In July, 1997, there were 1,120 families receiving Work First Family Assistance in Richmond County. In July, 2007, there were 316 families receiving assistance. This is a 72% decrease in families receiving public assistance in 10 years. A factor for the continued success of the Work First Program has been the involvement of business and community leaders like you! Make the commitment today to hire Work First participants and help families in our county move from welfare to self-sufficiency. Work First in Richmond County is working!

Through the Work First Program, participants can get assistance with:

• Short-term vocational and technical training (basic skills/certification necessary for employment in a specific occupational area)
• Referrals to short-term job training or on-the-job-training
• Transportation services (taxi service, limited car repair)
• Child care assistance
• Work-related expenses (equipment, tools, uniforms)
• Case management to ensure a successful transition toward self-sufficiency

Work First client working as a dietary aide

Participant working at a local nursery

The Work First Program can offer your business:

• A reliable referral source for job openings
• A dependable workforce who have been pre-screened by Work First Employment Services Staff
• Assistance with tax credit information and forms available to employers who hire Work First participants
• Follow-up services for new hires from the Work First Program and their employers