Promotion!

I have another post related to my job, though I told myself last month that I’d do one specifically about being an auntie. Ah well…

My recent big news is that I was offered a promotion at my job! During the first week of July, my associate director (a woman with 20 years in the Marine Corps on her resume, so she knows how to throw around intimidation when she wants to..) told me she wanted to talk to me, and when I sat down at her desk, she said that Terry (the Executive Director) and her needed to speak with me in the conference room. Even though Jacqueline and I have a good rapport, it was still one of those *gulp* moments.

I grabbed a pen and notebook and came upstairs. After a little musical chairs, Jacqueline and I just sat there, and the scene went a little like this:
Me: So…
JS: What? (feigning ignorance)
Me: I’m just kind of wondering why I’m here…
JS: Your heart pumping a little bit?
Me: ha – a little!
JS: Why? You haven’t done anything wrong have you??
Me: That’s exactly what’s going through my head right now, just to make sure!
JS: ha – no, you haven’t done anything wrong…

Then the big boss came in and they unveiled the actual reason for the meeting: a new job offer! Jubilee received a large grant that needs a job counselor to assume the role of Job/Educational Counselor. The grant is for 2 years (so I’m committed through the summer of 2011) and each year our goal is to give 20 young ex-offenders (ages 18-34) a $1000 scholarship toward their educational goal, whether that’s for a certificate or associate’s degree or vocational training etc.

I’m excited by this prospect (though we haven’t done much to define this new role yet) because of the goal to work against recidivism (the unfortunate pattern when people are released from prison and then shortly thereafter land right back in prison). The foundation who is funding this grant desires to work to end homelessness and to target young ex-offenders who have the potential to make better career choices if just given the chance. Enter our program that already does job placement, and add me to the mix to create a fusion of creative imagining for a new future!

Though I still don’t consider myself a seasoned pro, I have worked in this organization long enough to see several individuals who have a “checkered” past, telling me how they spent the better part of their “prime” years (not to sound ageist in the least) just going in and out of prison. I am energized by the idea that if we step in and intervene during these critical ages, perhaps we can stop the cycle of violence by focusing on a career path that leads to advancement and giving back.

Because the grant is so new, I have the opportunity to help create and define my role, and while that is a little intimidating to me, it is also exciting to think that I can help shape this new program and build structures that will hopefully help future participants.

If you or anyone you know has insight into scholarship opportunities, matching grant options, or programs in the greater DC area that are in the Adult Education field, don’t hesitate to let me know :)