MP Stories

A job is more than just a paycheck

Written by Brianna Mau | Sep 7, 2023

At Mission Possible we help people find meaningful employment to improve their lives and lift themselves out of poverty. But we know one thing for sure: a job is more than just a paycheck. Don’t you agree? 

A job adds structure to our days and weeks. 

A job offers a place to go where we are seen and valued. 

A job provides us with goals and a path forward. 

David, one of our Clean Team associates, recently reminded us of this truth. 

When David first came to Mission Possible last year, he hadn’t worked since 2018. He’d spent the better part of two years focused strictly on recovering from substance-use abuse, taking care of himself, and establishing healthier habits. Recovering from substance abuse is one of the toughest tasks out there, so we already knew that David is courageous, strong, and resilient. 

Yet David was intimidated by the idea of returning to work. He wasn’t sure how juggling a full-time job would fit with his new routines in recovery. 

After enrolling in our Employment Readiness Program, David was immediately encouraged by the opportunities available to him at Mission Possible. It wasn’t long before he was working 3-4 shifts a week on our Clean Team.

“Mission Possible helped me with getting back to work, and getting some kind of career happening here… Now I have a purpose for getting up in the morning.”

- David, MP Associate 

Our Employment Readiness Program will be welcoming at least 30 new associates this fall. Like David did, these associates will receive workshop training, 1:1 coaching, safety equipment, uniforms, and ongoing job search support. 

We couldn’t do this important work without our family of donors. Our hope is to raise $15,000 together by Thanksgiving to help more people on their path to meaningful (and even life-changing!) work. Will you join in with a donation? 

This year, when David reflects on his time at Mission Possible, he is grateful for the friendliness and camaraderie he has encountered here. Whether it’s a good day or a bad one, he knows there is one thing he can count on: “At Mission Possible they want me to win.” 

Thank you for empowering associates like David with your donations and encouragement!  I am deeply grateful for this community. Together we can provide more people with the foundation for a fresh start.