April 2021 Newsletter
Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Sherr
Pat Panero Sherr spent her career in the hotel industry. As a human resources director she traveled the world, opening and staffing hotels for Four Seasons, Westin, Hyatt, and Loews. In these positions she played a key role bringing equal employment opportunity to the hotel industry. Later Pat became an independent HR consultant. Pat credits her successful career in part to the fact that she’s curious and “can talk to anyone!”
In 2006 through a friend’s urging, Pat visited Jubilee Jobs. She immediately saw a meaningful opportunity to share her skills and knowledge with others. Jubilee Jobs and its employment focused mission was a perfect place to “give back”. As Pat tells it, “I had a very fortunate life that was rich with opportunity and experiences, and I felt that it was important to do something for other people.”
Pat runs a weekly interview skills workshop she created for Jubilee Jobs job seekers. The workshop provides applicants a time to review common interview question and learn the “dos and don’ts” from a hiring manager’s perspective. In the workshop Pat takes her time to help each applicant craft an “elevator pitch” and reframe any work experiences that might be viewed as negative. The single most important piece of advice she gives her workshop participants is to project energy in the job interview. She explains that, “there’s just no way around it.”
Applicant Spotlight: Chico Pruitt
Chico Pruitt is an excellent construction worker with experience and skills in pouring and finishing concrete as well as carpentry. Because of the pandemic, he was laid off from his job in July 2020. Even with a high school diploma, driver’s license, and steady work history for the past 25 years, he was not able to find a new job. He came to Jubilee Jobs on March 4, 2021, and we quickly recognized Chico as an exemplary candidate for any job in the construction or housekeeping industries. Sure enough, he followed through with every opportunity, including eight job applications and interviews.
Pat Sherr, an expert in the human resources field and longtime volunteer with Jubilee Jobs, led Chico in an interviewing workshop on Zoom. She helped him appreciate the valuable experience and excellent work ethic which he brings to every job. Finally, after one month of daily crucial tasks in the job finding process, Chico was hired. The big smile we knew was on his face when he called to let us know brought joy to all of us. “Is Alexandria too far?” we asked. “Of course not, I just can’t wait to get back to work.”
Chico came to Washington, DC from Huntsville, Alabama. He is the youngest of 15 children with parents who gave him “a good southern raising. They taught me how to work, to be respectful of people, and to stay in school.” His mom was a missionary Baptist and he went to Bible study, Sunday school, and church regularly. He was a wide receiver on his high school football team.
When asked about what he was most proud of in his life, Chico said, “My mom caught cancer and I took care of her for six months before she died. It was the hardest thing I ever did but I am so glad I could care for her.” Once Chico starts his new job, we will continue to stay in touch to connect him with future jobs in Washington, DC’s construction industry so he can use his extensive skills in concrete pouring and carpentry. He has many years of productive employment ahead of him.
Thank you to our volunteers.
Thank you to our volunteers who in 2020 volunteered 1,906 hours -- almost the equivalent of one full-time employee! Check out this video that shows some of the volunteers' great work before and during the pandemic.
We are always looking for volunteers to help applicants with resume updates, mock interviews or online applications. You can do this by Zoom and we will provide training. Read here about volunteer opportunities or you can contact our Volunteer Coordinator Vince Van at vvan@jubileejobs.org