Southern Social mixologists have created a unique Poverty Crusher cocktail concoction to benefit United Against Poverty of Indian River County. To kick off the occasion, guests at an invitational party last Tuesday were given a first taste of the refreshing elixir, which has a tequila base, enhanced with honey, lime juice, black tea and mango puree.
During the months of August and September, Southern Social will donate $5 from the purchase of each Poverty Crusher cocktail to UP, to support the nonprofit’s goal of inspiring and empowering people to lift themselves and their families out of poverty and UP to economic self-sufficiency.
As community partners, employer partners, sponsors and board members sipped on the Poverty Crushers and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres, Matt Tanner, UP executive director, and Araminta Caldwell, UP workforce development specialist, shared exciting news about the progress made by their clients during the first half of 2022.
“Out of all our STEP graduates this year and the 40 that are now employed, we have managed to put over $1 million of gained income back into Indian River County in six months,” said Caldwell, highlighting the gains made through their Success Training Employment Program.
Additionally, she said that in the first six months of 2022, UP had doubled the number of clients employed during that same six-month period in 2021.
“And we’re on track to have the best year in STEP’s history,” said Caldwell.
She explained that the three-phase STEP program helps participants hone their emotional intelligence, communication skills, and job acquisition and workplace skills. They also learn how to build great resumes, ace their interviews, and dress for success.
Caldwell said that their goal is to have participants leave Phase 1 of the program motivated, inspired and supported. She added that after Phase 1, she conducts one-on-one career assessments, before matching the clients with “great employers, making a great salary, and in a great work culture.”
Participants are each matched with a success coach who serves as a personal accountability partner, said Caldwell. “That success coach follows them for three years, helping them be accountable to whatever those personal-professional goals are, so they can stay on the track of success.”
The STEP program has evolved since its inception, with recent changes having been made based on conversations with employer partners, STEP participants and feedback from the community. One of those changes was the introduction of Speed Interviewing, which is designed to get program participants used to the interview process, while at the same time enabling employers to meet qualified candidates.
The Speed Interviews have had a 90 percent success rate in getting individuals employed even before they have completed Phase 1 of the STEP program.
Caldwell shared three success stories, showcasing the value of the employer partnerships UP has developed. Each of these individuals has put in the work and is now gainfully employed and earning a living wage with quality employers.
Tanner credited Caldwell for moving the program forward and added that the other half of the successful equation is to have employers and community partners that are engaged, actively involved and willing to partner with UP.
“To be a part of the movement; it’s a testament to why we’re having the success we’re having,” said Tanner.
“That’s what makes Indian River County such a special place. We want to lock arms because we all recognize that if we do it together, we’re going to meet our mission quicker.”
Tanner said that they also have successful partnerships with the Hope for Families Center, Dynamic Life Recovery, and the Substance Awareness Center. Representatives of those nonprofits have met with UP staff and, working together, adjusted the programs to enable their clients to attend the STEP program and improve their situations.
During the pandemic, Tanner said they discovered that additional programs were needed to expand the reach of the STEP program.
“We wanted to add more,” he said. “We wanted to expand what we were doing across workforce mobility and economic mobility.”
Two new initiatives were launched this year to answer those needs: their BuildUP program, a partnership with the Treasure Coast Builders Association and the Treasure Coast Manufacturing Association; and UPSkilling, which provides adults with the opportunity to obtain credentials in CPR First Aid, Mental Health First Aid, GED and OSHA 10 training.
Tanner closed by inviting community partners to keep the conversation going.
“We’re halfway through the year. We expect to do more, and we can only do it in tandem with you guys. Let’s keep these partnership conversations rolling.”
Next up, lace up your running shoes for the 15th annual Trot Against Poverty on Nov. 24. For more information, visit upirc.org or trotagainstpoverty.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
