Page 4
August 18, 1999
Focus
ffihaeruer
Better
People
Not Just Better Workers
that meets us halfway. We have an
alumni club of people who have
gone
through our program and who
ell, about two years ago I saw
are
now
giving back to the commu­
that there was a need for a
nity.
Clients
in the group decide
program here in Portland that would
whether
the
other
clients are ready
focus on the employment needs of
to
progress
to
the
next
step. So, you
people that were on probation or on
can’t
really
con
your
way
through
parole and no one was really taking
the
therapy
groups.
Some
people
that lead. Additionally, no one was
who
aren’t
ready
to
make
life
doing anything on unemployment
changes
don’t
make
it
through
the
beyond just helping somebody find
a job The trick is not to just place elementary steps. Their colleagues
somebody on the job, but to help can see through some of the situa­
them make lasting changes in all tions they’re in. It’s kind of a natu­
ral screening process. Some of our
Photo by Cheryl Juetten
aspects of their lives.
One of the unique things about best successes have been where a Executive Director Chip Shields (left) and Recruitment Specialist Clariner Boston help a client (seated)
my company, Better People, is that client has gone into a group session with his program steps.
we only work with companies that and has been so touched by the
pay a minimum of $8 per hour plus MR T process that they’ve
health benefits. We try not to place decided to take responsi­
people in jobs that do not pay them bility for their own lives
enough to live on. Some companies completely.
Better People stays in
don’t have the best of intentions. If a
Take our FREE bus to Chinook
company is interested only in giving the picture after placing a
Winds Casino. It stops at
low wages and has a high turnover, client in a job much longer
we’re not going to deal with them. than most agencies do. Our
these convenient locations:
We want to work with companies staff person, David Aplin,
Clackamas
Portland
■ that take a long-term interest in the makes sure that the client
Town
Center
NE
Portland
is
succeeding
at
work.
He
career development of our clients.
goes
out
to
the
work
site
Forest Grove
Vancouver
If someone wanted to get into
our program, they would call our and sits down with the su­
Park Rose
Gateway
Recruitment Specialist, Ciarina pervisor and employee to
Estacada
Camas
Boston She would set them up for periodically iron out poten­
Sandy
Beaverton
an orientation depending upon how tial issues before they be­
Gresham
Tigard
much room we have in our pro­ come problems. Our track
Wilsonville
Tualatin
gram. They would pay a one-time record has been impressive;
Canby
McMinnville
fee of $25 and then enter our group we’ve had excellent refer­
sessions We ask clients to attend ences from the companies
Oregon City
Newburg
Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) where clients have worked,
Hillsboro
two times per week in the evening. and a job retention rate of
Call to reserve your seat
MRT is a 12 step program that more than 78% after 6
helps ex offenders learn more about months. Because of the sup­
today. You’ll also get a FREE
port we offer, many times
themselves, how to build good rela
Casino Fun Book, full o f casino
tionships and set and achieve long companies can do better
hiring
people
through
us
games bonuses, discounts
term goals. We help them get tern
than
by
hiring
people
just
porary employment while they’re
and dining specials.
progressing through the MRT, and walking off the streets.
William “Chip" Shields
once they demonstrate that they
Call 1-888-244-6665
can accept rules, procedures and is the founder and execu
for reservations and a
treatment requirem ents, then tive director of Better
schedule from your area.
People.
The
company
is
they’re eligible to be placed with
•Must b« 21 years or older
the companies that we work with located at 4839 NE Mar­
tin
Luther
King
Jr.
Blvd.
on a permanent basis paying $8/
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#9. For more information,
hour plus benefits.
www.chinookwindscasino.com
We will work with any client call 503/281-2663.
By William “Chip” Shields
W
F re e
T ic k e t t o
R id e !
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