The Working Steady for Success Program (WSSP) is a model program designed by Hanover County Department of Social Services (HDSS) through M. H. West & Co., Inc. in partnership with area Businesses, Community Organizations and Governmental Agencies to:

• Put people to work
• Provide expanded job opportunities and placement
• Establish a support system that removes barriers that prevent a successful employment experience
• Expand the pool of workers that have basic skills, are interested in learning new skills, want to improve their income level, make a contribution, and have a positive attitude

• WSSP PROGRAM GOALS
• Recruit businesses, community organizations and government agencies to form a network of support for the hard to serve (HTS) population in need of work
• Provide employment options through private and public sector businesses
• Help the Hard to Serve get jobs
• Fortify the character and attitude of the HTS population to keep jobs
• Eliminate barriers for maintaining employment by providing temporary assistance with transportation, day care and clothing for work
• Offer mentoring services to develop and promote confidence of the HTS population
• Provide strategies for coping with or eliminating barriers that affect work performance and continue employment

• SOME WAYS YOU CAN HELP WSSP...
• Provide notices of job opportunities available through your company to HDSS
• Review applications for employment from the HTS population
• Keep the HDSS informed of the qualities that you are looking for in employees
• Create jobs for the HTS population
• Give feedback on the performance of the HTS population working for you
• Provide new or more appropriate clothing needed for work setting
• Provide temporary transportation to work
• Serve as back-up for child care
• Provide monies to support transportation, childcare and meals
• Advise/provide training opportunities
• Help HTS families to participate in cultural, educational and recreational programs
• Adopts a HTS family for a month by being on call to assist with employment emergencies or unexpected issues that may arise
• Serve as a mentor
• Help to eliminate red tape for services needed
• Serve as an Ambassador and tell others about the program
• Offer scholarships to the HTS population in need of training

• WHY YOU SHOULD GET INVOLVED WITH THE WSSP...
• Give back to your community
• Expand your contribution in building a vibrant Hanover Community
• Contribute to a higher quality of life for all Hanoverians
• Increase the workforce pool for jobs available in the business, community organizations and government fields
• Help to transform attitudes and behavior of people who are challenged to find and keep jobs
• Provide a support system for those most in need
• Expand the network of organizations that you wish to partner with to conduct business
• Create a model for addressing challenges in other areas of the community such as healthcare
• Demonstrate your leadership in responding to community needs
• Free-up tax dollars that can be reallocate to support other initiatives

For more details on the Working Steady for Success Program (WSSP), contact us at 804.782.1938 or mhwestcon@aol.com.