Chawn Brooks: Overcoming the Odds

April 2016
Issue #1
Chawn Brooks: Overcoming the Odds
Chawn Brooks was originally born in the Spokane area.
Chawn presents himself as an honest, hard-working individual that
strives to grow and try new things. Earlier in Chawn’s life, he packed
up and moved to Massachusetts where he found work as a cook.
While Chawn was successful at this job and enjoyed the diversity of
people that he encountered, he became frustrated with the working
environment and lack of opportunities for growth. As such, Chawn
decided to move back to Spokane. Chawn craved a change in his life.
He obtained his G.E.D., went to welding school, and received his
welding certificate. Chawn anticipated that with his new skills and
qualifications that he should be able to find work easily. Chawn had
no such luck. Out of necessity, Chawn took a job with a local
restaurant only to be laid off due to lack of business.
Unfortunately, Chawn found out that his mother had been
diagnosed with cancer this past October. Since she was receiving
treatment that compromised her immune system, it was necessary that
they left the house to prevent them from passing on a cold or flu.
Chawn and his partner April became homeless at this point. They
struggled in trying to get through the harsh Spokane weather without a
permanent residence other than Chawn’s truck. Chawn describes this
time as difficult with his hopes rising and falling as they learned about
community resources only to then find out that they did not qualify or
there was an enormous waitlist before receiving any support.
Chawn (right) and his partner April
(left) stopped by the Employment
Services Office to print off more
copies of his resume to turn into
employers.
Being the proactive individual that he is, Chawn went to DSHS
to ask about programs that could help him find work. From there,
Program Statistics Overview:
Chawn learned about Fulcrum’s Employment Services. He then went
directly to Fulcrum that same day. Chawn was skeptical at first, but
Geiger:
quickly became interested when he learned about the Pre54 Certificates for Session 33
Apprenticeship Program that Fulcrum offers in conjunction with the
Graduation
Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors of America. Chawn
Retention Rate: 45%
describes the program and the instructors Will and Mike as “pretty
cool” and states that he found the information about rigging, safety,
BFET:
and construction-related math to be pretty interesting.
Clients Enrolled: 201
Chawn is now prepared to enter the work force by obtaining
Clients Employed: 106
his OSHA 10, First-Aid, and forklift certifications through the
Percent Employed: 52%
Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Chawn identified some career goals and
aspires to become a carpenter so that one day he can build a house for
RISE:
his family. Today, things are looking up for Chawn and April. They
Total Clients: 11
are currently in the process of moving into an affordable apartment.
Treatment Group: 6
Chawn also has some employment options that he has been in contact
with. Chawn sees himself soon starting a career with the chance for
growth that he has been actively seeking for so long. The Fulcrum staff
here applauds Chawn’s efforts and is proud someone as determined
and hard-working as Chawn participated in Fulcrum services.
BFET Program
The mission of BFET is to assist individuals who are currently
receiving Basic Food (AKA Food Stamps) but not TANF in
finding work.
The BFET Program at Fulcrum provides:
 Job skills training
 Case management
 Application & resume writing
 Professional clothing closet to feel confident for interviews
 Job search assistance utilizing Fulcrum’s Business Roundtable
 Support services include:
 Bus passes for work-related activities
 Required work materials such as steel-toed boots or a Food
Handler’s Card
RISE Program
Fulcrum is excited to announce that we have been given the
opportunity to participate in a 3 year research project that seeks to
expand the services available under the existing BFET program.
RISE (Resources to Initiate Successful Employment) is designed
to assist people also on Basic Food but not TANF who have
multiple barriers, for example, homelessness, criminal history,
mental illness, and other items. Once those barriers have been
reduced or eliminated, RISE clients gain training and support to
obtain career-oriented work. Since December, there are currently
11 participants in the RISE project. Some individuals interested in
RISE services may be randomly assigned to the BFET program.
These individuals still receive the same fantastic services and
support of the BFET program as offered at Fulcrum.
The RISE Program at Fulcrum provides the same items
listed above for BFET but also:
 Comprehensive case management with barrier reduction
 Strategies for Success: Enhanced life skills and job-readiness
courses that prepare individuals for life at both home and work
Fulcrum’s Business Roundtable
Upon completion of the training-related components of Fulcrum’s
Employment Services (this includes the BFET, RISE, Re-Entry, or
the Legal Financial Obligations Programs, clients have the skills
and abilities to enter the workforce. Fulcrum has a large network
of employers in the Spokane community that actively seek to hire
Fulcrum participants. This is a win-win situation as the Business
Roundtable (BRT) saves employers and employees alike time and
effort by using Fulcrum to connect qualified applicants to
companies that are actively seeking to hire new staff.
