These Boots Are Made For Working!
Did you know that an $80 pair of steel-toed boots is a common barrier to work in our community? Each month, many individuals in Southern Indiana turn down employment because they do not have the money to buy the required footwear to start a job.
Catholic Charities announced May 7 during its 2015 “Simply Soup Dinner and Baby Quilt Auction” that it will begin a “Boots4Work” program later this month. Catholic Charities will collaborate with local human resource directors and temp-to-work firms to identify and refer those in need.
During the due-diligence process for another potential outreach program, Catholic Charities Outreach Coordinator Robin Forney learned that the lack of appropriate shoes prevents many people from accepting jobs. Some human-resource specialists estimate that 25-30 percent of people who are offered jobs decline for the lack of the necessary shoes.
While steel-toed boots are required for manufacturing, other industries also require specialized shoes. Fast-food, housekeeping and medical workers are often required to have non-slip footwear for safety purposes. The program is expected to expand in the fall to provide vouchers for these shoes as well.
Last year the Catholic Charities Board of Advisors and staff participated in strategic planning exercises. The result was a determination to focus efforts on systemic changes, particularly building strong families and helping people maximize employment opportunities. These goals also respond to those identified in the Indiana bishops’ recently issued pastoral letter, “Poverty at the Crossroads; the Church’s Response to Poverty in Indiana.”
If you would like to buy a pair of boots for a person who wants to work, donate by sending your check to Catholic Charities, 123 NW Fourth St., Ste. 603, Evansville, IN 47708 or visiting www.charitiesevv.org and clicking on the Donate to Boots4Work button.
