Renita White

What I wish other people knew​​

Nobody wants to be unemployed or unhoused, and with assistance that meets them where they are, nobody has to be. ​​People can do great things regardless of their education or experience. Our clients are smart and eager, but they often feel lost and afraid after the system beats them down over the years. One man we recently helped was a 60-year-old veteran who’d become homeless and unemployed. Within a few months, we helped him secure a job and a home for himself and his wife. He thanked me, but I was silently thanking him, because watching people reach their potential is so rewarding.​​ The people we serve are not only Black and brown. I named my organization Of Color because that includes everyone, including white people.​​

​Why my approach is unique

​​Our staff members are all trauma-informed to be able to meet people where they are, especially our community of veterans. We also come from the community, with some staffers having the same lived experiences as our clientele.​​We teach clients the soft workplace skills that help them get and keep a job, like interviewing, handling conflicts and engaging with people who are different from them. Then we work with our 100 employer-partners or certification programs to help clients land good jobs, and our housing assistance connections for support to which they might be entitled. We are there with clients throughout the process, and even after they reach their goals. ​​Most importantly, we don’t turn away anyone who walks through our doors, even if our grant stipulations — such as for homeless young adults or for veterans — don’t qualify them. We believe that having housing and a good job is a human right. ​​

Advice to others who want to make a difference

​​Never give up on your dream. There will always be barriers, but there are also ways to get around them. For me, my mental limitation was the biggest barrier to getting started, since I had a good job and was making a lot of money. But I knew I was unhappy, so I finally believed enough in myself to take the leap.​​ And don’t be afraid of hard work. My grandparents taught me that, because even though they were proud to own a business, they had to put in tons of time and effort to making it a success.