Realizing her worth: Tiffany’s story

After battling a drug addiction that led to unemployment, homelessness, and eventually imprisonment, Tiffany was looking for a fresh start as she completed rehab and got sober. She found PA Organization for Women in Early Recovery (POWER), a local organization that helps women build a strong foundation to sustain their recovery.
 
“Once I got connected with POWER, I knew I would need to find a job, but I just didn’t know where to start,” Tiffany explained. “This was a new beginning for me.”
 
PA Women Work partners with POWER to offer its GROW program, which supports job seekers in overcoming their unique barriers to obtaining employment. GROW is a trauma-informed course that meets each job seeker where they are in their journey and helps them address their individual challenges; create a new resume; realize their strengths; and ultimately connect them with a job at which they can succeed.
 
Tiffany knew GROW could help her get back on her feet. She participated in the program in January 2021. “PA Women Work helped me expand my resume, and the class allowed me to really focus on myself,” Tiffany said. “I had shunned away from applying for certain jobs, but this class helped me build confidence and see my worth.”
 
During GROW, Tiffany identified job opportunities that fit her needs and set attainable goals for herself. She learned how to respond to tough questions about her incarceration during interviews and developed skills to present herself more professionally. After just a couple of months job hunting, Tiffany found a job and is moving into a new apartment in just a few weeks.
 
“This job is great for me right now. I like it a lot,” Tiffany said. “As women, we beat ourselves down, but we are all worth so much more. GROW is a great opportunity for women who are looking to start their life again.”
 
To learn more about GROW, contact Susan Showalter-Bucher, deputy director, PA Women Work, at [email protected].
 
*The client’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

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