As told by one of CMHA North and West Vancouver’s Case Managers at WorkBC.
As soon as Martha entered our office she radiated positivity and enthusiasm. She told me that she was just out of jail, clean and sober and wanted to be working within 3 months.
She had big plans for herself and requested short-term training to help upgrade her computer skills so she was more employable. She stated, “I want it all and I’m willing to work for it.”
Every week Martha participated in drug and alcohol counselling to maintain her sobriety. Additionally she started attending school twice a week. She whizzed through the first computer courses and added additional ones which the trainer and Martha considered helpful.
Martha’s optimism was well placed because she had secured a job before she even finished her computer training by networking in the elevator at the training centre.
When Martha came in to sign an employment confirmation form she said, “It’s all due to you guys.“ She and I disagreed about that and finally she conceded, “Ok it’s a combo deal. I do my part and you do yours and it just works.”
Martha has come by the office on a few occasions since gaining employment to bring in various newspaper clippings and ads for community resources which she thought might be helpful for other clients.
Her motto these days is, “When I’m on the right path – everything just falls into place.”
Learn more about our WorkBC employment services.