<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">We are keeping on, and keeping on with recognizing National Novel Writing month!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">Without
further ado, the second piece written by</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Veronica Alston,</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Removed To Make Moves</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">I’m currently hosting community events for women and
children.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:107%;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">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. </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">Thank you, </span>Veronica!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Who’s next?</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">You already
know the topic, COMMUNITY SERVICE!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">Write a short
or long piece, it can be fictional or non. Just make it your own!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 10pt;line-height:12.65pt;font-size:11pt;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span lang="EN">You write it,
and we’ll share it!</span></p><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">#COMMUNITYSERVICE<br></div><div dir="ltr">#NOVELWRITINGMONTH</div><div dir="ltr"><br></div><div dir="ltr">Maggie Stringer <br>Phone: (443) 750-0070<br>Email: <a href="mailto:ravensfan784@gmail.com" target="_blank">ravensfan784@gmail.com</a><br><div><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CommunityServiceDivision/" target="_blank">Community Service Facebook Page</a><br></div><div>“The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra."<br><br></div></div></div></div></div>