When we fall into hard times, barriers to employment can persist even after we’ve come out the other side.
This was the case for Laura, a WorkSource customer who recently earned her bachelor’s degree in social services but was still struggling to find employment due to her history of substance abuse disorder, even though she’d been in recovery for several years.
Laura’s Employment Specialist came up with a personalized plan to help her put her degree to use and become job ready. This included a resume review to make sure that Laura was putting her best foot forward, as well as workshops to boost her soft skills.
But a new job couldn’t come fast enough, because Laura was facing homelessness, a common struggle for many job seekers with barriers to returning to work. But because of the wide range of partnerships we have with community organizations, WorkSource was able to refer her to housing resources where she could access rent assistance. In addition, another program was able to pay her $1,000 per month while she worked towards achieving her career goals.
Childcare was also an issue for Laura, as it’s hard to look for work while also caring for children. But luckily for Laura, her Employment Specialist was able to find her childcare options as well.
This is one of the reasons why working with our community partners is so important. While WorkSource can help someone get back to work, one person’s barriers may be multi-faceted. That’s why we work closely with a wide network of community partners who can provide a variety of assistance.
With these barriers removed, Laura was able to secure a position as a Vocational Specialist at a local community organization, where she’ll be helping job seekers much like herself!
But WorkSource’s support didn’t end there. Finding a job is one thing, but keeping one is another. After Laura was hired, WorkSource was also able to pay for a new set of tires and provide gas assistance so she could get to her new job consistently and safely.
Congratulations to Laura for her determination and strength during a challenging time!
If you’re looking to return to work or advance in your work, find out how WorkSource can help. Call your local center to set up an appointment with an Employment Specialist today.
WorkSource is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service 711.
This program receives support and funding from a U.S. Department of Labor grant(s) provided through Workforce Southwest Washington. Read more about WSW federal funding at WSW Funding Disclosures: https://workforcesw.org/federal-funding-disclosure
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