By: Paris Wright, Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center Manager

This month’s question in our ongoing “Finding Your Footing” series comes from a neighbor of the ENEC who asked: “What can unemployed Pittsburghers do to overcome the barriers standing between them and steady employment?”

It’s a big question – and an important one. For many folks in our city, the job hunt isn’t just about finding the right role – it’s about getting past the challenges that make finding (and keeping) a job almost impossible. Whether it’s access to transportation, needing more skills, or navigating reentry after incarceration, barriers can take many forms. But the good news is: there’s help, and there’s hope. Let’s break down the ways job seekers in Pittsburgh can move forward – and where to find the support to do it.

At the Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center, we’ve been helping neighbors work through those barriers for over 20 years. We offer free one-on-one support to anyone looking for work – from resume writing and job application support, to weekly check-ins and mock interviews. Sometimes the first step is just having someone to talk to that understands what you’re up against.

We also connect job seekers with resources across Pittsburgh that are designed to meet specific needs. For example, Partner4Work plays a major role in linking people to training and job opportunities citywide. Programs like the Pittsburgh Prosperity Project help people who need additional support – like childcare, transportation, or housing – so they can focus on work or training without falling behind at home.

Need to build and develop new skills? Auberle Employment Institute, JFCS Career Services, and Literacy Pittsburgh are excellent places to start. They offer training in soft skills, basic education, GED prep, and digital literacy – all the tools employers are looking for. Goodwill, too, has accessible computer classes for anyone who needs to get more confident using technology.

Some folks face more specific barriers. If you’re returning from incarceration, organizations like Fair Shake and the Center for Employment Opportunities provide focused reentry help. If you’re living with a disability, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation can help with job placement and ongoing support. And if you’re managing your mental health, Mercy Behavioral Health is here to help you stay on track.

Networking is another key piece of the puzzle. It’s not always about who you know – but it helps to know someone. I encourage attending local job fairs, building a LinkedIn profile, or connecting with mentors in your fields. Building relationships can open some doors that online job boards cannot.

At the ENEC, we help folks build their personal brand, tell their stories, and find a rhythm that works for them – whether it’s weekly appointments, monthly check-ins, or just having a quiet place to fill out applications.

The road to employment isn’t always easy, but no one has to walk it alone. With the right support, steady encouragement, and a little persistence, Pittsburgh job seekers can overcome the barriers in front of them – and we’ll be right here to help.

The Eastside Neighborhood Employment Center (ENEC), brought to you by the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation (BGC), aims to help improve the economic and social vitality within the community through workforce development, job readiness training, career counseling, and ultimately, job placement. The ENEC Manager, Paris Wright, is a lifelong resident of the Garfield neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Mr. Wright is no stranger to workforce development, bringing well over 15 years of experience that he uses to connect the Garfield community and ENEC visitors to the professional and personal resources they need to find employment opportunities and deal with a range of challenges affecting the quality of life within their households. In 2024 alone, Mr. Wright succeeded in placing 160 ENEC visitors with job placements.  

The ENEC’s services are available for anyone aged 16 and up and is located at the Bloomfield-Garfield Corporation at 113 N. Pacific Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15224 and can be contacted at (412) 362-8580.