Volunteer Spotlight: Workshop Leaders

Each week, Jubilee Jobs provides interview skills workshops and conflict resolution workshops to assist clients during their job search process and prepare them for working at their new job. These workshops are led by three dedicated volunteers: Ian Newport, Pat Sherr, and Bob Ehrenfeld.

Before the pandemic, the Jubilee Jobs staff would be spoiled with homemade scones from England’s own Ian Newport. “It was a great way to start our day,” says Job Counselor DeSean Lawson. These days, Ian can be seen virtually through Zoom leading Jubilee Jobs weekly Interview Skills workshops on Thursday mornings. During Ian’s workshop, clients learn the importance of the first impression, company research, and how to highlight one’s skills for the position. However, Ian isn't alone in leading Interview Skills workshops.

Thanks to Pat Sherr, clients can now attend socially distant in-person sessions Thursday afternoons. Pat has volunteered for 15 years and comes with over 40 years of experience in the area of human resources. Clients who attend Pat’s in-person workshop can expect wisdom, but also practical exercises that have been proven to help clients gain employment. Several clients have attended both workshops because of the value of Ian’s presentation in addition to Pat’s in-person exercises. “Despite both workshops reviewing the same information, they are unique in their own way,” says Volunteer Coordinator Vince Van.

Last year, Jubilee Jobs volunteer Bob Ehrenfeld returned as the Conflict Resolution workshop leader. The goal of this workshop is to help clients produce healthy solutions during the time of disagreement in their personal life and on their job. During this workshop, Bob can be seen on Zoom going over his personally created workshop packet that discusses anger management and coping with conflict at home. It is in this workshop that clients gain tools that can be used beyond the job. Thomas Crum once stated, “The quality of our lives depends not on whether or not we have conflicts, but on how we respond to them.” And thanks to Bob, each week clients are learning how to respond to conflicts.

We are very grateful for Ian, Pat, and Bob for their invaluable contributions as workshop leaders at Jubilee Jobs!