Scaling a Woman-led Nonprofit that Reconnects People with Jobs and Income

A place to call home and a job that pays a living wage are fundamental building blocks to a safe and joyful life. Yet, homelessness continues to rise. Rising rents and the disappearance of pandemic aid have led to a 12% increase in homelessness in the U.S., as reported by the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2023. Since 2007, First Step Staffing (FSS) has taken an innovative approach to ending homelessness by connecting people to job skills training and placement services, among other wraparound services, to empower individuals working toward self-sufficiency.

Headquartered in Atlanta, FSS is one of the largest nonprofit staffing agencies in the country. The organization uses a personal touch to restore dignity, employ and support individuals experiencing homelessness and those who have been impacted by the criminal justice system, as well as those who face barriers to employment, such as veterans, refugees, and domestic violence survivors.

“Our goal is to give people a chance to reconnect with jobs and income,” said FSS Chief Executive Officer Amelia Nickerson, who stated the company offers a variety of wraparound services, including transportation, job coaching, housing assistance and free upskilling opportunities, to give people “a chance for not only economic opportunity but also economic mobility”.

Amelia Nickerson has led FSS as the CEO since 2020. Her path to nonprofit management started at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra before she transitioned to a local firm in Atlanta, where FSS was a client. Before taking on the role of CEO amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Amelia was recruited to join the team as VP of Development and Communications. Having more female nonprofit leaders brings diverse perspectives, fosters inclusivity, and promotes gender equality in leadership roles, yet only 22%* of large nonprofit CEOs are women.

Amelia’s vision for FSS has been a large factor in their expansion to new markets. Over the last five years, FSS has grown from a one location nonprofit serving 100 individuals each year to a seven-location nonprofit serving 8,000 per year—with the ability to scale and serve another 50,000 individuals over the next few years.

Reinvestment Fund first partnered with the social enterprise staffing agency during its expansion to Philadelphia in 2018. FSS’s innovative approach for removing barriers to housing through job creation aligns with Reinvestment Fund’s efforts to support transformative change in communities across the country. FSS provides a bridge to opportunities that aren’t always available to its clients.

“Working with a lender that understands social impact has been invaluable for First Step Staffing,” said Nickerson.

In 2023, Reinvestment Fund supported the organization’s expansion once again to a new headquarters location in Atlanta—housed in the newly built THRIVE Building—offering a welcoming environment, local housing for FSS clients, expanded programming, and the capacity to grow.

“A CDFI like Reinvestment Fund was a great fit for First Step Staffing because we are aligned in our mission and our goals,” said McKenna Gosa, Reinvestment Fund Director, Lending and Investing, Southeast. Since inception in 1985, Reinvestment Fund has provided over $3 billion in financing to strengthen neighborhoods, scale social enterprises, and build resilient communities. “It was a pleasure to work with FSS on this loan and provide capital to really expand their organization, enter new markets, and start new services within the organization.”

*American Association of University Women (AAUW)

Originally published in the Saporta Report, March 19, 2024