August 2019
Client Spotlight
Lori's Journey Through WEN
My job search story began in July after I was downsized from my job after 20 years of service. What am I going to do now and how do I get started? It has been 20 years since I interviewed for a job and so much has changed!
I was told to sign up for unemployment right away for help and assistance with searching for a job. I was required to make 3 contacts a week and keep a log both electronically and on paper, fill out a form every week or call to report your contacts, attend a 4-hour meeting where a presentation was given about the services available to me at the unemployment office, and handed booklets with some business cards with contacts for the different services. I then started “job search round one” and put a resume together on my own with the Missouri unemployment website. I performed my search until the unemployment ran out. I was not getting any job offers and had just a few on-site interviews.
I found out that I qualified for the Trade Reform Act where I could get paid training in the field I choose. I attended this training after getting approval until I graduated in May 2019. Then “job search round two” started. Again, not much action on the job front was happening. I decided that my resume was not doing a good job representing me, my experience, and skills since I would submit applications but would only hear crickets. I was looking at Facebook and an advertisement came up about a WEN seminar on Monday, June 24 that would help with resumes and applying for jobs so I signed up for a free ticket to reserve my spot.
On Monday, June 24, I drove downtown to WEN from the Northland arriving 10 minutes before the start time and got my parking validated (I so very much appreciated this since money was beginning to be tight by this time) and was ushered into a room with the other attendees. At this point, I found out that WEN was a five-week program that would help you with SO MUCH MORE than just your resume and applying for jobs! Why has this program not been mentioned before by anyone during my initial job search and that it is completely FREE? I could have been so much more focused about my next steps, setting attainable goals, feeling confident and positive about the changes in my life, and had complete strangers’ support, and new friends for the rest of my life!
My experience with WEN has given me a positive perspective on my personal feelings, situation, and future. I found out that I was not alone, my situation was not uncommon, and there was a sisterhood of support coming my way to help rescue me and get me back on solid ground. They helped me to figure out that I needed to set goals and it is okay that they might be small goals to get me back on the road to ultimately getting my “survival job,” next opportunity, or dream job. Wow, I had choices - who knew!
Another mind-bender: there were people you didn’t even know that cared and wanted to help you succeed. I feel I have a sisterhood and network of supporters that will be there forever and whenever, they are just a phone call or email away. Here is another thing I learned at WEN: interviewing is just like dating! In interviews, you need to figure out if you want to work there too. Ask questions to figure out if YOU are going to be happy at the place you will spend at least 8 hours a day until you find something better or retire. Then when you think there can’t be more… BAM! They wrap it up and bring it all together and you realize you have just been given the best tools and skills to face and conquer the world again.
At WEN, my journey has made me realize I still had feelings pushed down deep inside that I needed to bring to the surface and replace with positivity. I need to replenish my confidence in myself, and I am capable of doing whatever I set my mind to do!
Donor Spotlight
US Bank Market Impact Fund
WEN received an incredibly generous $50,000 grant from US Bank as a part of their new annual $1 million Market Impact Fund that supports organizations focused on economic development in the areas of workforce preparation, affordable housing, and arts and culture. #CommunityPossible
Thank you to Arlene Mockapetris and Marcos Hernadez for presenting us with the grant check in July!
Upcoming Events
Program Informational Session | Monday, September 16 | 9:00am-12:00pm
Attend a program informational session to find out why WEN is right for you!
Sign up online or contact us today at 816-822-8083.
Fall KC Job Fair | Tuesday, October 8 | 1:00-4:00pm
Sheraton Crown Center
For more information, to register as an employer, or become a sponsor, please call 816-595-1299 or email Ashley Williamson.
9th Annual KC's Got Talent | Thursday, November 14 | 6:00-9:00pm
Boulevard Brewing Company
Do you know someone who's got talent? We only have room for 10 acts and 16 sponsors, so contact us today to reserve your spot! For more information, head to our website or contact Erin Cole at 816-595-1297.
Thank you to our current sponsors:
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City
- Boulevard Brewing Company
- CrossFirst Bank
- Happy Food Co.
- Katie's Catering
- ... and YOU! Contact us today to sponsor this great event!
Women's Health Spotlight
Provided in partnership with
For upcoming Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) program dates, click here!
Back to School - Building Nutritious Kids Meals
The end of August marks the return of kids back to school. Providing a nutritious breakfast, lunch and snack is important for helping kids maintain focus while in school. Saint Luke’s Food as Medicine Everyday (FAME) series provides an entire class focused on strategies to include nutritious lunches and snacks into a daily routine, for both adults and kids.
- Eat a Filling Breakfast – Fill breakfast with foods full of fat, fiber and protein. Foods like eggs, unsweetened yogurt, oats, whole fruits and vegetables, and nut butters are great foods that keep us feeling full longer, giving kids the energy they need to focus at school. Avoid sugary cereals, donuts, PopTarts and flavored yogurts which are will ultimately lead to a sugar crash before even getting to lunch.
- Meal Prep – Often we spend an entire day meal prepping our own lunches or dinners for the week. This is a perfect time to work on the kids’ lunches as well. Spend a little extra time making lunches ahead of time so you can build more nutritious meals and save you the hassle in the morning. Make a large batch of things like mini-burritos, turkey roll-ups, chicken bites or whole-grain sandwiches.
- Get the Kids Involved – While meal prepping, get the kids involved and let them choose what to include in the lunch. By choosing the foods themselves, they will be more likely to eat and enjoy the lunch. This does not mean they get to fill a lunch with instant mac & cheese and cookies. Provide three nutritious options like apple slices, grapes and blueberries and let them choose among those.
Healthy Recipe of the Month: Turkey Avocado Roll-Up
This Turkey Avocado Roll-Up is a simple and quick lunch or snack option for adults and kids alike. Consider wrapping the turkey, veggies and hummus in a collard green or whole-wheat wrap for more substance.
Servings: 8 roll-ups
Ingredients:
- 8 slices of turkey
- ½ cup hummus
- 1 cup baby spinach
- 1 medium avocado, thinly sliced
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 carrot, julienned
Directions:
- Spread a spoonful of hummus on a slice of turkey.
- Lay a few pieces of spinach flat on the hummus.
- Place a couple pieces of avocado, cucumber, and carrot at one end of the turkey slice and roll it up.
- Use a toothpick to hold the roll together, if needed.