Employment changes lives. It creates stability, builds confidence, and gives people the tools to define their own future. At CCC, employment is one of the most powerful ways we help people recover and rebuild—and it’s a major focus of this year’s Compassion in Action luncheon, where we’re highlighting what it means to truly invest in what works.
That’s why we’re turning the spotlight on the Employment Access Center (EAC), a team dedicated to helping people overcome barriers, find meaningful work, and stay connected to opportunity.
Opening Doors Through Employment
The EAC is CCC’s one-stop resource for employment support. It’s a welcoming space where clients are met with respect, encouragement, and personalized guidance at every stage of the job search. EAC staff assess skills, identify barriers, and work closely with clients to chart a path toward employment that aligns with their goals.
At every step, EAC staff meet people where they are, offering practical support and a belief in what’s possible. Services range from resume building and interview prep to job placement and long-term retention support. The team also helps clients navigate training and certifications in high-demand fields like health care, construction, manufacturing, and Portland’s growing green sector.
Employment as a Pathway to Stability
Employment doesn’t just provide income—it promotes independence, self-worth, and lasting change. In the last year, the EAC supported 1,832 individuals, with 660 securing employment through the center. These are more than just numbers; they represent lives redirected, stability regained, and futures rewritten.
Employment is a key factor in both exiting and preventing homelessness and the EAC plays a critical role. Clients who receive employment services in addition to housing or health support are 5.5 times more likely to transition from recovery housing to permanent housing and 7.2 times more likely to complete substance use treatment without readmission to detox.
With personalized guidance, skills training, and long-term support, the EAC helps clients build not just careers, but confidence and community.
Progress in Motion at the EAC
The EAC recently partnered with CLEAR Clinic, a local legal services nonprofit, to create low-barrier access to free legal support. CLEAR Clinic provides expungement and court record relief services for clients facing criminal background-related barriers to employment, hosting monthly legal events throughout CCC’s 2026 fiscal year.
In addition, the team completed a six-month process improvement project focused on enhancing how EAC operates in response to high demand and client needs. The effort culminated in an all-staff training on new operating processes designed to improve efficiency, strengthen collaboration, and enhance both staff and client experiences.
Building Toward What’s Next
As the EAC continues supporting people on their path to meaningful employment, the need for inclusive workplaces and long-term opportunity remains clear. Whether you’re a partner agency, a potential employer, or a community member who believes in second chances, you have a role to play.
Share this spotlight, spread the word, or make a gift to support employment as a pathway to stability and recovery. If you or someone you know is interested in being a second chance employer or exploring CCC’s staffing and employment solutions, we’d love to connect.
Create opportunity by supporting CCC’s employment services for people on the path to stability.
