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Community Work Services can point with pride to
any number of program participants who have benefited from both
the help and guidance they’ve received from CWS and from their own
willfulness and determination to create successful lives. We are
delighted to share some of their stories with you.
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As a single
mother of four children ranging in age from six to 16,
Sonia Rivera has moved from unemployment and homelessness
to a new career as a housing counselor, helping others
find permanent housing.
Sonia came to CWS with the intention of working in the hotel |
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and hospitality industry. She enrolled in the At Your Service
Program. A star student in the program, she also volunteered
in her time off at Housing Families Shelter, where she
performed much-needed Spanish translation services for the
residents and staff. In November 2006, the staff at Housing
Families Shelter was so impressed with Sonia and her
willingness to help others that they recommended her to CAPIC
Inc. for a housing counselor position. It turned out that she
was a great match for the position, and she was hired shortly
after her interview.
Once she was offered the position, Sonia, who was still living
in a shelter at the time, was required to find permanent
housing or risk losing the position. Although she was quickly
able to find an apartment large enough for herself and her
children, she struggled with the finances needed for deposits
and furnishings. With the help of her case manager, Sonia made
a request for the resources she needed to secure her housing.
CWS was able to offer Sonia the support she needed through a
grant from the Anna B. Stearns Charitable Foundation, Inc. |
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