Giving: Transforming Lives Through Workforce Development in Phoenix

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP) has been a cornerstone of support for Arizonans experiencing poverty and homelessness for 80 years. What began as a singular mission to feed the hungry in 1946 has grown into a holistic approach that empowers individuals to rebuild their lives. Today, SVdP feeds, houses, clothes and heals thousands while providing resources to help them achieve lasting stability.

In 2020, SVdP launched a pilot Workforce Development Program to help adults experiencing homelessness gain the skills, confidence and support needed to secure sustainable employment. The Opus Foundation provided initial funding for this pilot, helping 15 participants over six months build foundational workplace skills while volunteering in SVdP’s dining halls and farm.

But early experience revealed a key challenge: many participants couldn’t complete the full six-month program before needing sustainable income to cover rent – shelters that house most participants limit stays to 90 days.

“We learned quickly that volunteering alone wasn’t enough to meet the realities of homelessness,” said Erinn Demario, Workforce Development Program Manager with SVdP. “We had to pivot toward employment-focused pathways that allowed participants to gain skills, secure jobs and achieve stability on a timeline that worked for them.”

The Opus Foundation has played a pivotal role in that effort. With a $150,000 three-year grant in 2021, the Foundation helped SVdP expand their case management capability and pilot a more structured program to address the complex barriers that participants face on the path to long-term stability.

Over the next few years, the Workforce Development Program introduced individualized assessments; group training in soft skills like paycheck management, conflict resolution and workplace etiquette; financial literacy support; and workforce transitional housing.

A subsequent $300,000 three-year grant from the Foundation in late 2024 further transformed the program. It funded a second dedicated case manager, expanded training and alumni support and provided the stability to hire, retain and deeply invest in talented staff.

“Our first priority was figuring out what really worked,” said Erinn. “Thanks to the Opus Foundation’s flexibility and long-term commitment, we could iterate quickly, make meaningful changes and scale services without worrying about funding disruptions.”

Workforce Development Program participants are now served across SVdP’s key access points, including the Phoenix Dining Room, Washington Street Shelter and the Phoenix Navigation Center. And a transitional housing program allows participants to combine employment-focused case management with safe, stable housing – a crucial step toward long-term independence.

The program’s success has been remarkable. In FY 2024, 47 participants gained employment, and by FY 2025, that number drastically increased to 402. About 85% of program participants graduate by receiving livable-wage employment and transitioning to stable housing – and 99% of them maintain both for more than 12 months. Today, SVdP’s workforce initiative has become one of the most comprehensive employment programs in Arizona designed specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness.

“Opus’ grant structure gave us the stability to innovate and the confidence to grow,” said Jill Collins, SVdP Grants Manager. “We could make long-term commitments to our staff, partners, and participants, knowing the support was there to sustain the program.”

Erinn added, “Our workforce opportunities program is unique because it meets people exactly where they are—removing barriers and providing flexible, individualized support. This grant made it possible to turn workforce development into a permanent, trusted pillar of SVdP’s overall response to homelessness.”

The partnership with SVdP extends beyond grant support to include meaningful engagement from our team. Matt Visnansky, Vice President and General Manager, serves on an SVdP advisory board, and the organization has built a close relationship with our Executive Vice President and General Manager Larry Pobuda, whose leadership in the Phoenix market has helped strengthen connections between the organizations.

”Our relationship with Opus feels different,” said Jill. “There’s a genuine commitment to understanding our work and being part of it. From the leadership connection with Larry and Matt’s involvement on our advisory board to the ongoing engagement from the Opus Foundation team, it’s a partnership that feels personal – and that kind of partnership helps programs like this truly succeed.”