Confidence, Community, Belonging: HIRED Makes A Difference

Lisa is 16 years old. She has endured abuse and neglect. Her self-esteem was nearly non-existent, she was an outcast in her foster home, and she felt she had little or no value. But a referral to HIRED’s Fostering Lives program gave her the sliver of hope and support she needed.

“From the moment I met with Lisa, I was impressed with what a kind and endearing young lady she is,” said Dawn Hall, Lisa’s HIRED job counselor. “Lisa has experience in child care, and told me that she enjoyed being around children. We spent time talking about what it would take for a career in child care, and together we decided to pursue that avenue.”

Hall worked with Lisa to fill out job applications, and they conducted multiple practice interviews. They spent time talking about Lisa’s goals, they found ways to help the painfully shy girl improve her confidence, make eye-contact, and learn to speak up. Together, Hall and Lisa compiled a resume and even chose appropriate job-search and interview clothing.

Lisa accepted an 8-week internship with Minneapolis child development center working as a child-care assistant with five- and six-year-olds. Funding through HIRED’s Fostering Lives Program provided Lisa with a modest paycheck. Lisa was prompt to her shifts, and her work habits and a can-do attitude made her an “exemplary employee,” helping her land a part-time job at another daycare center. Days after accepting that position, the organization with whom she had interned called again and offered Lisa some additional part-time work. She accepted.

“I’m happy,” says Lisa with a smile. “I love the kids I work with, and my boss and coworkers really treat me like an equal. Sometimes part of my job is hard and makes me step outside my comfort zone, but I work through those times.”

“Lisa is an inspiration to me,” says Hall. “She worked so hard, and these opportunities are so good for her in so many ways.”

For more information on HIRED’s Fostering Lives Program, visit www.HIRED.org or e-mail Dawn Hall.

Location, Location, Location!

With more than 15 metro-area locations, HIRED offers clients easy access to the resources they need to take the next step in their job-search process. From the main office in North Minneapolis to locations in Burnsville, Hopkins, Bloomington, St. Paul and Woodbury – and with partner sites in schools and other community sites throughout the Twin Cities – HIRED takes great pride in having locations in many of the areas it serves.

For a complete list of HIRED’s locations, or to view the locations on a Twin Cities map, click here.

Make a Difference in Your Community. Donate Today.

As the holiday season gets underway, many Twin Cities residents are planning their year-end gifts and contributions. As you consider your last-minute charitable dollars, please bear in mind the members of our Twin Cities community that are in need of a good job – a job that supports a family and provides stability.

Click here to learn more about the impact of your contribution to HIRED, or click the “Donate Now” button to make your gift. Your support of HIRED will truly make a difference in the life of a fellow Twin Cities resident. Thank you.

HIRED in the News

Over the course of the last month, HIRED has been featured in a handful of articles in the Star Tribune and Pioneer Press.

• Laura French wrote an article in the Star Tribune on Nov. 12, featuring interviews with three HIRED staff members and offering suggestions for securing seasonal holiday employment.
• When Pioneer Press Reporter Jennifer Bjorhus was looking for a way to humanize the current downturn in Minnesota’s employment outlook, she looked no further than HIRED client Melanie Gehrman. Melanie is a current HIRED client who, after being laid off from Andersen Windows, is pursuing education at Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts.
• This past Sunday’s Star Tribune featured an article detailing the new plastics manufacturing training program offered by HIRED and Hennepin Technical College. Based on the success of HIRED’s metalforming training program, the plastics manufacturing program is training job seekers for careers in an industry that is facing significant demand and growth.

To see the full text of the articles listed above, and to stay up-to-date on current news at HIRED, click here.

HIRED Works Goes On The Road!

In addition to the twice-monthly presentations at HIRED’s North Minneapolis location, the program will be “boxed” and transported to any and all locations starting in the new year. Partners, employers and other friends of HIRED who are interested in having this informative session brought to their location are encourage to contact Laura Vitelli by e-mail.

Additionally, HIRED Works will be offered each month at HIRED’s Griggs location in St. Paul. The first presentation will be Tuesday, Jan. 15 at 4:30 p.m. If you are interested in attending, contact Laura Vitelli.

For more about HIRED Works, click here.