Breaking Barriers: Workforce Support That Meets People Where They Are

Citation: HIV Alliance & University of Oregon. (2024). Breaking Barriers Program Workforce Report: August 2023–October 2024.

The Breaking Barriers program supports people impacted by substance use and housing instability in building confidence, gaining job skills, and identifying personal goals—all without requiring abstinence or perfect attendance. This low-barrier model is built on trust, flexibility, and practical support.

What You’ll Learn in This Blog

• How harm reduction and job readiness can go hand-in-hand

• What makes Breaking Barriers different from traditional employment programs

• Early outcomes and participant reflections

Key Highlights

1. No barriers to entry: No abstinence requirements. No mandatory attendance. Just support when participants are ready.

2. Hands-on, skill-building: Participants build harm reduction kits, volunteer at events, and gradually take on more responsibility.

3. Support beyond the job search: Help includes phones, charging banks, resume building, rides to interviews, and even food handler’s cards.

   
   

Early outcomes (Aug 2023–Oct 2024):

• 124 people enrolled

• 56% engaged in at least one activity

• 33 people found shelter

• 15 found jobs

• 23 engaged in treatment

Real Words from Participants

“It helped me see what the next thing I need to do. Now I’m clean, and I’m ready.”“You don’t get turned away at the door, regardless of what you look like.”“I’m going back to school to do outreach like they do here.”

Moving Forward

Breaking Barriers offers more than job training—it’s a chance to rebuild routines, goals, and self-worth at each person’s own pace.

View the full infographic to see how participants are defining success on their own terms.