July 12, 2025. By Kristen Armel.
Reliable employment and financial stability can help people escape the cycle of homelessness and positively impact health. As a fourth-year medical student and a NC Albert Schweitzer fellow, I have seen how patients experiencing homelessness face challenges regarding access to care, longer hospital durations, difficulties with disposition, and even overall health. In response, we are launching Greenville’s first employability program for people experiencing homelessness.
Health and employment are undeniably intertwined. National Institute of Health research has shown that unemployment can have lasting health consequences, including chronic illnesses, such as type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease. People without stable housing often experience prolonged hospital stays, difficulty accessing care, and barriers with post-hospital follow-up. By addressing employment as a social determinant of health, we aim to improve both the economic and overall well-being of Greenville’s residents.
This initiative, developed in collaboration with Community Crossroads, comes at a critical juncture. A Bureau of Statistics 2021 report revealed that Greenville had at least 3,281 individuals experiencing homelessness, with an unemployment rate of 4% across the city’s population. These statistics underscore an urgent need to address the structural barriers that leave so many in our community without stable work or housing.
The program’s outcomes will be assessed analyzing employment rates before and after key program milestones. We anticipate that this initiative will significantly improve employment rates for Community Crossroads Center residents, with many participants securing roles aligned with their career goals. More importantly, by following up longitudinally, we aim to foster job retention and help participants build lasting careers.
This effort is more than an employment program. It’s a step toward addressing the root causes of homelessness and poverty in our community. Stable employment is a cornerstone of health and well-being. By bridging these interconnected issues, we hope to create a ripple effect that extends far beyond the immediate participants—strengthening families, uplifting communities, and reshaping Greenville for the better. Now is the time to act. Together, we can work towards ensuring that every individual has the opportunity not just to survive, but to thrive.
Kristen Armel
2024-25 NC Schweitzer Fellow
ECU Brody School of Medicine, Class of 2025
The opinions expressed are the author’s own.