Christina Daniels was born in the Bay Area with cataracts that diminished her eyesight. A few years later glaucoma reduced her vision further. But Daniels, who is now 33, embraced the challenge of low-vision and was a go-getter. With a Bachelor‘s degree in English from San Francisco State plus braille and accessible technology skills, she held a job as an instructor at San Francisco Vocational Services (SFVS) teaching job-seekers math, English and technology to help them break into a career. But when the economy crashed in 2009, SFVS was a casualty, shutting their doors due to funding shortages.
For four years Christina searched for employment in a job market affected by a weak economy. This year, her Department of Rehabilitation counselor, Mario Gomez, recommended the LightHouse’s Employment Immersion program. The suggestion resonated with Christina, since the LightHouse was in her sights as a place she might like to work.
Her compatriots in the Employment Immersion session in March 2013 really appreciated having Christina in the class. Her fluency in ZoomText and Jaws screen reading software really came in handy, and she readily shared her knowledge. For Christina, the class was fantastic, because it brought rigorous structure, tangible steps, and an action plan to her job hunt. She was ready to jump in, and was especially engaged during the one-on-one job development phase of the course. Through the class Christina improved her resume and enhanced her interviewing skills.
Christina told us, “What’s great about the class is that it gives you structure – somewhere you have to be in the morning, assignments to complete. [Program leader] Kate Williams is a really good teacher. She got us thinking about how to get a job in the 21st century.”
When a receptionist position opened up at the LightHouse, Kate encouraged Christina to apply. Very quickly, Christina interviewed and landed the job. “The calmness and serenity that Christina brought to the Employment Immersion class are serving her well at the LightHouse Reception desk,” said Kate.
We are so glad to have Christina as the morning receptionist and imagine a great future with her at the LightHouse!
Looking for work for the first time? Ready to re-enter the job market? It’s a small investment of time – just eight weeks will get you up-to-speed with the latest job-search methods, plus one-on-one counseling and interview practice in a warm, encouraging environment. Our next Employment Immersion session runs from Tuesday, August 6 through Thursday, September 26 and will take place at the LightHouse’s office at the Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley. For more information, call Kate Williams at 415-694-7324 or email her at kwilliams@lighthouse-sf.org.
