The Giving Tree Jobs Program

The Giving Tree was recently awarded a grant from the Department of Labor to continue our successful jobs program, GEAR, that origninated in April 2006. This award was on of only 40 made across the United States. We are proud that the accomplishments of our program have been recognized and we are being encouraged to continue to help those in very real need here in our own town.

GEAR was established to provide pre and post employment assistance to those people having the most difficulty in securing living wage jobs. This includes those that have been homeless, previously incarcerated survivors of domestic violence, and former substance abuse clients. Each of these individuals encounters his or her own personal barrier to employment. Donna Pratt, GEAR Program Director, has been the personal as well as professional coach in making each participant feel special and has helped each person in addressing these barriers. She often meets and recruite jobs applicants from the Sunday and Thursday evening feeding program, Project FEED.

Donna has had overwhelming success in placing those that have come to her feeling desperate and disheartened. She has successfully placed more than 200 people in employment over the past year.

If you need help finding a job, or would like to volunteer as a job coach, call Donna at 520.867.1400, or email her at jobs@thegivingtreeoutreach.org.