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SAMHSA Recognition Highlights the Connection Between Employment and Recovery
Monday, July 6, 2026CCC was recently recognized in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) brief, The Benefits of Employment to Recovery and Economic Self-Sufficiency, a national resource highlighting employment approaches from across the country that support both economic stability and sustained recovery.
This recognition reflects something we see throughout our programs every day: recovery is strengthened when barriers to employment are removed. When people have opportunities to develop skills, earn income, contribute to their communities, and pursue career goals, the effects often extend well beyond employment itself. Employment doesn’t just provide income—it promotes independence, self-worth, and lasting change.
Building Stability Through Employment
At CCC, employment services are intentionally integrated into broader recovery and stability efforts. From volunteer experiences and job placement support to legal services and transitional employment opportunities, we help individuals address obstacles that can stand in the way of long-term success.
The outcomes we see at CCC reinforce that connection. Clients with employment services on top of health or housing services are 5.5 x more likely to exit transitional recovery housing to permanent housing and 7.2 x more likely to complete Substance Use Disorder treatment without readmission to detox.
“One of the most rewarding parts of our work is seeing clients realize what they’re capable of,” says Sarah Holland, Senior Director of Supportive Housing and Employment. “We’ve watched people go from doubting whether they could find a job to celebrating their first day at work and building the future they envisioned for themselves. Those successes are possible because our employment team walks alongside clients every step of the way—offering guidance, encouragement, and unwavering belief in their potential.”
Creating Multiple Paths to Employment
There is no single route back into the workforce. Some people need opportunities to develop workplace skills and confidence. Others need assistance navigating a job search, addressing legal barriers, or gaining recent work experience. CCC’s employment programs are designed to support individuals at different stages of that journey.
Community Volunteer Corps (CVC)
CVC helps participants gain experience in professional settings through volunteer placements with local nonprofits. These opportunities allow individuals to strengthen communication, teamwork, and other workplace skills while contributing to the community and exploring future employment goals.
Employment Access Center (EAC)
The EAC provides individualized employment support, including job counseling, job search assistance, training opportunities, and access to technology and other resources. The program receives referrals both from within CCC and from community partners.
The EAC utilizes the Individual Placement and Support–Supported Employment (IPS-SE) model, an evidence-based approach recognized by SAMHSA for helping individuals with behavioral health needs pursue competitive employment. Research associated with the model has linked employment participation with improved quality of life and reduced reliance on crisis services.
For some clients, the biggest barriers to employment have little to do with job skills. Criminal records, court debt, suspended licenses, and other legal challenges can prevent otherwise qualified individuals from accessing employment and housing opportunities. To help address those obstacles, the EAC partners with CLEAR Clinic to provide low-barrier legal services, including expungement support, court fine and fee relief, and other legal assistance. Since the partnership began in 2025, 327 participants have received services, resulting in 639 criminal convictions filed for expungement and more than $518,000 in requested fee and fine waivers.
Social Enterprises
In addition to helping people prepare for and secure employment, CCC also creates employment opportunities through its social enterprises. These mission-driven businesses provide transitional and supportive work experiences while generating revenue that supports CCC’s broader mission.
Central City Bed manufactures durable, sustainable furniture designed for affordable housing developments, shelters, and dormitories. Developed from CCC’s experience as a housing provider, the patented furniture line is designed to resist bed bugs, withstand long-term use, and simplify maintenance for housing operators.
Through Clean Start, participants gain paid work experience while contributing to neighborhood livability efforts across Portland. The program combines employment opportunities with support services that help individuals transitioning out of homelessness build work history, develop professional skills, and reconnect with the workforce.
Central City Staffing is a 12-month temporary training program that provides staffing support throughout CCC’s network of housing buildings, clinics, and offices. Participants gain hands-on experience in front desk operations, building maintenance, emergency procedures, and customer service while helping create safe and welcoming environments for residents, patients, and staff.
Together, these enterprises provide meaningful employment opportunities while helping participants build experience, confidence, and skills that support long-term career growth.
Removing Barriers, Creating Opportunity
Many individuals returning to the workforce after experiencing homelessness, recovery, or incarceration encounter skepticism from employers despite being ready and eager to work. That’s one reason CCC is committed to second-chance employment practices and works alongside partners who recognize potential rather than focusing solely on past circumstances.
“We don’t just hand people a paycheck; we give them a launchpad for the rest of their lives,” says Mike Leslie, Director of Social Enterprises and Development. “By combining job skills with critical resources like legal clinics and GED support—all wrapped in a zero-judgment culture—we are helping people dismantle the barriers holding them back.”
Looking Beyond the Job
Employment is often one of the most visible milestones in a person’s recovery journey, but its value goes beyond a job title or paycheck. Meaningful work can strengthen self-confidence, increase housing stability, expand opportunities, and help people build a future on their own terms.
The recognition from SAMHSA highlights an approach that organizations across the country are embracing: employment is not separate from recovery—it is an important part of it. Through volunteer opportunities, individualized employment services, social enterprises, legal support, and second-chance employment practices, CCC helps create opportunities for people to move forward and achieve lasting self-sufficiency.
Help support CCC’s employment services by donating today.
