On Monday, August 18, Literacy SC will launch Road to Work, a new job readiness program for adults experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Held on-site at Transitions Homeless Center in downtown Columbia, the class meets twice a week and runs year round.
Offered at no cost to participants, Road to Work targets essential building blocks of employment—how to identify a sustainable job match, fill out applications, prepare for interviews, and stay focused when life feels stacked against you. The program’s ultimate goal is to boost income and housing stability for as many individuals as possible.
The program’s launch comes at a time of urgent need. National homelessness has surged to record levels, with more than 770,000 Americans experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2024— an 18 percent increase from the year prior. Family homelessness jumped 39 percent, and more than 150,000 children under 18 were affected. In South Carolina, rising housing costs and the expiration of pandemic era safety nets have left many others one paycheck away from crisis.
By locating Road to Work inside Transitions, the Midlands’ largest homeless center, Literacy SC is removing key logistical barriers to employment. Participants don’t need to travel or navigate systems built for people with stable housing. They simply show up and begin learning.
Road to Work draws on a strong body of national and state-level research showing that shelter-based workforce programs significantly improve employment outcomes and housing stability. Various other initiatives have demonstrated that soft skills training and direct hiring support within shelters lead to sustained job placement and reduced reliance on emergency services.
The program is also designed with trauma in mind. Adults who’ve experienced housing instability often carry layers of hidden loss, discrimination, and emotional strain. For that reason, Road to Work is rooted in dignity, structure, and human connection. It builds confidence as much as resumes.
Volunteers can sign up to help with the class at literacysc.org/point.
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