Visions
Visions is a SonomaWORKs Post- Employment Services program available to recent or current TANF/AFDC families. Visions is a voluntary program that provides clients opportunities to grow while working. The program provides individualized coaching to develop and attain individual, career goals; referral to community resources; informative workshops; and computer training.
Client Profile
Liz moved from Washington to escape an abusive relationship and to care for her ailing parents here in Sonoma County . Her parents died within a few months of each other and Liz slipped into a very serious depression, gradually becoming more and more marginalized. She developed a substance abuse problem and suffered from serious anxiety attacks. By now, she was unable to support a young son. As a SonomaWORKs client, Liz was referred to counseling and substance abuse classes. She had taken the first steps to recovery.
Liz completed Goodwill Industries' Initial Job Search in early 2003 without a job. Although she had a pretty solid work history from Washington 's manufacturing industry, she lacked the requisite skills for many of the job opportunities available in Sonoma County .
Returning to Other Job Search in Fall 2003, Liz got employed as a seasonal cashier at Toys-R-Us. Liz signed up for our Post-Employment Services program (PES) in October of 2003. After the holidays, when most seasonal employees were laid off, Liz was retained as a part time Sales Associate. While her hours vary from 11-35 hours each week and the job offers no benefits, Liz has demonstrated excellent employee qualities and the job has proven to be a great boost to her confidence.
As a Post-Employment Services (PES) client, Liz has taken full advantage of the Thursday night Computer Lab Workshops to develop new skills. She has learned word processing, Excel and data entry to expand her skills for Shipping and Receiving jobs. She has also met with her PES counselor weekly to discuss workplace issues, develop a career plan, create a new resume and practice her interviewing skills. She is currently interested in taking a one-day forklift certification course offered at SRJC and she is hoping to take the course soon through a referral to Job Link.
Her part time, entry-level job has raised her self-esteem and her confidence in the workplace. It has given Liz the opportunity to test her ability to work. She now feels she will be ready to search for a full time job in the shipping and receiving industry in the near future.
As a PES client, Liz's future is taking flight as she moves towards a career of her own making and a future that will support her emerging goals.
