Week 12 - End of this Road, but the Journey Continues

The Trip

I may have mentioned in an earlier post that when I signed up as a volunteer for this program, I initially thought that I would play the role of an invisible fly on the wall; here to observe program participants and report on the Going Places Network by Walmart program in its first installment in Hudson County, NJ.

I immediately realized from the very first session that I was mistaken.  I discovered right away that there was much for ME to learn as well.

The clients are amazing.  Their insights about life are revealing and their passion to move forward and build better lives for themselves and their families is inspiring.

This week marked the last week for this particular group and in review of such a huge milestone for many of the women, program coordinator, Linda Street, asked the women to offer some feedback about their goal progress and what they would take away most from this program. Here are a few soundbites from our very last session:

Words from Your Fellow Travelers
"I am sorry that the program is over, but I feel that this experience has helped me a lot"
"I found a nursing school right next to my house"
"I've started school"
"I graduate from school this month"
"The mock interviews gave me more confidence"
"I have an interview today!"

Your Guide

And speaking of interviews...this week's guest speaker, Abby Kohut aka Absolutely Abby, gave us the "inside scoop" on what recruiters, head hunters and potential employers are really looking for when trying to fill positions.  Her insight in regards to Linkedin profile strategies was even eye-opening to a "know-it-all" like myself.  I made dramatic changes to my own profile as soon as I returned home. As an added bonus, Abby also gave us all free copies of her book Top 12 Interview Questions Exposed.  It's a quick read, but incredible resource that puts one right into the mind of the interviewer.  I highly recommend it!  Check out Abby in the video below:

Lastly...

I want to thank Dress for Success Hudson County for giving me the opportunity to sit in with these wonderful women in the Going Places by Walmart program.  I have made new friends and valuable contacts.  Hopefully my time and input has been helpful to at least one person because quite honestly I have been inspired by every participant in the group.

Thanks also goes to Cristina Nieves, my fellow blogger, who has filled in on those weeks I could not attend and last but not least a big 'ole hug and squeeze for Linda Street for pulling me to the side that lovely Spring day in the hair salon to ask the simple question "What do you do?"

Week 11 - A Rest Stop

The Trip

The energy in the room was filled with expectation, wonder, sadness, curiosity and presence.  How do I know this?

As a group, we were instructed to breath, relax and remain quiet for a moment. An invisible cloud seemed to rise above us and from us. This cloud was was a "pressure system" filled with everything all of us were feeling when we awoke that morning and brought with us to this next to last session.

Our guests for this week's session were Miranda and Lissette from Heaven on Earth Associates. This session was like none other because we had the chance to remove ourselves from the stress and fatigue of everyday life and transfer that energy to a more spiritual connection with our fellow travelers in the program.

Miranda, led us in a brief meditation session and as a result, we were able to clearly vocalize the feelings we had buried that morning.

It was amazing!

Your Guide

Heaven on Earth Associates' mission "to educate & connect people to their rightful self through the healing power of massage therapy/bodywork" became apparent as both Miranda and Lissette told us the stories of their journey, struggles and chance encounters which culminated in the achievement of their dreams as massage therapists and healers.

They asked us to believe in ourselves and to believe that we could do anything if we just visualize it. Visualization is the practice of seeing oneself (drawing a mental picture) in the position or situation that is desired.
The ladies were treated to wonderful chair massages that provided an even more relaxing element to the session.  I think quite a few are now hooked!

Words from Your Fellow Travelers

"I feel so relaxed"
"I should get this done more often"
"I don't usually reveal myself emotionally like this, but I feel glad that I did"