About Us
Why Dignified Workday?
Why Dignified Workday?
Because everyone deserves a chance.
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We’re changing lives, one workday at a time.
Dignified Workday provides low-barrier jobs to people experiencing homelessness and instability. Launched in 2023 in partnership with Saint Ann Catholic Church and SDS Commercial, our program is helping make the changes we all want to see in our city.
From small start to big impact.
“The people we work with come from many walks of life, and they’re so genuine. Every day, we learn from each other, and we’re building relationships that matter.”
“The people we work with come from many walks of life, and they’re so genuine. Every day, we learn from each other, and we’re building relationships that matter.”
Malai Robideaux
supervisor
Our story
Weeds were overtaking the grounds of Saint Ann Catholic Church.
It was the spring of 2023, and parishioner Tresa Schmautz – a retired social worker and volunteer gardener – was overwhelmed as she tended the historic property in Spokane’s East Central Neighborhood.
“A man was walking past the church, and I asked if he wanted to work for compensation. He said yes, and we worked for two hours,” says Tresa. “Then he asked if he could come back and bring some friends. That’s how it all started.”
Over the next few months, Tresa and her gardening crew met every Tuesday morning to pull weeds. Their numbers grew each week, and by October, around 60 unhoused people were showing up to work.
“I was surprised by how many people wanted to work. I was out looking for weeds everywhere. We were even weeding city property,” says Tresa. “But I knew that come fall, it would get cold, and there’d be no more yard work for our crew.”
That’s when she reached out to a fellow parishioner for help. Andy Dwonch is the Chief Operating Officer at Career Path Services, a Spokane-based employment and human services nonprofit that serves job seekers throughout Washington State. Career Path Services had the resources and experience to build on Tresa’s concept and develop a robust program.
On January 2, 2024, Dignified Workday officially launched with the support of Career Path Services.
Currently, the program has 70+ workers on its payroll and a waitlist of people wanting to join the team. Tresa believes the program is growing because the work means so much to participants.
“I figured people would come to work because they want to make money, but I didn’t think they’d be so happy about it. They really enjoy it. And they do amazing work,” she says.
“I believe there’s dignity in work, and I absolutely think they’ve found dignity in this work.”
“This can be something much bigger, much more transformational in the long term.”
“This can be something much bigger, much more transformational in the long term.”
Andy Dwonch
co-founder
Meet Our Team
Harold Vanderpool
director of operations
Alan Aldous
director of finance
Elijah Rodriguez
coordinator
Malai Robideaux
coordinator
Vince Slawter
coordinator
Mike Dassow
supervisor
Stephanie Napier
supervisor
Lee McNutt
supervisor
Josh Nielsen
supervisor
Leah Castillo
navigator
Connor Weir
navigator
Questions? Reach out.
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Dignified Workday is low-barrier employment program in Spokane, Washington designed to help people experiencing homelessness and instability.
Dignified Workday LLC is a disregarded entity and subsidiary of Career Path Services, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All Dignified Workday contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
