Beth’s Story: A Personalized Path to Success

INTERFAITH SERVICES GUIDE VOLUNTEER THROUGH CAREER TRANSITION

Plymouth resident Beth* has traveled a unique client journey: She first came to Interfaith as a volunteer.

“I was looking for a place to volunteer and I saw this whole wall (of flyers and brochures) filled with resources that were here. I saw a resource for the computers, and so I made an appointment to support me during a job transition.” Beth hoped to build computer skills to help her find a new job or start her own business – and a new chapter in life.

“One of the challenges was to find somebody that could work with me regarding Excel,” she explains. Interfaith’s computer lab and skills training classes are available to clients through its Employment Services (ES), which also provides employment coaching, connections to local employment and training, resume/cover letter assistance and more. The personalized assistance from ES staff member Tim Welshons turned out to be the type of support Beth needed: Together they discovered software and tools to maximize her skills. Beth lauds the organization’s ability to address a wide range of client needs, likening it to “a tree and all of its branches.”

“If you go to just one place to get help, you will want to go to IOCP,” Beth states. “In one place you have access to food, clothing, housing, resources for training, counseling services and so much more. It’s really mind-boggling to me personally what all happens here,” she says. Since becoming a staff member in December 2022, Tim, who has been a resident of Plymouth for more than three decades, recognizes Interfaith’s breadth of services and programs as well. “The tree of services is amazing. It’s astounding.” Beth’s adventure continues – as does her work with Tim, and her commitment to volunteering. “It is a collaboration. It’s a really powerful place,” she says.

* Name has been changed to protect privacy