A recent donation to the UHC-Hub of Opportunities will remove one more barrier to many seeking a job in the community.
Local community advocate Sam Sinjari donated 700 pairs of slip-resistant shoes in sizes 6-13.
"There's usually a gap, that one or two weeks, before [new employees] get a paycheck. That was a gap that I saw, and I saw it as a barrier for some of the people going to work and having the proper safe shoes or being able to go there with confidence on the first day," said Sinjari. "Imagine having a job, going on the first day and feeling that insecurity that you're not prepared. Even though you have the right training, you have the right work ethic, but you lack that confidence because you're showing up with a pair of running shoes," said Sinjari.
The shoes will be distributed to clients of the UHC who are starting jobs in hospitality, retail, healthcare and food service industries.
"When you're not working and you have to come up with money to start a job to get shoes or other essentials, it puts a lot of stress on our clients. So this is a really great donation," said June Muir, CEO of the UGH-Hub of Opportunities.
Muir said this unique donation will have a major impact for many in the community.