Our Employment and Benefits Counselors work with people to maximize their available benefits (e.g. SSI, SSDI, TA, etc.) and work incentives, plan goals, boost their employability, find and secure jobs, and provide them with extra support as they work.
Entering or returning to the workforce is a process that people can slide into at different points. Some people are looking to get “work ready” by exploring their interests and how they fit into the workforce, developing basic skills (non-job specific), or increasing their hands-on experience through volunteer or internship opportunities.
Others are ready to start looking for jobs and need customized help creating resumes, writing cover letters, applying for jobs, or practicing interviews. And some people are already working and are looking for help learning new job tasks, or improving relationships with co-workers or supervisors.
“I met (peer advocate) Zach in Mid Hudson Regional Hospital. I was discharged back home to my mom. He gave me his card and during the interview, we talked about how I am in and out of jobs, how I can’t handle keeping a job. I figured it would be good to have a mentor, and to have a support person to call whenever I am feeling down. I thought maybe he could help me find friends within the community that I can talk to.
“For me, it’s all about the structure and just learning to take care of ourselves first. Everything else comes second.”—Nelson
