From First Step Staffing:
The Atlanta City Council, led by Councilman Amir Farokhi, proclaimed October 16 as Greg Block day in honor of local leader, entrepreneur and founder of First Step Staffing who passed away on August 14, 2020, following a seven year battle with Cancer. October 16 marks the day First Step Staffing (FSS) officially gained its 501c3 status in 2007.
Block, both a corporate and social entrepreneur, sold a successful home textile company in his early 40s to focus on a way to give back to Atlanta. After a series of discussions with City and nonprofit leaders, Greg decided to tackle the long-standing challenge of chronic homelessness. He applied a business solution to a social problem and founded First Step Staffing. First Step helps put to work those most vulnerable to permanent unemployment and chronic homelessness. Councilman Farokhi said “Greg’s legacy of innovation and compassion changed and saved the lives of hundreds of homeless, returning citizens, and veterans, in our City who were losing hope for their own future.”
Just a few years after launching First Step Staffing, Greg raised funds from community development financial institutions and social impact lenders to acquire a larger staffing firm in Atlanta. This same model was applied in multiple states, growing First Step from a $2 million operation in 2013 to a $60 million operation today. “Because of Greg’s vision, compassion and determination, First Step Staffing puts 1600 of the most vulnerable population to work every single day. Greg wanted First Step to be the jobs solution for America’s homeless and we are determined to make that happen in his honor.” said Joe Guerra, a long-time friend of Greg’s, founding board member and Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Step, Los Angeles.
“Greg was a tremendous ally to individuals suffering chronic homelessness. He understood the importance of empowering these individuals to transform their lives and pushed every single day to make sure First Step Staffing provided them with the resources and support to do just that” said Mick Cochran, Chairman of the Atlanta First Step Board of Directors “He is greatly missed by everyone who worked with him, and particularly those of us who had the honor of calling him a friend.”
For more information, contact Kellie Brownlow, VP, Community Relations & Development, at 404-374-3130 or [email protected].