Salvation Army program brings jobs

The Salvation Army is a United Way agency.
By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR HEALTH WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Kim McKelly views her part-time cleaning job in the maintenance department at the Youngstown YMCA as a new start.
For McKelly, 46, of Youngstown, getting and keeping jobs has not been easy.
She was on welfare off and on for 23 years before she got a job at Goodwill Industries in the mid-1990s.
However, when she was laid off three years later from her position as an assistant supervisor in the laundry department, it threw her back into the welfare system and left her occasionally working temporary jobs.
Determined to get back to a steady job, McKelly worked temporary jobs and volunteered at the Salvation Army for several years. She also earned her GED -- General Educational Development -- diploma. She had attended South High School but did not graduate.
Then in 2002, the Salvation Army, which receives support from the Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way, developed its Steps2Success Program, and McKelly saw an opportunity to escape welfare.
"I jumped on the first train smoking," she said.
Details
Steps2Success, a five-week, 10-session program, includes information provided by human resources managers on how to dress and interview for jobs, and about r & eacute;sum & eacute; writing and completing job applications by a retired university professor, said Jean L. Malandro, director of social services for the Salvation Army.
The program also offers motivational speakers, and when clients complete the course, they can receive three "gently worn" business outfits suitable for job interviews from the Salvation Army's clothing boutique, Malandro said.
For McKelly, it took a while, but she was determined to get back into the work force. Her desire to work was the driving force behind her getting a job at the Youngstown YMCA.
"If you're in the right frame of mind, being on welfare makes you determined to get off and get on your own two feet," she said.
She credits the Step2Success Program as playing an important part in finding a job.
After finishing the training, McKelly got a job but lost it when she got hurt. Finally, her program mentor found McKelly a job at the same place she (the mentor) works, the YMCA.
McKelly said she likes the job at the YMCA. The people are nice and there is something different every day.
She said the Step2Success was a good experience and "let me know someone cares. I feel good about myself because once again I get a paycheck."
As for her plans, she said she can type and would like to learn computer skills.
Only 13 participants
Also, McKelly continues to volunteer at the Salvation Army, where she has been for about 10 years. "It's like family," she said.
"Kim is extremely centered and enterprising and always has hope and is willing to learn. She has had blow after blow but knows there is another way of life she'd like to have. She has integrity and is highly trustworthy," Malandro said.
The one thing that disappoints Malandro about the Steps2Success Program is that only 13 people have taken the two sessions offered.
But, there is good news too. The success rate is great. Ten of the 13 have found work, are going to school or have changed the circumstances in their lives, Malandro said.
McKelly said starting over is not as easy as it used to be.
But she said: "I have a beautiful family [two sons and a daughter in Columbus and one son in Youngstown] and 10 beautiful grandchildren."
"Right now, I can't complain. I have patience," she said.
alcorn@vindy.com