Understanding the Barriers to Employment
June 13, 2025
When we see someone experiencing homelessness, it can be tempting to ask, “Why don’t they just get a job?” It’s a question rooted in the belief that employment is the simplest way out of poverty. But for many people without stable housing, the path to work is anything but simple.The reality is that homelessness and employment are deeply intertwined. Without a place to sleep, shower, or store belongings, it’s difficult to even show up for work—let alone establish a sustaining job or career. Many of the people who come through City Mission’s doors are eager to work or have actually worked hard their whole lives. They just need someone to understand what’s keeping them from attaining sustainable independence—and to walk alongside them as they overcome those barriers.Philip Rychcik is City Mission’s new CTEC Coordinator. He is one of many staff members walking alongside our residents, helping them overcome these barriers to employment, barriers that can be nearly impossible to overcome alone.He explained, “Our Career, Training, and Education Center (CTEC) at City Mission provides residents assistance with acquiring identification, vocational training, and work opportunities. City Mission is truly Christ-centered and dedicated to the mental, physical, and spiritual welfare of its residents.”Here are some of the barriers to employment that we see among our residents here at City Mission.Lack of Documentation and TransportationFor many residents, one of the first barriers to employment is something most of us take for granted: identification.You can’t apply for a job, enroll in training, or access most services without a photo ID, birth certificate, or Social Security card. But when you’re homeless, these documents are often lost, stolen, or destroyed—and replacing them requires time, money, and a permanent address.“Every resident experiences unique barriers to employment, but missing identification is a very common example,” said Rychcik. Rychcik has been with the Mission less than a month, but he has already assisted residents with acquiring critical identification documents, such as birth certificates, social security cards, and photo ID’s. Even once the paperwork is in order, transportation poses another hurdle. Many residents don’t own a car or have access to reliable public transit. In more rural areas like Washington, PA, job opportunities may be scattered across long distances—well beyond walking range.At City Mission, we not only help residents recover their critical documents, but we also provide transportation to appointments and interviews, and even assist with car repairs or bus passes when needed. These basic steps pave the way toward employment—because sometimes, getting to a job is the first job.The Weight of Physical and Mental Health ChallengesEmployment requires more than just skills—it requires the physical and emotional stamina to work consistently. For many experiencing homelessness, untreated health conditions can be a major roadblock.Some residents come to City Mission after being discharged from hospitals with no place to go. Others have lived with chronic illnesses for years, unable to afford regular care or medications. Physical disabilities or workplace injuries may prevent them from returning to the jobs they once held.Mental health is also a critical part of the picture. Depression, PTSD, anxiety, or addiction can all make it difficult to maintain employment. And when these conditions are left untreated—as they often are among the homeless population—they can become overwhelming.Several years ago, we had a resident named Randy, who suffered from PTSD as a result of his military service. In his younger years, he had self-medicated with alcohol, but after a horrific car accident, while under the influence, nearly cost him his life, he swore to himself that he would maintain sobriety, which he managed successfully for twenty years. Randy was a very hard worker and had worked consistently since graduating from high school, but he had still been homeless off and on for most of his life. He knew that stress at work was a key trigger for his alcoholism, so whenever things got stressful, he would move onto another job. He switched jobs every few months in order to maintain his sobriety, so he never really stayed anywhere long enough to gain higher wages or health benefits. So even though he always had a job, he rarely made a reliable and sustaining wage. City Mission provides wraparound care that addresses both body and mind. Through our onsite clinic, mental health counseling, addiction recovery programs, and medical case management, we support residents as they regain the strength and clarity needed to re-enter the workforce—on their own timeline, with real support behind them.Before Randy left the Mission to live in own apartment, he was at one job for over a year. He got promoted to a supervisory role and had access to a company vehicle. City Mission’s holistic care helped him to better manage his recovery, his mental health, and his career, and he was able to attain his goal of independence.The Impact of Trauma and Loss of ConfidenceLosing your home doesn’t just affect your body—it affects your soul. It changes how you see yourself and how you believe others see you.For many residents, especially those who’ve been without stable housing for a long time, employment feels far away. Some fear rejection or judgment in the workplace. Others carry the weight of past failures or are simply unsure where to begin.The job search process can reopen old wounds. Filling out forms, sitting in interviews, getting rejected—it all takes a toll. For someone who’s lost everything, even small setbacks can feel like confirmation of their deepest fears.That’s why at City Mission, we lead with compassion and grace. We build trust before we build résumés. We help residents rediscover their strengths, set realistic goals, and celebrate every step forward.Confidence doesn’t come overnight. But when someone starts to believe they have something to offer the world again—that’s when true transformation begins.Gaps in Education and Work HistoryAnother common barrier to employment is a lack of education or gaps in a person’s résumé. Many of our residents never completed high school. Others have spent years out of the workforce due to incarceration, disability, or family crises.In today’s job market, even entry-level positions often require digital literacy, problem-solving skills, and a history of stable employment. Without these, people facing homelessness often find themselves excluded from opportunities before they even get a chance to apply.City Mission addresses this challenge through our Career Training and Education Center (CTEC), which provides GED prep, digital literacy classes, job skills training, and certification programs. Residents can earn credentials in areas like ServSafe, Forklift Operation, and OSHA 10—skills that open doors to sustainable, higher-paying careers.We also offer hands-on job readiness experiences right at the Mission, from working in the kitchen or thrift store to assisting with admin or janitorial tasks. These experiences rebuild work ethic, teach soft skills, and provide a foundation of experience that residents can list proudly on their résumés.“We have residents earning their G.E.D. in a volunteer-led program,” Rychcik explained. “Thank you, Dee Dee and Janet. And others are receiving job opportunities at higher than advertised starting wages thanks to the online and onsite training City Mission provides.”With the right tools, training, and support, gaps in education or experience no longer have to mean a dead end. Instead, they become part of a story of resilience—and redemption.How You Can Help Restore Lives Through EmploymentAt City Mission, we believe restoring someone to independent living is a community effort—and that includes helping them find a path back to work.You don’t need to be an employment expert or run a job training program to make a difference. You just need a willing heart.Here are a few practical ways you can help:• Partner with us as an employer: If you own a business or have hiring influence, consider giving someone a second chance. Residents who come through City Mission’s job readiness program are motivated, trained, and eager to work. Contact Philip Rychcik at prychcik@citymission.org. • Give financially: Your donation supports vocational training, ID acquisition, transportation, and everything else that goes into preparing someone to re-enter the workforce.• Pray: Prayer is powerful. Pray for our residents to overcome fear, for our staff to provide compassionate guidance, and for our partners to open doors to opportunity.As Scripture reminds us in Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” When we help someone move from the margins to meaningful work, we restore more than employment—we restore dignity, hope, and a sense of belonging.With your help, we can continue this life-changing work. Together, we can give our neighbors not just a job, but a hope and a future.
