Job seeker: Jamie Cavin

Jamie has student work study experience as a barista where he took orders, made and served coffee drinks, provided excellent customer service, and helped with clean up.

Jamie would like to find employment that entails working with his hands, organizing items, and/or working with the public. He has a penchant for organizing and enjoys repetitive, detailed hand work. “I would love to find a job in a warehouse doing detailed, production type work.”

Recently, Jamie has been working at Pearl Buck Center in the Production center where he has done pretty much everything, from running the CNC machine and cutting metal to packaging cereal and spices. He has shown that he is capable of being competitive, reliable, and a team player.

Jamie would make an awesome addition to any team where he could interact with the public, organize products, or produce detailed hand work. Possible job matches might include; car wash, small coffee cart, dry-cleaners, or warehouse. Maybe even as a shop clean-up assistant. With his wide range of skills and his willingness to learn new tasks, there are really very few limits to his abilities and interests in regards to work.

If you would like to put Jamie to work or know of someplace that would be interested in hiring Jamie, don’t hesitate in contacting his Job Developer via email at; lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com

Edit: Jamie has been working for Mattress Mania since September 2015. He is enjoying working making some extra money, getting some fresh air and interacting with his co-workers and being in the community.

Michael’s story: a graphic novel

Our community employment team is in the process of revamping our promotional materials. Here is the second brochure in a series of three. We know, we started in the middle – just like Star Wars,…this is going to be epic!

Let us know what you think in the comments. Enjoy!

~ “The Job Squad”

Job Seeker: Chris Steiner

Meet Chris Steiner.

This is a man who is clear on what he wants and why. And all Chris really wants to do is get a job so he can keep busy. “I don’t want to be lazy,” says Chris. “I want to keep busy and not get bored in the house,” he replies when asked why he wants to work.

Chris has worked as a janitor in a variety of different places over the years, including Pearl Buck Janitorial, Creswell Airport, Cottage Grove Community Sharing, Eugene Water treatment Plant and Goodwill.

Chris is seeking a part-time porter or light janitorial position. He can see himself working in a church or small office doing janitorial work. He enjoys cleaning and kidding around with people. In addition he likes gardening and riding his bike.

Chris is a “hard worker and very agreeable to be around,” says Kent Wilkerson, who has occasionally employed Chris for small yard jobs.

Following a task list with simple instructions works best for Chris and allows him to carry out his duties with ease and efficiency. He is very confident that he could tackle most cleaning jobs if given a chance.

If you can picture Chris working for you or know of someone who might benefit from his talents, please contact his job developer, Doris Steele, at doris.steele@pearlbuckcenter.com

Edit: Chris has been working with Garten Services as a custodian.

Job Seeker: Candace Hamilton

KEZI News: Expansion Project @ Pearl Buck Center

Meet Candace.

She is one our newest job seekers. Candace recently graduated from high school, and is currently participating in the 4J school district’s Community Living Program, where she is gaining work experience working at UO Hamilton Hall, performing, food & customer service duties. She has done everything from, food prep to cash handling. She has even stepped in to fill a supervisory role amongst her peers. Candace is excited to find her first paying job so she can venture out on her own and make her own way in life.

Candace dreams of someday attending cosmetology school, but until then she would like to work in a retail setting. Because Candace enjoys fashion she would like to find a job where she can help people make their apparel selections, or do some sort of retail job where she can be around people. Candace says that she really wants to be able to help people and make them happy. “I Just really like waiting on people and helping them, it’s fun.” She would also like to learn more about the customer service industry whether it is in clothing, food service or even in caregiving. Candace feels that finding work where she is serving others would be a great place to build her skills.

When Candace isn’t in her classes with CLP she enjoys spending time hanging out with her friends at the mall, getting her nails done or playing basketball.

If you can see Candace working for you or know of someone who could benefit from employing her, please contact her job developer, Lorie Polk, at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com .

Jobseeker: Kang Eui Hong

Meet Kang Eui Hong. Though still in his early 20’s, Kang Eui has done an impressive amount of work towards accomplishing some big goals, including learning a second language, completing five years of ABSE courses at LCC, and becoming a skilled pianist. And now, Kang Eui’s ready to write the story of his next success: finding part-time work.

By all accounts, Kang Eui’s already proven himself a hard worker. His instructor at LCC spoke highly of his meticulousness, and the skills he’s developed in English reading comprehension. And since 2004, Kang Eui has been building his work skills as a volunteer with his church’s concessions stand at Autzen stadium. His contributions have impressed his coworkers, and they’re happy to recommend him; one praised his energy, personality and work ethic, and another lauded his concentration, dedication, and will to achieve. We saw the same qualities during a recent month-long job trial at a local market, where Kang Eui learned to stock, clean, and serve customers to the employer’s standards. Based on our observations, we’re confident we can recommend Kang Eui as ready to work.

Kang Eui will thrive in a position that capitalizes on his natural talents–organization and neatness, physical strength, and a friendly, positive attitude. He and his job developer, Joshua, are presently seeking opportunities to consult with local businesses for advice on where Kang Eui’s skills might find a good fit. Interested in learning how you can help? Please contact Joshua via email, at joshua.gramley@pearlbuckcenter.com.

