On September 27, WorkSource staff and partners visited the Water Resources Education Center in Vancouver, WA for a day of team building and learning.
Led by One-Stop Operator Barbara Burkart, we discovered new ways to approach the work we do, connect with each other, and have fun doing it!
We started the day by breaking off into groups—practicing gratitude, as we discussed what we loved about our roles. Together, we reflected on the rich outcomes of our work—not just for those we help, but for ourselves too.
But it was presenter Ty Reed who proved to be the day’s highlight. His lively presentation on the challenges justice-impacted job seekers face held the entire audience in rapt attention. Reed sang, joked, and engaged the room of nearly ninety employment development professionals with thought-provoking data and insights from lived experience.
One of our goals at WorkSource is to help all job seekers, no matter their past. Reaching these job seekers and educating ourselves on impactful methods to help them continues to be a challenge. After Reed’s seminar though, our group felt empowered to aid in the re-entry of justice-impacted individuals.
After lunch, we broke into groups to switch our perspectives. What were some of our greatest challenges and barriers to finding a job?
Pulling from our own experiences, we found that we struggled with many of the same aspects of job search as our customers. This exercise helped us recognize and empathize with the difficult position many WorkSource customers are in. Being unemployed is scary. Finding work is hard. But by analyzing our past, we’re better able to help our customers define their futures.
WorkSource and our partners are dedicated to the continual improvement of our local economy, as well as ourselves in service of that goal. Professional development is a necessary part of our continued growth to meet job seekers where they’re at. And accordingly, we left the beautiful room at the Water Resources Education Center closer as a team, reinvigorated and eager to change lives.
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