Workforce Challenge

Leanne Tilton had not worked in corporate America in years. Like many people, she decided that caring for her aging parents was more important. However, circumstances changed and she needed to find work. She tried for an entire year on her own to find employment, but she never heard back from any employers. “It’s so different when you look for jobs on the net. You just can’t walk into a place and hand them a resume,” said Mrs. Tilton.

Workforce Solution

Unemployed and frustrated, she started to lose confidence in herself. But things were about to change. She was watching the news on WBAL-TV, and they were interviewing Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake about Baltimore City’s new Community Job Hubs. She remembers the mayor saying the city’s One Stop Career Centers were reaching out to partner with communities across the city to help residents get connected to employment services right in their neighborhoods. The next day she said she logged on to her computer and researched the closest job hub to her home. She went to the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) in Northeast Baltimore. Technology Trainer Carolyn Watford was able to help her become better prepared for the workplace.

Outcomes & Benefits

“They worked with me [to prepare for interviews and were just so kind and compassionate and very, very patient with me," Mrs. Tilton said. She successfully completed her computer training in Microsoft Office applications and received a certificate of completion for each course. In February 2013 she became employed as an office assistant at Community Ice Company. Her duties consist of clerical work, accounting work using QuickBooks, and closing payroll. She loves her job and is thankful for it.