Making a Comeback
Allison Clark saw a sign at church, a sign for the Center for Senior Employment on the bulletin board. Allison was a teacher for 30 years in Special Education. When her parents became ill and could no longer take care of themselves she went to live with them and help them through this trying time. When she tried to return to work after only a few years, everything had changed. Computers were in use in all of the programs for education, and Clark had no experience with this new technology.
When she approached the Center, Allison knew that she had to learn more about technology. She also knew that she possessed the skills needed to be a home care provider. She took an ROP (Regional Occupational Program: high quality and relevant career technical education and support services, which develop job specific skills, knowledge and attitudes), which started in a high school. Allison was in her 60s. “There were a lot of young people and I struggled at first,” she said. But everyone was helpful, “I felt as if I was moving forward.”
She was placed as a volunteer at a local city school doing filing. They loved her, she revamped their system and as long as she was free everything was good for them. But that didn’t help Clark’s need to find a paying job, although it did give her confidence and feelings of self worth.
Listen to Allison tell of how she came to discover that she has a lot to offer. She effectively articulates “Embrace what is happening and find people who can lift you up. Don’t let anybody keep you down. Turn the negative around.”
