LATINO EMPLOYMENT CONNECTION
Provides counseling, training and individualized job placement opportunities to people with physical disabilities who speak Spanish or limited English.
Elena, a fifty-year-old monolingual Spanish-speaking Latina woman came to WCIL and found not only a job, but also the ideal job for someone with her skills. With no prior work history other than years of domestic work, Elena had found it very difficult to obtain a different job.
With the guidance, support and job development training of the LEC Job Developer she began to gain confidence. She attended job fairs and positive recruitment events and applied for housekeeping, laundry attendant, kitchen helper and companion positions. The LEC Job Developer assisted the consumer with the application processes. However with her limited prior work history, it seemed that employers weren't interested. The JD decided to contact the employers to schedule interviews. Most companies today ask applicants to fax their résumés or fill out applications before they can schedule interviews. This makes it very difficult for applicants like Elena to get jobs. In February of 2005 the consumer's husband was laid off. With this amount of pressure the JD decided to make visits to companies without prearranged appointments. Both the JD and the consumer began to visit several companies that hire companions for the elderly. After just a few contacts a company that serves the Latino community was interested in the consumer.
The LEC JD knew that the majority of companies that hire companions require that the applicants have Basic English skills. Elena was thrilled when the JD found a company that didn't have this requirement. The LEC JD assisted the consumer with the application process and was able to meet with the employer prior to the interview. After the interview, reference check and finger print clearance, Elena was hired as a companion. She now works with three elderly women providing companionship and light household chores. She's working thirty hours per week and will be eligible for medical benefits after 90 days and is now guaranteed the security of getting a paycheck every week. She is quite happy and, equally important, is making others happy with her services.
