Religion, Job Readiness, and Employment Outcomes: The Case of Latter-Day Saint Employment Resource Services
Keywords
religion, faith based, welfare, employment
Abstract
Despite increased attention to religious organizations as an ally in America's welfare-to-work revolution, faith- based employment assistance programs have garnered little attention from scholars. This study seeks to fill this gap by examining intake and follow-up survey data collected from clients of Employment Resource Centers sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). The authors begin by examining the sociodemo- graphic composition and human capital of the clientele served by Employment Resource Centers. They then proceed to explore the economic outcomes associated with program participation. LDS job seekers differ from their national counterparts, with the former commanding significantly higher stocks of human capital. Still, net of controls for human capital and other characteristics, positive economic outcomes are observed for client participation in select Employment Resource Center programs. This study sheds new light on the prospects and challenges of faith-based efforts to assist unemployed and underemployed job seekers.
Original Publication Citation
Bartkowski, John P., Vaughn R.A. Call, Tim B. Heaton, and Renata Forste. 2007. “Religion, Job Readiness, and Employment Outcomes: The Case of Latter-Day Saint Employment Resource Services.” Research on Social Work Practice, 17(2):188-198
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Bartkowski, John; Call, Vaugh R A; Heaton, Tim B.; and Forste, Renata, "Religion, Job Readiness, and Employment Outcomes: The Case of Latter-Day Saint Employment Resource Services" (2007). Faculty Publications. 2789.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/facpub/2789
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
2007-03-01
Permanent URL
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/5615
Publisher
Research on Social Work Practice
Language
English
College
Family, Home, and Social Sciences
Department
Sociology
Copyright Status
© 2007 Sage Publications