First Step Staffing
An Atlanta-based Non-Profit Organization.
Our mission: To help homeless men and women break the cycle
of homelessness, by assisting them to develop a source of
sustainable income that leads to financial independence.
Facts about First Step
 Opened in 2007
 Scope:
Metropolitan Atlanta
 Two signature programs – Staffing and Disability
Benefits
 Overview of Staffing
 Earnings for clients: $1 million/year
 Average # of People Working per day: 75
 People placed per year: 300
Why temporary staffing rather than “real” jobs?
 Attachment to immediate income while searching for
better opportunities
 $70 billion industry
 Fastest growing segment of the workforce
 Between 2008 – 2018, industry wages expected to
grow 19% compared to 11% of all industries
combined* and
 Expected to gain 599,700 new jobs*
 Over 50% of all employers use temporary staffing
agencies to find good permanent workers
* Bureau of Labor Statistics
More good reasons for temporary staffing…
 Social Enterprise - fees generated cover at least 75%
of an Alternative Staffing Organization’s (ASO)
operating costs
 Temporary assignments effectively build workers’
resumes, job skills, and self-confidence
 Offer part-time work when needed
 Offer a chance to “practice” working (and to make
mistakes without losing a big opportunity)
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Potential Barriers for Homeless People

Lack of Contact Information

Housing Stability

Lack of Documentation

Transportation

Criminal Background

Childcare

Substance Abuse

Domestic Violence
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Addressing Barriers to Employment

Collaboration with partner agencies – “share the
work”

Secure documentation

Arrange transportation

Run backgrounds and be clear about each
employers’ requirements

Arrange childcare

Encourage continuing treatment for substance
abuse or mental health issues
Computer/technical training

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Top 10 Skills Employers Need
1) Communication Skills (listening, written, & speech)
2) Analytical/research skills
3) Computer/Technology Literacy
4) Flexibility/Adaptability/Managing multiple priorities
5) Interpersonal Abilities
6) Leadership/Management Skills
7) Multicultural Sensitivity/Awareness
8) Planning/Organizing
9) Problem solving/Reasoning/Creativity
10) Teamwork
* Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D and Katharine Hansen, Ph.D
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8 Traits Employers Really Want
1) Comfortable Confidence
2) Willingness to listen and learn
3) Adaptability
4) Flexibility
5) Self-Reliance
6) Teamwork
7) Dependability
8) Honesty
* glassdoor.com
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What employers don’t say…
 First impressions make the difference!




Arrive early
Make eye contact
Shake hands firmly
Say your name slowly and clearly
 Dress neatly and cleanly
 Express an interest and an eagerness to learn
 Ask for work when you are not busy
 Don’t use your cell phone
 Focus on the work
 Keep relationships at work on the professional
level
 Differentiate yourself from other employees
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What employers appreciate
1.A trusted partner who knows the
employer’s business and matches the
right people to their specific jobs with
a minimum of turnover.
2.A partner who is responsive,
flexible, and who makes the decision
maker and the employer look good!
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Thank you!
Barbara Peters
First Step Staffing
www.firststepstaffing.com
404.577.3392
barbara@first-step.us
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