Employment & Economic Empowerment

JFS strives to create solutions.

JFS offers services to support job seekers in achieving financial independence through job search support, career guidance, financial education, asset building, and small business planning.

For more information on any of these services, please email info@jfsannarbor.org or call 734-769-0209.

Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH)

Recipients of cash assistance in Washtenaw County & for whom English is a barrier to employment are referred to JFS for PATH. Recipients work with a case manager to obtain and retain employment.

Matching Grant Program

An alternative to public cash assistance providing services to enable refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking, and special immigrant visa holders (SIVs) to become economically self-sufficient within 120 to 180 days of program eligibility. Services provided are case management, employment services, maintenance assistance, and cash allowance.

Micro Enterprise Development (MED)

Helps refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian enrants, victims of human trafficking and special immigrant visa holders (SIV) develop, expand or maintain their own businesses and become financially independent through an education curriculum, credit building, and loan support.

Refugee Career Pathways (RCP)

Assists refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, victims of human trafficking, and special immigrant visa holders (SIVs) who arrived within the last five years to advance education and employment opportunities within in-demand industries such as healthcare, transportation, manufacturing, and skilled trades.

Digital Literacy and Learning

Assists refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, victims of human trafficking, and special immigrant visa holders (SIVs) who arrived within the last three years and are TANF eligible to obtain technology and increase digital literacy to support participation in education and the workplace.

Career Services

Assist the unemployed or underemployed residents of Washtenaw County who don’t qualify under other employment programs with resume and job search assistance.

Refugee Employment Program

Assists all refugees, asylees, Cuban/Haitian entrants, victims of human trafficking, and special immigrant visa holders (SIVs) who arrived within the last five years of arrival to prepare for, obtain, retain, and upgrade employment.

Refugee Agricultural Partnership Program

Assists refugees, asylees, Afghan and Ukrainian parolees, victims of human trafficking, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders in learning the American agricultural system, participate in a community garden, and start their own agricultural businesses.

Afghan Individual Development Accounts (IDA)

Assists Afghan nationals in the U.S. as refugees, asylees, parolees, victims of human trafficking, and Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) in learning the American financial system and building their own savings and assets. Participants will receive technical assistance and savings match towards purchasing a car, a first home, starting a small business, attaining higher education, or rental assistance.