Building dignity through local work today
Dignified Workday is a rapidly growing low-barrier employment program in Spokane that is reshaping how the community supports individuals experiencing homelessness and instability. Founded by Tresa and Steve Schmautz after an unexpected encounter in 2023, the organization officially launched in 2024 through a partnership with Career Path Services and the support of SDS Realty.
Built on the belief that everyone deserves the dignity of meaningful work, the program offers daily employment opportunities that help people rebuild their lives one shift at a time. Participants earn above minimum wage, work flexible four- to five-hour shifts, and receive bi-weekly paychecks, all while contributing to projects that directly benefit neighborhoods and local businesses.
Dignified Workday crews handle a wide range of services, including construction, demolition, cleanup, landscaping, hauling, painting, snow removal, and even assisting elderly residents with moves. More than 70 individuals have voluntarily joined the work crew, with 23 securing stable housing, 13 transitioning into full-time employment, and 15 entering sobriety to date.
Demand is increasing dramatically. By late 2025, over 500 individuals were on the waitlist for employment through Dignified Workday, highlighting both the program’s effectiveness and the urgent need in Spokane. The organization currently employs around 60 people and continues expanding partnerships with Catholic Charities, Walker Construction, WSDOT, Avista Corp., and municipalities including Spokane and Spokane Valley. This includes a new partnership with The Spokesman Review as well.
Now, the next step requires the business community.
Dignified Workday is actively seeking corporate and local business partners to provide contracted work opportunities and financial commitments that will expand this proven work-first model. By partnering, businesses can:
- Complete needed projects with reliable, supervised crews
- Invest directly in a solution reducing homelessness and instability
- Strengthen Spokane’s workforce pipeline
- Be part of measurable, lasting community impact
For many participants, this program is more than a paycheck—it is a path toward stability, purpose, and pride. With the support of Spokane’s business community, Dignified Workday can scale its impact and meet the growing demand for opportunity.
Learn more or become a partner:
https://www.dignifiedworkday.org
https://www.careerpathservices.org