If you are interested in any of our employment services, please call
Jen at 509.795.8955 and schedule an appointment.
Construction Pre-Apprenticeship
At the end of February, Fulcrum launched a set of new courses with the
Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) at
Fulcrum’s Ash St. Workforce Training Center. Currently, small class sizes
allow instructors Will and Mike the opportunity to provide extra hands-on
support to individuals considering one of the many and varied occupations
within the construction industry. Topics covered in the class include: Career
exploration, using hand and power tools, construction math, an introduction
to signaling, rigging, and material handling. Students leave this program with
skills desirable in the workforce as well as OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR with
AED, and Forklift Certifications.
To register for this new exciting opportunity, call Sarah at 509.795.8699
Re-Entry Services
Fulcrum continues to partner with Spokane County offering education,
training, and support for individuals with criminal histories in their process to
successfully take part in our local community. Classes offered in this current
session at Geiger Correctional Facility include: Anger Management, Creative
Writing, Effective Communication, Fatherhood, and Job Skills. Between all
classes in this session, there were 54 earned certificates of completion.
Outside of Geiger Correctional Facility, Fulcrum strides to continue to assist
this population desiring a second chance. Participants who have been released
from Geiger within the last 90 days as well as individuals with “Legal
Financial Obligations” (this commonly includes items such as restitution,
fines, fees, and interest) automatically qualify to use Fulcrum’s Employment
Services to help obtain work and continue on their new path.
If you are interested in Employment Services from Fulcrum in partnership with Spokane
County, please call 509.795.8955.
Ash St. Workforce Training Center
This last quarter has been busy at the Training Center! Strategies for Success
and the AGC Pre-Apprenticeship program both launched and were able to
make great use out of the newly restored classroom facility. The Lands
Council, one tenant at Ash St., is nearing completion of its lab intended to
grow a special variety of mycelium to help clean the Spokane River.
The Ash St. Classroom (above) was
formerly a hair salon that has been
repurposed to provide education and
training to help people in the Spokane
community succeed in the workplace.
The Vintage Store and Beverage Bar continues to offer fun ways to get out and
about, enjoy a refreshment and find that unique and eclectic item to add some
pizazz to your wardrobe, home, or office. New items are added to the store’s
inventory every week, so you never know what you could find.
Intrigued by what the Vintage Store has to offer? Give us a call at 509.598.8983.
Evening Classes
Fulcrum continues its commitment to serve the Spokane
community by offering the following courses:
Anger Management
Moral Reconation
Therapy (MRT)*
Sharing the Children
Theft Awareness
*To join MRT, either an intake is needed to determine program eligibility OR
a referral from the courts or a probation officer. Interested candidates can
call to learn more about MRT and speak with Jen at 509.795.8955.
If you are interested in learning more about our other evening classes,
please call Penny at 509.838.2799.
Foreclosure Department
Fulcrum assists homeowners currently in foreclosure who have
received a Notice of Default and have either been referred
through the Department of Commerce or a private attorney to
help those homeowners maintain their homes. Recently there
have been 4 new referrals and a total of 45 open cases.
Contact Us!
Fulcrum Institute Dispute
Resolution Clinic
Supervised Visitations, Evening
Classes, Mediations, Foreclosures &
Administration:
211 West Augusta Ave.
Spokane, Washington 99205
509.838.2799
Fulcrum Employment Services,
Business Roundtable, BFET, MRT,
Re-Entry & LFO Services:
222 W. Mission Ave. Ste. 218
Spokane, Washington 99205
509.795.8955
For more information, please call Penny at 509.838.2799
Interchange Department
The Fulcrum Interchange is a safe place for parents and children
to visit each other and maintain strong family bonds. Our
facilities have been recently upgraded with fresh paint and more
furniture to help provide a warm and welcoming environment.
The Interchange is currently expanding its services to soon offer
parental instruction, and to supervise visits with medically-fragile
children. As always, Fulcrum continues to serve multiplechildren families and families outside of the Spokane area.
RISE Program & AGC
Pre-Apprenticeship Registration:
222 W. Mission Ave. Ste. 250
Spokane, Washington 99205
509.795.8699
Ash St. Workforce Training Center,
Vintage Store & Beverage Bar:
1925 N. Ash St.
Spokane, Washington 99205
509.598.8983
For more information, please call Penny at 509.838.2799.
Mediations Department
Visit us online!
Fulcrum has been in the mediation business for over 20 years
now and is highly regarded in Washington State to provide exceptional mediation to avoid costly litigation and wasted time.
Fulcrum has an expertise mediating parenting plans, divorce
agreements, and landlord tenant disputes with about an 80%
success rate.
www.fulcrumdispute.com
For more information, please call Penny at 509.838.2799.