Mar 14, 2023
Author: Trenton Soup Kitchen

TASK & UPS: Removing Barriers to Employment

By providing transportation, UPS removes a major roadblock to self-sufficiency

Sharon Horne smiles in her UPS gear at TASK on the one-year anniversary of her employment. TASK and UPS launched a new, creative initiative to provide transportation to employees.
Sharon Horne smiles in her UPS gear at TASK on the one-year anniversary of her employment.

Sharon Horne has been a regular presence at TASK for many years. Often called “The Face of TASK,” because of her contagious smile and willingness to share her experiences (even lending us her image for a billboard), Horne has been a diner, a student, and, more recently, a job seeker.

In the fall of 2021, TASK and UPS launched a new, creative initiative to provide transportation to employees. At that time, UPS needed to hire a crew for a late shift at their Cranbury sorting facility, and TASK knew of several potential employees. However, getting to and from the site, especially late in the evening, was nearly impossible via public transportation. As a result, an idea was born: UPS would provide a van to and from TASK to transport workers, in the hopes that removing the barrier of transportation would make the job more accessible. Horne joined the UPS crew several months into the program, and celebrated her one-year anniversary in February.

Horne says, “My job at UPS has brought me many benefits. UPS teaches positive values and expects much from its employees. We need to help one another, stay focused and pay attention to the job.”

“I have money in my pocket. I am proud of my accomplishments,” Horne continues. “I have learned new skills and I became a responsible leader of my team. My tutors at TASK are proud of me. The job has made me a better person!”

“UPS partners with the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen to provide stable employment and steady income at our Cranbury facility,” says Alexa Foxhall, UPS’s Talent & Acquisition Supervisor – North Atlantic & Garden State. “A shuttle arrives every work day [Sunday through Thursday] to transport employees to and from their shifts. Many clients have found their employment home working at UPS, including the wonderful Sharon Horne!”

Foxhall continues, “Sharon has been an exceptional employee and comes to work with a smile on her face everyday. UPS is hard work, but with hard work comes a lot of gratification. Sharon has become vital to our operations team. She is a spark to her fellow peers and the management team and always exudes a positive attitude while at work. We are honored to work with Sharon every day, and are excited to see what the future of her UPS career turns into!”

Tag: Job Search - TASK - Trenton Area Soup Kitchen - Date Posted: Mar 14, 2023 - Author: Trenton Soup Kitchen
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