A Good Day's Work

I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of our Care Coordinators, Mrs. Grey,  to talk about all the success that Mercy House has been having lately in finding employment for our neighbors. Over the last couple of weeks several of our neighbors have come looking for a job and asked us to help them in the process that can often seem intimidating and overwhelming. We are so pleased to share that several people have been successful in finding work and have already started. I was excited to hear about all these wonderful success stories.

I asked Mrs. Grey what are some of the circumstances that have helped Mercy House be able to find triumph in helping people overcome unemployment. She attributed these victories to identifying road block issues and then pursuing ways to eliminate them. First of all, looking for and applying for a job can be very stressful. You need to have access to a computer and internet to fill out an online application. You also must have at least primary computer skills to complete the job search and the paperwork. It is often hard to know just where to start.. Our Care Coordinators not only help our neighbors with the computer process but they also have great leads on who is currently looking for employees. We have been so blessed with the businesses that have contacted us saying that they are looking for workers. Mrs. Grey explained that a couple of businesses have waived their requirement for a high school diploma or a GED. They are looking for people that want to work and will make the most of this opportunity. They are willing to look past what our candidates can’t do and just focus on their desire to work and to work hard. “It has been so rewarding to see so many of our neighbors express a real heart to work”, Mrs. Grey shared. “They are anxious to be hired and start their job. And they are grateful for this chance that in the past they have not been offered.

Mrs. Grey also said that they coach their clients before their interview. They remind them to be early for the appointment, dress in the clean clothes that we provide and to present themselves in a professional manner. They make sure that our neighbors have a bus pass and that they know which bus to take and which bus stop to get off. And when they come back to Mercy House to let us know that they got the job, the look on their face is worth everything. The next step is explaining what a W-2 form is and how to fill it out. Employers are also helping employees that don’t have a bank account get a special debit card so that they can get their paycheck directly deposited.  Mrs. Grey explained that getting a job can be contagious. Once one of our neighbors starts working, it makes it seem achievable for others and they too want to start the process. “A paycheck is a big motivator in helping people keep their job”, Mrs. Gray shared. They see what they can accomplish through hard work and that is a big encouragement to keep working. 

2 Chronicles 15:7 tells us “But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.” I believe that as long as we continue to walk through these processes with our neighbors, lending them our strength and positive attitude, they will continue to amaze themselves with what they can accomplish. God rewards hard work. We are humbled to have a front row seat to see all the blessings that will come their way.

God Bless,

Pastor Ken Austin