Job developer speaks to business group

Shari Walter, job developer for Flint STRIVE, was the speaker at the Eastside Business Association meeting Jan. 26. Walter described her role at the national workforce organization that focuses on empowerment through employment.

STRIVE is a special service for adults ages 17 and up who want to improve their work skills. STRIVE is not a school but a demanding training workshop preparing individuals for the workforce, said Walter.

"What we're trying to do is empower people so they get where they want to go. We want our clients to see that they can earn more money by working than by being on welfare. We teach honest work ethics and we've got an 87 percent job placement rate," Walter said.

"We're working with many types of people, youth and seniors, former felons and the chronically unemployed," she said.

According to Walter, the agency's goal is to help men and women earn a livable income and achieve financial independence. The agency provides a no-nonsense job training program to reach the goal. They also work with local organizations and businesses to provide training opportunities. Last year the agency served 700 people at their office at 1108 Lapeer Rd.

The organization is committed to helping people who face significant barriers to employment find work within the community. Ex-offenders make up about 50 percent of the clients.

"Either you give people hope or they will continue to commit crimes against society," she said.

She cited an eight percent recidivism rate for employed felons. That is lower than unemployed ex-offenders, she said.

All STRIVE clients wear business attire to training classes. The local charity, Crossover Ministries, provides two sets of business clothing for those participants who cannot afford to buy them, Walter said.

The STRIVE youth programs are tailored to provide training and job placement for youth from the ages of 14 to 18 who earn while they learn.

"These are programs where young people earn an average of $60 a week working in local businesses and organizations," Walter explained. "The kids shadow people at local hospitals, City Hall and with experts from a variety of  professions," she said.

What kinds of jobs are STRIVE clients getting?

"Most of our job placements are in the county and can be reached by public transportation. I've never placed a person in a fast food business, but we have placed many people in retail, clerical, recycling, manufacturing, security and nonprofits. We believe everyone has skills and we work with individuals to develop them," Walter said.

Unfortunately many clients are coming from the senior population.

"Our oldest client is 78 years old. Many seniors are coming to us looking for work because on their fixed incomes it's a choice between food and medicine," Walter said.

Contact Flint STRIVE at (810) 232-5661 or e-mail Walter at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

In other business, County Treasurer Deborah Cherry announced a new program to prevent foreclosure on homes for nonpayment of 2008 taxes. According to Cherry, there are about 7,300 homes in tax foreclosure.

Cherry has established a Hardship Policy that postpones tax foreclosure for an additional cycle, about one year for people undergoing substantial financial hardship. Applications are available at all Department of Human Services offices, Genesee County Community Action Resource Department Neighborhood Services Center, 601 N. Saginaw St., Ste. B, and Michigan Veterans and Soldier Relief, 1101 Beach St.

–––––––––––––––––––––––

Your comments are welcome. E-mail them to the editor at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .