This case (Case A) is part of a series of four integrated cases about The Empowerment Plan (TEP), a Detroit-based nonprofit that worked to break the cycle of homelessness through training, employment, and job placement. Founded in 2012 by Veronika Scott, TEP recruited employees through homeless shelters and provided them with training, education, and full-time employment manufacturing sleeping bag coats. The specially designed coats were distributed free of charge to the homeless population.
Case A presents basic information about the founding of TEP, how employees were hired and trained, employee roles on the production line, and how employees were promoted, managed and motivated. The case also introduces the concept of the TEP internship/fellowship program and is appropriate for a class session focused on job design and job crafting.