The Doe Fund Celebrates More Than 100 New Ready, Willing & Able Graduates

On July 23rd, The Doe Fund celebrated more than 100 individuals overcoming homelessness to achieve full time employment, permanent housing, and lasting stability at its Ready, Willing & Able Graduation Ceremony. The event was hosted at St. Agnes Church, in the same space where the first Ready, Willing & Able programs began in 1990. Its newest graduates were joined by friends, family, fellow alumni, and Doe Fund staff for a night of inspiration and celebration.

Speakers including New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five, hip hop legend Fab 5 Freddy, The Doe Fund President & CEO Jennifer Mitchell, Ready, Willing & Able graduates Stephen Johnson and Raymie Farmer, and Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt.

Ready, Willing & Able combines paid transitional work experience, transitional housing, and comprehensive support services to provide all the tools needed to overcome homelessness — all in one place. Trainees begin the program by providing street cleaning and maintenance services to over 115 miles of New York City streets. This puts money directly into their pockets while teaching essential workplace skills that are refined in the program’s workforce development classes, which include vocational training for living wage fields. Trainees also receive case management, addiction recovery support, pro bono legal services, financial literacy, computer skills training, adult basic education, and many other supportive services.

Ready, Willing & Able graduates are “Doe Fund for Life.” They receive a stipend for the first five months after graduating to help them better acclimate into independent living. Graduates are also able to return to The Doe Fund to take any of the classes Ready, Willing & Able offers so they can further advance their careers.

The graduation ceremony was covered by 1010 WINS, PIX 11, CBS NY, and NY Amsterdam News.