Helping One Another Gets Noticed

The main focus of my position is to connect employers to refugees and vice-versa. However, between the two there are barriers that often make these connections difficult or nearly impossible. One barrier that is often identified during conversations with employers throughout Iowa is the lack of transportation. Often places of employment are located far from job seekers’ homes. Public transportation is not adequate or available.

Job Rides’ purpose helps eliminate the lack of transportation and enhances quality of life for underserved populations by making the connection to quality employment a reality.

In August of 2022 I was released from the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville, IA. I was placed in the Fresh Start Facility in Des Moines where I was introduced to Raine Recruiting and Job Rides. I had little but my prison sweatsuit and some hygiene items to my name. They not only helped me get my job at Katecho (where I’ve since been promoted three times and am still employed) but Job Rides made sure I got there every day. Even arranged a pickup for me at my apartment when I moved out of the facility on my own. I’ve accomplished a lot since my release in August. I’ve purchased a new car, am going back to school to further my career at Katecho as an engineer, and just got approved for a mortgage to buy my first home. I’ll never forget the morning rides with all the incredible staff at Job Rides. Thank you so much for this second chance at life! I will definitely be making the most of it! I just wanted you all to know what a big difference you’re making out here. Keep up the amazing work!

Job Rides has been a lifesaver for us at Dee Zee. We can’t thank Bill and his team enough for seeing that there was a need for a program like this in the Des Moines area. We have been working closely with Refugee Services throughout Des Moines to provide arriving refugees with job opportunities. These employees have become amazing assets to our company, but after a few months if they do not have a license and car, they have no way to get to work due to no longer being eligible for transportation through government services. Job Rides found a solution that we are incredibly grateful for, as are our employees. It gives these individuals more time to get acclimated to the area until they are able to get a license and transportation for themselves. A huge thank you to Bill and his team for being so helpful and easy to work with, while providing such an essential program to our area. Without this program, we would lose a lot of incredible staff.