Applicant Spotlights 2021
For 40 years, Jubilee Jobs has been filled with gratitude to all of you for the support you have generously given us. Your faith in Jubilee Jobs has allowed our applicants to find work for sustenance, dignity, and hope. As the New year unfolds before us, we look at our determined applicants who inspire us every day and we celebrate them by sharing their stories. We also celebrate each and every one of you, and with you joy and blessings during the holidays and in the New Year.
Meet Rondail Thompson
Rondail is a prime example of accepting where you are and not giving up. Having applied to a Landscaping Trainee position at Melwood, his application was delayed due to the difficult hiring process. Following through and not being deterred, Rondail was finally offered a full time position with Melwood, working on the landscaping team at the Kennedy Center. While simultaneously dealing with housing issues and losing a loved one, Rondail kept his focus and is currently loving his job and the steady schedule it provides. Rondail’s hope for the future is that he’ll move into a supervisor position and be able to get an apartment of his own so that he can have his two daughters stay with him for Christmas.
Yared Yesheberu
Yared was laid off in March 2020 when Covid-19 began dismantling the workforce. Through his relationship with Joseph’s House, Yared came to Jubilee Jobs to find employment. Determined to start working again, Yared sat in on two interview skills workshops with our wonderful volunteers, Pat and Ian. Once he felt confident with his pitch, Yared attended two hiring events on the same day and wound up with two jobs – one at the Chevy Chase Club and another at Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home. Good things are happening to Yared in twos these days, and his hope for the future is that along with receiving two Turtle Doves for Christmas, he’ll also maintain good health and continue to bring joy to the residents at Stoddard Baptist Nursing Home.
Anthony Benson
Anthony has been involved with Jubilee Jobs since 2018 and has always been an enthusiastic presence at our Job Friends dinners. Recently, Anthony began working with a partner organization, Unique Staffing, doing numerous jobs at Capital One Arena. He has found a good fit for himself there and is a trusted assistant to his supervisor. While staying busy at work, at home Anthony is working on his music and hopes to one day get into a studio to professionally record his songs. Until that day comes, he’ll continue his other passion, which is mentoring the neighborhood youth and keeping them focused on a rewarding future.
Cartell Carter
Cartrell has been giving excellent service to customers and co-workers at Sweetgreen, preparing and serving food. He was hired in September 2019 and worked steadily all during the pandemic. He has been recognized as Employee of the Month several times and recently was offered a position by a customer who wanted to hire him away, having recognized Cartrell’s excellent customer service. But Cartrell wants to stay where he is and is delighted to have this regular job. He hopes to earn his high school diploma in the near future.
Bernadette Ntsame
Bernadette came to the United States in 2018 from Gabon, West Africa with her small daughter. She was granted asylum status in 2020 and came to Jubilee Jobs where she says she “had the support and motivation to not give up.” Hired at Ross as a retail associate, she enjoys assisting customers and improving her English. Her dream is to become an elementary school teacher, as she was in Gabon.
Crystal Kelly
Crystal Kelly has been a part of the Jubilee Jobs Emerging Leaders program since February 2020 and is currently employed at the Nationals Ballpark. One of the things she loves about her job is being able to interact with the fans at the stadium when she’s at work. She is very passionate about helping others and makes sure that the fans are having a great experience. Next year, Crystal hopes that she will be able to buy a car to make it easier for her to commute to work.
Kevin Coble
Competent and reliable, Kevin is the ideal employee. His resume reflects a solid work history and longevity with previous employers. Colonial Parking recognized his strengths at the first interview and quickly hired him for a maintenance position. Kevin works full time and has benefits. His favorite part of the job is that it gets him out and about, and he “gets to see his favorite city”.
Christian Cabrera
Christian Cabrera joined our Emerging Leaders Program in August 2019. Christian started working part-time at Starbucks as a barista on August 22, 2019. A few months ago Christian celebrated his two year anniversary working at Starbucks. He is also getting full-time hours at Starbucks now. He is very passionate about helping his family.
