Job Jumpstart Fund: Removing Barriers and Opening Doors to Employment

Small obstacles can have outsized consequences when someone is working to secure or sustain employment. A missed certification fee, lack of work clothing, or a transportation issue can mean the difference between stability and setback. The Job Jumpstart Fund, exists to address these moments, providing timely, flexible support that helps residents move forward in their employment journeys.

Between June and December 2025, Job Jumpstart supported 36 residents across nine REACH communities, investing just over $33,000 in critical employment needs such as certifications and licenses, tools and equipment, work clothing, transportation, and short‑term training. These rapid‑response micro‑grants—typically between $200 and $2,000, help residents pursue job opportunities without taking on debt or risking housing instability. As a result, 78% of participants maintained or moved closer to rent‑current status within 90 days, highlighting the close connection between employment stability and housing security.

For residents like Catherine Garvin, a certified clinical and therapeutic musician, Job Jumpstart made it possible to maintain required professional credentials and expand income opportunities. With support for continuing education and new equipment, Catherine secured additional paid work, especially Irish and Celtic performances in high demand locally, while continuing to serve clients in memory care, hospice, and assisted living settings. As she shared,

“The funding assisted me in completing the remaining CEUs I needed to stay certified for 2026, and the bodhran drum expands my job search because now I am booked for Irish Celtic music gigs.”

Job Jumpstart remains a priority for REACH, reflecting its strong outcomes and cost‑effective impact. With future investment, the program is poised to serve more residents, support stacked credentials, and deepen partnerships with workforce training providers and employers, helping residents move from survival to stability, and from short‑term work to long‑term careers.

Download the full Job Jumpstart Fund Impact Report to explore outcomes, participant stories, and detailed program data.