More than a paycheck: The ripple effect of employment

Juana Hernandez

Submitted photo/SRP

We can count the person who gets the job, but we don’t necessarily count the parent who can now pay rent or the child who has greater stability at home. We don’t measure the relationships that begin to heal, the confidence someone regains or the possibilities that begin to open up. A job is more than a paycheck. Its impact can ripple through an entire family and, ultimately, a community.”

OPINION — On a single night this year, 9,726 people were counted as experiencing homelessness across Maricopa County. Behind that number are thousands of individual stories of parents, children, veterans and neighbors navigating circumstances that can make stability difficult to reach.

When we talk about homelessness and financial instability, the challenges can feel overwhelming. There are no easy answers, but one thing I’ve seen through my work is how one opportunity can change the direction of a person’s life: a job.

Employment provides income, but its impact can extend far beyond a paycheck. A steady job can help someone secure housing, build savings and provide for their family. It can restore confidence, create a sense of purpose and provide the stability needed to begin planning for the future.

As a board member of  St. Joseph the Worker, I can share the numbers all day: 1,711 people found full-time employment last year; 84% of participants in its housing programs transitioned to stable housing; and those participants left with average savings of more than $5,200.

Those numbers matter, but they don’t always capture the full story. I was reminded of that several years ago when I shared The Worker’s annual Hike for Hope on an internal social channel at SRP. Not long after, an employee I had never met reached out to ask how I was involved.

When I told him I served on the board, he shared that after his son completed rehab, he turned to The Worker for employment support as he worked to rebuild his life. With their help, he was able to find stable employment, which ultimately led to him securing housing and moving forward.

The family joined us for the hike that year, and I had the opportunity to meet their son in person. What stayed with me most was why they had to leave early: My colleague’s son was on his way to see his own child for the first time since getting his life back on track.

I have never forgotten that moment. It put into perspective what the numbers alone can’t show.

We can count the person who gets the job, but we don’t necessarily count the parent who can now pay rent or the child who has greater stability at home. We don’t measure the relationships that begin to heal, the confidence someone regains or the possibilities that begin to open up.

A job is more than a paycheck. Its impact can ripple through an entire family and, ultimately, a community.

Employment alone cannot solve every challenge. Immediate needs such as food, shelter, healthcare and safety are critical. But meeting those needs and creating pathways toward long-term stability should not be competing goals. We need both.

For someone ready and able to work, the barriers to employment can be surprisingly practical: transportation to an interview, work clothing or tools, the cost of a certification or help preparing a resume. Sometimes, what someone needs most is an employer willing to look beyond a difficult chapter and recognize what they can contribute.

Removing those barriers requires collaboration, something I’ve seen firsthand through my work in corporate giving and community engagement. No single organization, employer or individual can address these challenges alone. But each has something to contribute.

Nonprofits can connect people with resources and support. Employers can create opportunities and consider whether their hiring practices unnecessarily screen out qualified candidates. Businesses can contribute funding, expertise and volunteers. Professionals can mentor someone entering or reentering the workforce. And individuals can find a cause that matters to them and get involved.

No single action will solve challenges as complex as homelessness or economic instability. But we should not underestimate what one opportunity can set in motion.

A ride to an interview can lead to a job. A job can provide a steady paycheck. A paycheck can help lead to stable housing. And that stability can create the space to rebuild relationships, reconnect with family and begin imagining a different future.

Sometimes, at the end of that ripple, there is a father on his way to see his child again.

Juana Hernandez is senior corporate giving strategist at SRP and serves on St. Joseph the Worker’s Board of Directors. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.