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Caprice Scott: Positive Attitude, Positive Results

1/21/2015

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Just one month after buying a house, I was unexpectedly laid off. I had been in my position for over 10 years, working as a social worker, job developer, and youth counselor. I was shocked, but I knew that many nonprofits were losing funding. That meant that my networking connections were also laying people off.

As I signed up for unemployment and applied to several jobs, I struggled with depression. Looking for a job takes a toll on you, and when no one is hiring, the toll is even greater. Still, I didn’t want to stand still; I wanted to do something productive. I had a mortgage, I had a child, I had other responsibilities. My bills still needed to be paid.

In the midst of trying to figure out my next move, one of my girlfriends referred me to PA Women Work. She had graduated from New Choices, and she thought the program would help me.

As a job developer, I already knew a lot about career development, but I went in to New Choices with a positive attitude, ready to learn. Through the program, I realized I wasn’t alone; there were others like me, and we could help each other. I brushed up on my skills, and I took time to consider my future: Where did I want to be? What was I going to do about it?

Through New Choices, I obtained a temporary position at UPMC. While grateful for the position, my heart was still in working with youth and social services. I kept working towards this goal, and eventually, I was hired at Jeremiah’s Place. Now I’m working with kids, I’m doing what I’m good at, and my job brings a smile to my face.

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Roberta Duff: Skills & Success

1/21/2015

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I don’t consider myself the “typical” New Choices candidate. I hold a Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership, and I was working towards a PhD. I worked for the federal government for 24 years, the latter 12 in human resources. I had the education, and I had full-time work. Had.

I was working in New Mexico in a high-stakes, high-stress job. I was managing, but I wasn’t happy. Eventually, I chose to leave my job and return to Pittsburgh to help my 93-year-old mother.

I arrived in Pittsburgh with no job and no prospects. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in human resources or transition to a new career. One day, my mother saw an article about New Choices in the newspaper. She handed it to me and said, “You don’t have a job, you don’t have anywhere to be; go to this.” At 93, you don’t mince words.

I had a toolbox filled with my skills and experiences, but I needed to know how to use them. I wanted to know: How many different ways could I recreate myself? Which tools did I need to improve and which could I repurpose? New Choices helped me answer these questions. I learned about the private sector, I learned how I could transfer my skills to different careers, and I improved my computer skills.

Today, I work as an Administrative Services Assistant for the U.S. Attorney’s office. I am confident and I am happy. I thank PA Women Work for helping me make this change. I tell people: Time is like money: you can only spend it once, so spend it wisely. New Choices is the best investment women can make in themselves. It is time well spent.


Roberta Duff was awarded a 2014 Woman of Courage award at our 2014 Circle of Hope gala.

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LaShaun Martin: From Homeless Vet to Working Homeowner

1/21/2015

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Did you know that Pennsylvania is experiencing one of the largest increases in homeless veterans of all 50 states?

Did you know that 75 percent of Pittsburgh’s poorest households are headed by single mothers?

When I fled from a domestic violence relationship last year, I embodied both of these statistics. I was an unemployed, homeless military veteran trying to provide for my two children. 

I have dedicated my life to serving my country and my community. I served in the U.S. Army for six years, including a tour of duty in Germany. After my honorable separation, I started a family and spent several years caring for my children and working part-time as a self-employed baker of natural and organic baked goods. In 2009, I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Services and began work as a social worker and substitute teacher. 

But when I found myself alone, three years out of the workforce, and no clear path in sight, I realized I was the one who needed help. The service I received from Pennsylvania Women Work literally transformed my life.

When I enrolled in the New Choices program, the PA Women Work staff arranged for child care for my children and transportation assistance. I would wake up at 6 a.m. to take the bus across town to drop off my children. I would then take another bus to the New Choices training site in another part of town to participate all day in career development and computer classes. I'd take a third bus back to pick up my children and then finally a fourth bus back home. My family would arrive home just in time for dinner, and then we’d go to bed to wake up and do it all again the next day. I believed in the process, and I made it to every single class.  

After New Choices, I continued into the 3 Cups of Coffee® mentoring program. My mentor worked closely with me to determine how my travel and military experiences translated into social work skills. She helped me identify my dream job and by our last meeting, I had acquired all the security clearances and documentation I needed to qualify.

Since beginning the program, I have acquired permanent housing and a great new job that will allow me to provide for my children. I could not have made such a stunning recovery toward securing housing and acquiring the readiness skills necessary to engage a highly competitive job market without Pennsylvania Women Work.

Pennsylvania Women Work serves women in desperate need of economic assistance. I’m proud to help them serve their mission, and I ask you to lend your aid as well. Please join me in making a donation today.
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Tamika Duck: Finding Balance

1/21/2015

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PictureTamika Duck was awarded with the 2014 Woman of Courage award at our 2014 Circle of Hope gala.
Prior to starting New Choices I was a work-from-home mom supporting my two young children, Tamya and Trevell. I had two degrees, including a Master’s in Sports Management, but I was recently divorced and could no longer justify the long hours my position required. I knew I needed to make a career transition, but I didn’t know how to identify my options.

I attended a job fair sponsored by PNC Bank and while there, I saw the flyer for New Choices. This program has made a big difference in my life! Through the classes, I received a lot of support and inspiration from both the instructor and my classmates. I am still in touch with many of them today. New Choices helped me identify healthcare as a field in which I had interest, transferable skills, and the ability to work a schedule that would let me balance earning a paycheck with caring for my children.

Upon graduating from New Choices, I enrolled in the Goodwill Employment Training Center’s Healthcare Office Skills program to learn medical terminology, patient billing, and to strengthen my typing skills. I also enrolled in PA Women Work’s 3 Cups of Coffee®. Networking through this mentorship program helped me to obtain my current full-time position as an Ancillary Coordinator for UPMC Health Plan.

The support I received through PA Women Work helped me make not only a great career transition, but a personal transformation as well.

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The official registration and financial information of Pennsylvania Women Work may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1 (800) 732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

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