Economic Development
What do we mean by ‘Economic Development’?
BOSS’s goal is to get homeless people into permanent housing - yet to remain housed, people need sufficient money for rent and other basic necessities. Economic Development means helping people to build the skills they need to obtain a living wage—or access to public benefits to which they are entitled.
How do we help?
BOSS offers several programs designed to help people find employment and manage their money to avoid homelessness in the future. Our programs include:
- Benefits advocacy to help people access income support they are eligible for
- Job preparation – assessments, training referrals, practice interviews, resumes
- Job development in association with local employers
- Job search and placements (including post-employment follow up support)
- Job creation – for example, the Clean City Program (temporary street cleaning jobs in partnership with the City of Berkeley)
- Adult education and literacy services, with computer classes and labs for shelter residents (in partnership with local Adult Schools)
- Money management for people with disabilities, to help them pay bills and ensure that they stay housed and stable
Economic Development programs are a vital tool for our clients as they progress towards self-sufficiency. People like Patricia, now living in her own apartment due to the help that BOSS staff provided in securing benefits to which she was entitled.
