the multi-family housing industry. The industry partner gets a pre-screened, trained, and qualified candidate, and the candidate gets a job along with discounted housing. It is truly a win-win.

All candidates referred to Shelters to Shutters come from non-profits and government agencies. The referring agencies have determined their clients are ready, willing, and able to work. After an additional round of screening, background checks, virtual and in-person training, the participants are then recommended to industry partners. When the participant wins the job, they have a new career and a safe place to live.

Additional benefits to the participants come from a nationwide partnership with CORT. For each Shelters to Shutters participant, CORT supplies free of charge a housewares kit and furniture to fill an apartment. A local food bank offers food upon move-in, and S2S supplies a mentor to walk alongside each participant for the oneyear program.

According to Chris Smith, Executive Director of Shelters to Shutters-Nashville, a typical story is a mother who escaped domestic violence and was recommended by the YWCA domestic violence shelter to S2S. After

APPLICANTS

SCREENED BY S2S INTAKE TEAM BACKGROUND CHECK CONDUCTED INTERVIEW WITH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

PARTICIPANTS

COMPLETE SKILLS ASSESSMENT RECEIVE INDIVIDUALIZED ONLINE LEARNING PATHWAY VOLUNTEERS PROVIDE RESUME AND INTERVIEW COACHING

Applicants determined to be eligible are accepted into the program.

S2S uses a robust online program through Edge2Learn, a virtual training software platform, customized to provide participants in pre-employment and during employment with technical training, soft skills and financial literacy. INDUSTRY PARTNERS

QUALIFIED PARTICIPANTS ARE REFERRED FOR FULL TIME EMPLOYMENT AND DISCOUNTED HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES WITH OUR PARTNERS

HIRED PARTICIPANTS

PAIRED WITH A TRAINED MENTOR FOR A FULL YEAR RECEIVE HOUSEWARES AND FURNITURE FROM CORT & LOCAL PARTNERS PROVIDED LAPTOP AND WIFI TO CONTINUE ONGOING TRAINING THROUGH S2S

S2S mentors are committed to provide a safe, supportive space to assist in a participant's long term success. S2S Executive Directors provide critical support to ensure the goal of economic selfsufficiency is obtained. Hired participants graduate after 12 months of employment and positive rental history.

screening and training from Shelters, she was hired by a local apartment community as a groundskeeper. She now has a job she enjoys and is looking forward to receiving additional training and a promotion. Her children are happy in their local schools, their lives are stable, and she celebrates one year on the job in November 2022. To move from a shelter to a home is deeply satisfying for both the participant and the employer who gave her a chance.

For more information about the program contact Chris Smith at chris.smith@shelterstoshutters.org.