On the Job Ministries (OTJ) is a faith-based ministry focused on job mentoring and small business development for young adults ages 16-21 who live on the West Side of Buffalo. By developing and growing sustainable businesses, OTJ is able to offer long-term, positive work experiences that can be customized to each young person’s unique gifts, interests, and life circumstances.

Description:
OTJ extends well beyond traditional job placement services. We don’t offer classroom training and then send our teens to the marketplace. We create small businesses for, and with, them. With this approach we can:

*Partner teens with mentors who will teach and model essential life skills and strong work ethics.
*Customize jobs based on each person’s unique life circumstances, capabilities, gifts, and interests.
*Offer work they can be proud of in a safe, encouraging Christ-centered environment.
*Cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit within each young person so that they can see the future possibilities beyond their past and present realities.

This long-term, roll-up-your-sleeves approach enables us to not only create jobs, but also build futures for and change the lives of each and every kid who walks through our doors.

Currently, OTJ operates three businesses out of our location at 289 Grant Street: New to You, a thrift store; Soap Works, a soap making business; and Westside Wheels, a bike repair and resale business.

History:
OTJ was born in July 2008 out of a partnership of Peace of the City and Westside Ministries.

We began because we believe that every young person needs and deserves an opportunity to learn to work hard and develop job skills so that they can provide for themselves and their families.

Yet we know many of these young people have complicated life situations that make it difficult for them to be immediately successful employees.

In response, On the Job Ministries moved into three storefronts in the heart of Grant Street and has been successfully employing, mentoring and investing in a team of young adults.

Contact people:

Kim DeFlyer, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Kristie Rush, Board President, (phone), (email)

Address:

289 Grant Street Buffalo, NY 14210 (See a map)

Directions:

Take 190 to the Niagara/Peace Bridge exit. Proceed down Niagara Street past five traffic lights. Turn right onto Lafayette Street. On Lafayette, proceed through three stop signs. Turn left at the traffic light onto Grant Street.. . . (more)