Birolena

Birolena and her husband were laid off from their jobs at a Waikoloa area hotel earlier this year; she as a housekeeper of five years and he as a landscaper. Like so many others, the couple had issues filing for unemployment benefits and became concerned about providing for themselves and their one-year old son after three months of no income. Birolena was disheartened by her financial situation and was tired of waiting for the possibility of being called back to work. She needed to find work and soon. Birolena learned about Goodwill’s employment services after a chance encounter with her former classmate and Goodwill Hawaii employment counselor, Amanda, who scheduled them an appointment to enroll for help. With the goal of helping the pair find immediate employment, Amanda got right to work reviewing their employment interests and goals with them and helping to set up HireNet accounts, update their resumes and prepare with mock-interviews. With Amanda’s guidance and assistance, Birolena was able to land a job working as an Administrative Assistant at the Goodwill Hawaii office in Hilo. “Thank you so much for helping me, it means the world to me,” Birolena said. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me that day at the park and for going through the hoops with me. I am forever grateful. Because of you all, I am employed and will be able to provide for my little family. You ladies and this program are a blessing!”