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WHAT:
Just a few years ago, Calvin Thomas was living on the streets with only a backpack to his name. He felt hopeless and didn’t know how to get out of the situation he was in. At a daytime homeless services provider, he learned about non-profit First Step Staffing and how the organization could help him find a job. They assisted him with the application process, background check, interviews and connected him with placement at the City of Orlando. Now he is part of a maintenance crew with the City’s Streets & Stormwater team.
On Thursday, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer will work-along with Calvin and help keep the City Beautiful as they clean up litter and debris from the rights-of-way. Currently, nearly 50 individuals who were homeless or precariously housed are working at the City of Orlando through this partnership with First Step Staffing.
The City of Orlando and First Step Staffing teamed up in early 2021 to help utilize employment as a way to help Orlando residents on a path out of poverty and homelessness. Today, First Step Staffing participants are working in jobs with the City of Orlando, including in the Parking, Water Reclamation, Solid Waste and Streets & Stormwater Divisions, and nearly a dozen have gone on to permanent positions with City.
Through First Step Staffing, more than 283 total Central Floridians have found jobs with employers. Working through First Step Staffing helps to place individuals in steady employment opportunities to build strong work records and get them back on their feet.
WHEN:
Thursday, March 9, 2023
10:30 a.m.
WHERE:
1400 Gaston Foster Road
Media Parking is available at the Dover Shores Neighborhood Center
VISUALS:
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer working alongside First Step Staffing client Calvin Thomas.
- Work will include riding on ATVs and walking to pick up litter and debris along Gaston Foster Road.
INTERVIEWS:
- Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer
- Calvin Thomas, City of Orlando Streets & Stormwater Division Worker
- Corey Knight, City of Orlando Public Works Director
- Kellie Brownlow, First Step Staffing Chief Mission Officer
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