Jobseeker: Allen Quinn

Meet Allen Quinn. He is no stranger to work; in fact, Allen worked in the warehouse of Troutman’s Emporium department store for 8 years, until they went out of business. Since then, Allen has been very active in his children’s lives, and as a volunteer in his local community. He spent some time on the Board of Directors for the organization Big Brothers Big Sisters, and mentored youth as a big brother himself; he also tutored math and reading while his boys were attending school. Most recently, Allen has volunteered for the Thurston Boosters’ concessions stand during football and basketball seasons. Allen states that he loves, “interacting with people and volunteering my time and giving back to my community.”

Now that his children have grown up, Allen feels that it is time to move on and find work that is interesting, stimulating and utilizes his natural outgoing personality. He always tries to maintain a positive attitude and often encourages those around him to do so as well. “Having six older siblings, I learned quickly how to communicate effectively. I enjoy talking and interacting with people from different backgrounds and I’m not shy to start a conversation.”

Allen’s dream is to find work that involves driving, people and customer service. He hopes to find a place of employment where he is able to take part in a cooperative working atmosphere and be able to contribute to the workplace’s common goal.

When Allen isn’t out searching for work he enjoys playing board games with his family, walking his two dogs, riding his recumbent tricycle and attending UO duck games.

If you’re interested in learning more about Allen or considering how you can assist him with his job search, contact Lorie Polk, his job developer, at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com .

Video Resume: Dan Welty

Dan Welty has great personality, a strong work ethic, and a solid background of work experience (plus some serious line dancing skills!) He’s seeking a part-time job in driving or delivery, but as you’ll see in his video resume below, there’s plenty else he has to offer–especially to employers in the production, manufacturing or warehousing industries.

For more information about where we think Dan’s going to shine, consult with Tamathy Howald, his job developer. You can reach her by phone at 541-501-2639, or by email at tamathy.howald@pearlbuckcenter.com.

If you’d like to help Dan out with his job search, please share this video with anyone you think might want to see it!

Job developer profile: Doris Steele

This week’s post is authored by contributor Clayton Cone.

Doris Steele has worked as a job developer for the Pearl Buck Center for 26 years and as a job developer for a different employer for 16 to 17 years before that. She has former clients who have been working on their jobs continuously for as long as 8 years, 10 years, even 25 years. Over the course of her career, Doris has placed hundreds of clients in jobs.

One former client found his dream job at Valley Tool and Die in the Glenwood area. In high school he had had a shop class that he really liked, and he wanted to work in a machine shop. Doris found Valley Tool and Die, and the shop owner said he could give Doris’ client a try. Her client succeeded. The shop has a new owner, but her client is still there today, 25 years later.

Another former client also has been highly successful on the job. She started out as a part-time dishwasher at Fox Hollow Assisted Living, but the head of the kitchen there said that she had “too much potential” for that. The facility promoted her first to a server and then to a full-time caregiver at 10 hours a day, which is where she is now.

Doris says, “You need to be in the right place at the right time to get a job.” So she makes a lot of effort to get there, making contact with 30 to 50 businesses a week. She e-mails, talks with owners and human resource departments, sends letters and walks in on foot; and she uses the Internet to complete applications and search Web sites for jobs. She helps job seekers find work in Eugene and Springfield; and she has made an extra effort to help a Cottage Grove resident search for employment in her own home town, in an effort to avoid long and complicated bus transfers from Cottage Grove through Eugene.

Doris, who has completed 2 years of college education, enjoys hiking, gardening and spending time with her granddaughters, ages 15, 8 and 6.

Jobseeker profile: Traci Roberts

Meet Traci Roberts. Her dream is to work as a Certified Nurse’s Assistant. Helping people, she says, is what truly makes a job meaningful to her–and since many of her relatives are also caregivers, her career choice makes her feel closer to family, too.

While Traci pursues her CNA license, she’s eager for a chance to build relevant work experience in an entry-level position with a nursing home or care facility–for instance, as a dietary aide, or in housekeeping. She has no problem with working her way up, she says, and based on her performance during the 8 years she was in her previous position at Fred Meyer, we have no doubt she has the work ethic to do so; from pushing carts in the snow to creating special craft projects for kids in the play area, Traci has a long history of going above and beyond. And she’s also demonstrated great service; as one example, she described getting to know regular customers who need help with carrying out groceries, so she could be available for them as soon as they finished checking out.

Beyond working in long-term care, Traci says she’d also be happy to work with children, perhaps as a teacher’s aide. Her ideal job would be about 20 hours a week, and since she drives, she can work anywhere in the Eugene area. To the skills described above, Traci adds that she’s dependable and well-organized. Outside of work, Traci loves swimming, hiking, movies, going to the spa, visiting the coast, and coupon shopping.

If you’re interested in learning more about Traci or exploring how you can help with her job search, contact Lorie Polk, her job developer, at lorie.polk@pearlbuckcenter.com.

Have you seen this bus?

Togo’s, one of our community employment partners, recently wrapped an LTD bus to spread the word about their subs…and Pearl Buck! It’s a little tough to see here, but across the very top of the advertisement, it says, “Proudly supports Pearl Buck’s work program”. We’re thrilled by the mention, and having seen the bus in person, I can report that it looks just great.

Our relationship with Togo’s has been a great success story for both of us; to learn more, check out our post from February 12.