If we connect disadvantaged individuals to employment, we help Arizona’s economy.

The Greater Phoenix Chamber and St. Joseph the Worker urge you to remember the Valley’s disadvantaged, unhoused, and transitioning individuals not just during this season of giving but throughout the entire year.

The Greater Phoenix region is a thriving metropolis with a diverse economy, a burgeoning tech sector, and a growing downtown. Yet, like many large cities, it faces a serious housing insecurity crisis. As a community, we need to recognize that homelessness is not just a humanitarian issue; it’s also an economic one. Addressing it with compassion and strategic thinking can lead to a more robust and prosperous Phoenix.

One of the primary challenges for individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability is access to stable, meaningful employment. Likewise, common barriers such individuals often face when looking for and upon finding employment include limited access to transportation, financial constraints for interview expenses and appropriate attire, a lack of necessary certifications and securing stable housing.