Housing Works: Housing Prevents AIDS. Housing Improves Health.

Community Story

• Sammie J., Job Trainee

  Hey there, I’m Schmid Jean-Louis, otherwise known as Sammie J. I was a COBRA case management client for four years, and now I am on staff at Housing Works! It wasn’t easy.
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  José Ortiz

  We’re thrilled that your support keeps Housing Works businesses thriving—we’ve opened "two new thrift shops this year!":http://www.housingworks.org/news-press/detail/housing-works-strong-sales-necessitate-move-to-larger-tribeca-location/ — not just because the stores raise money for lifesaving HIV/AIDS services, but because our businesses provide life-changing jobs to Housing Works clients who enroll in our "Second Life Job Training Program":http://www.housingworks.org/services/prevention/job-training/ (JTP). When José Ortiz was released from prison in 1996,he was HIV-positive, addicted to drugs and homeless. But Ortiz soon became a Housing Works client, and enrolled in JTP. Since graduating from the program, Ortiz has been a valued sales associate and sorter at Housing Works Thrift Shops for the last 11 years. Ortiz is one of 261 JTP grads who have gone on to jobs at Housing Works with a guaranteed starting salary of $25,000 and full benefits.