Pilar,* a 50 year-old monolingual Spanish speaking Latina woman came to the Westside Center for Independent Living (WCIL) and found her ideal job.  She was referred to the Latino Employment Connection (LEC) program in August 2004. Pilar had no work history other than years of domestic labor and had found it very difficult to obtain a different job.  With the guidance, support and job development training of the LEC Job Developer she began to gain confidence.

Pilar attended job fairs and employment recruitment events and applied for housekeeping, laundry attendant, kitchen helper and companion positions. The LEC Job Developer assisted Pilar with the application process, however, considering her limited prior work history, most employers weren’t interested. The Job Developer decided to contact the employers to schedule interviews. Most companies today ask applicants to fax their résumés or fill out applications before they can schedule interviews. This process makes it very difficult for applicants like this consumer to get jobs.

In February 2005 Pilar’s husband was laid off.  In order to speed up the job placement process, the Job Developer decided to make visits to companies without pre-arranged appointments. Pilar and the Job Developer began to visit companies that hire companions for the elderly. After just a few contacts a companion company that serves the Latino community was interested in the consumer.

The Job Developer discovered that the majority of companies that hire companions require that the applicants have Basic English skills. Pilar was thrilled when she found a company that didn’t have this requirement. The Job Developer assisted the consumer with the application process and was able to meet with the employer prior to the interview. 

After the interview, reference check and finger print clearance, Pilar was hired as a companion.  She works with three elderly women providing companion and light household chores. 

Currently Pilar working thirty hours per week and will be eligible for medical benefits after 90 days and is now guaranteed the security of getting a paycheck every week.  She is quite happy and, equally important, is making others happy with her services.

*The name has been changed to respect the individual’s desire to stay anonymous.