As Job Program Director, Rikard will lead PEM’s two primary services – job readiness training and job placement assistance. He will teach job seekers how to dress for success, write a resume, search for work and interview successfully.Prior to joining Phoenix Employment Ministry, Rikardworked as a Field Organizer in Craven Country for President Obama’s reelection campaign, where he built and led a grassroots volunteer organization aimed at turning out the vote in the November 2012 election. Rikard has extensive experience in the recruitment and executive search field and worked six years with two multinational recruitment firms, Robert Half International and Michael Page Sweden.A native of North Carolina, Rikardgraduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in communication and later attained an MBA from American University.

Sheri McGraw joined Phoenix Employment Ministry to launch its new Rise Up program, which is the next step forward for individuals who have completed the Job Search Program and are employed.  Rise Up helps workers reach new levels of success in life skills, financial literacy and career advancement. McGraw came to Phoenix after serving as a Regional Communications Director and national spokesperson for the American Red Cross.  A native of West Virginia, McGraw graduated from Ohio University with a degree in Communications.

Since 2003, Phoenix Employment Ministry held fast to its mission “to empower the sheltered homeless and nearly homeless by helping them find and keep satisfying, long-term employment.”  In the process, Phoenix transforms lives, repairs broken spirits and inspires hope where there once was despair. To date, more than 550 people have found jobs through the program, but the demand for services is so great that many unemployed people are turned away because of lack of space and staffing. For more information, visit www.phoenixemploymentministry.org