We work with those experiencing poverty & homelessness find stability and self worth through employment and community connection. Partnering with existing community resources, both for profit and nonprofit, we help this marginalized population fulfill their basic human needs and build self-esteem.
Employment
Homeless
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender
Poor, Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent
Unemployed, Underemployed
Veterans
The Reciprocity Collective (TRC) addresses two significant workforce challenges in the Denver metro community:
• the need for employers in a variety of industries to recruit and maintain entry-level employees
• the need for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty and other challenges to become productive members of the community by achieving successful and sustainable employment
TRC builds relationships between our Participants and Employer Partners through our Supported Employment Program.
We meet our participants at local shelters, day centers and other agencies that are serving individuals and families facing homelessness and poverty.
We get to know them and guide them to employment that fits their interests and skills and use ongoing assessment and coaching tools to promote the development of Participants' core competencies and positive life skills.
We integrate the workforce of our Employer Partners into our work, training them to use trauma-informed approaches to build a culture of empathy, inclusion and diversity and providing ongoing HR management support as needed.
We connect our Participants with our Nonprofit Partners and volunteer Allies who help them access community resources and build positive social networks.
In the past 12 months, TRC has successfully found sustainable employment and continues to coach and support 76 participants. We continue to work with an additional 28 individuals who are seeking employment and purpose, coaching and developing their skills to be successful.
Community Development
Homeless
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender
Offenders, Ex-Offenders
Poor, Economically Disadvantaged, Indigent
Unemployed, Underemployed
TRC was borne of the knowledge many who experience homelessness, and related issues often intertwined with poverty and trauma, face complex challenges not easily addressed within programs that serve this population. Originally founded to focus on our collaborative model of supported employment, TRC realized the long-term, on-the-job support that many vulnerable individuals need to remain successfully employed, must be combined with community connections of resources and allies. With resources and allies part of the network of TRC Employer and NGO partners, a strong community is created to support the individuals we serve; facilitating employment, volunteerism, medical/mental health care, peer support, healthy choices, individual/family case management and community allies: We bring community to our participants and bring our participants into community.
This is a new program for TRC and evidence thus far is predominantly anecdotal as our participants and their families share that they are reaching out to others, joining groups, integrating healthy practices into their lives, meeting with their allies in the community and sharing experiences beyond their daily lives and duties.
Human Services
At-Risk Populations
Disabled
Ethnic/Racial Minorities
Homeless
Unemployed, Underemployed
In Response to the challenges of the COVID19 landscape and the continuing effects on the individuals and families we serve.
CHALLENGE: the closure of agencies that serve the community, ending direct services to individuals and families...or moving to virtual.
TRC RESPONSE: setting up "table outreach" inside and literally outside the buildings of a few of our partners: Metro Caring, The Gathering Place and Denver Public Library. With our laptops, we help folks apply for their IRS Stimulus checks, set up bank accounts, make appointments, sign up for Medicaid, Food Stamps, Unemployment and RTD fare discounts, check their email, in addition to resume builds, on line job applications and connection to employers we know are hiring right now.
Since May 1, 2020, TRC has connected with 425 individuals through our Table Outreach Program. 78% of the individuals we meet, return to meet us again for additional services and resources and we have provided them with an average of 4 resources.
Community Development
Aging, Elderly, Senior Citizens
At-Risk Populations
Ethnic/Racial Minorities
Homeless
Unemployed, Underemployed
The Reciprocity Collective response during the COVID19 Pandemic:
CHALLENGE: further marginalization for communities of homelessness and poverty by the move to social distancing and virtual connections, both personally and professionally. The deepening technology divide leaving so many on the side of unconnected.
TRC RESPONSE: a partnership with T Mobile and other funders (MAYBE YOU?) to distribute smart phones with 6 months of data to individuals, without barrier and without expectation; with hope of creating a connection that may last beyond COVID19. In July 2020, we started the "Community Cellular Connection Project" distributing 80 phones to unhoused individuals. Finding employment, easier housing searches, calling loved ones and connecting to resources were all listed as what these devices bring to these folks. The goal is to have 250 cell phones distributed in the community by the close of 2020.
Since July 2020, TRC has distributed 80 cell phones within the un-housed community. The connection has been created and continues to be sustained with 65% of the individuals and families receiving cell phones, staying in touch with TRC and enlisting support for their needs and stability.
Community Development
At-Risk Populations
Families
Homeless
Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Transgender
Unemployed, Underemployed
With the onslaught of COVID, The Reciprocity Collective moved to streets. Working with our partner The Denver Voice, a monthly independent street paper that provides economic opportujity and empowerment to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. TRC is employing and deploying their out-of-work vendors to form our Street Outreach Team. The team works deeply in the community to reach our neighbors living on the streets to provide them with updated COVID and medical information, food and community resources, a limited amount of PPE, hygiene items and snacks. Best of all, accompanied by smiles, conversations and check-ins.
