[Community-Service] Every Story Matters!

[Maggie Stringer]

We are keeping on, and keeping on with recognizing National Novel Writing
month!



Without further ado, the second piece written by

Veronica Alston,



Removed To Make Moves

It was a Wednesday morning, September 6th 2017 to be exactly what started
off as a typical day. As soon as I arrived at my former place of employment
where I worked for 13 years. I was told by my supervisor that the Program
Director wanted to see me about some required in-services I needed to take.
I thought it was a bit strange because usually the supervisor is the one
who is responsible for notifying staff about maintaining proper procedures
and guidelines for the agency.

My visit to the Program Director’s office was not at all what I expected. I
was given a pink slip and was told that my position would no longer be
available due to budget cuts. “If things change at the start of the new
fiscal year, we’ll be glad to call you back”. It sounded like a bunch of
malarkey… on top of that, I didn’t even think to have that put in writing.
So, there I was, no job, not much knowledge of using a computer and no clue
how to search for a job. I became overwhelmed with creating accounts with
LinkedIn, Indeed and ZipRecruiter. I eventually signed up with an agency
that helped individuals who are blind and visually impaired find employment.

I was unsuccessful in obtaining employment between the time I was laid off
until Covid 19 came and disrupted the normalcy of our lives. I received a
call from the agency during the shutdown letting me know not only were
things being put on hold but they would no longer be providing services for
finding employment. Since remote jobs became more plentiful during the
pandemic, I was able to find a summer employment position as a Community
relations Specialist working with homeless youth. While in this position I
was able to enhance my computer skills as well as learn to collaborate with
local businesses and youth serving agencies. The Director wanted to hire me
beyond the summer but did not have the additional funding. Around that same
time, I started volunteering with the New Lifestyles Transitional Housing
for Women. I became the Assistant Platform Manager for the New Lifestyles
Empowerment Virtual Lounge which still exists today even though Covid
restrictions have been lifted.

In February of 2021 I took an eight-month virtual training through the
Community Foundation for Greater New Haven that teaches how to start a
nonprofit organization. I did some soul searching and decided that my
passion is working with women and children who are in need of community
resources instrumental in fostering maturity, growth and stability. the
name of my nonprofit organization (Opportunity for Growth).   My first
pilot project was in August of 2021 hosting a community event for teen moms
and their babies. I then did a Teen Parent Expo in April of 2022 to help
teen parents become aware of resources that promote physical, mental and
emotional well-being.

I’m currently hosting community events for women and children.

So… what have I learned over the last five years? Well… now I look at
change as being a necessary ingredient for building strength, perseverance
and creativity. I can now look at my former job of 13 years as a hindrance.
Yes, I was comfortable at the time doing what I had to do but not what I
needed to do. I had to be removed in order to make moves.

I’m unemployed right now but trust and believe I do have a job! I’m going
to continue to strengthen my nonprofit organization to help make a
difference in the lives of others and keep serving with a smile.



Thank you, Veronica!

Who’s next?

You already know the topic, COMMUNITY SERVICE!

Write a short or long piece, it can be fictional or non. Just make it your
own!

You write it, and we’ll share it!

#COMMUNITYSERVICE
#NOVELWRITINGMONTH

Maggie Stringer
Phone: (443) 750-0070
Email: ravensfan784 at gmail.com
Community Service Facebook Page
<https://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision/>
“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."
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