City receives E3 program update as CATS highlights outreach, work‑experience outcomes

City staff and Community Assistance Teams of Flagstaff (CATS/Katz) presented an annual update on the Engage, Empower, Elevate (E3) program, which connects unsheltered community members to short work placements, services and referrals.

Steven Thompson, sustainability division manager, described the program’s origins and said a pilot led to a partnership with CATS. Thompson noted ongoing funding of $30,000 from economic vitality and BBB funds to run the PAW work‑experience component and thanked procurement and grants staff for support.

Pam Jensen, executive director at CATS/Katz, reviewed program activities and outcomes: weekly outreach runs, connections to partners (behavioral health, workforce programs, expungement services), and metrics such as the amount of litter removed and the geographic outreach footprint. Jensen said staff assisted roughly 14 individuals through deeper connections and provided examples of how work experience supports steps toward housing or employment. She described two open 3‑month paid positions funded via federal workforce dollars (navigator and office assistant) targeted to people from federally recognized tribes through a Phoenix Indian Center workforce program.

Council members and public speakers praised the program and asked operational questions. Council member Matthews asked whether the program connects people with the local ‘justice bus’ expungement services; Jensen confirmed a partnership and said the program hosted expungement assistance in its office. Council member House and others encouraged expanding the program and noted its value for community inclusion.

Jensen emphasized the program’s intention to provide dignity, connection to services and short‑term financial support, and asked for continued council support as the program seeks to expand seasonally.