Get to Know IW Vocational Services!
With Axel Lara - VSP Bilingual Case Manager
Q: What is Vocational Services Program?
A: Vocational Services Program (VSP) is a program that helps our clients find employment and training opportunities within Montgomery County. We offer mock interview practices to prepare clients for job interviews and we partner with the IW (Interfaith Works) Essential Needs Center “Prepare to Impress” store to help clients shop for professional clothing so they can go into their interview feeling confident. We aid with resume building and helping clients fill out their applications. Our clients without access to internet or a computer can come into our onsite computer lab and complete any applications or paperwork to help them obtain interviews, trainings and fill out applications. We help many different people in several different demographics to prepare for and obtain necessary training and employment opportunities.
Q: Why is this program so necessary for our community?
A: There are many who are unable to obtain job opportunities by themselves. They might have been looking for a job for a long time without assistance but having a helping hand to guide them during this process can better equip them for employment. This also helps clients receive any additional training they need like an ESOL class so they can use those skills as an employee. These training courses are all paid for by VSP, and they receive a $15 per hour stipend for attending the training so they can be accessible to our clients without putting a financial burden on them.
Q: What are the biggest challenges or barriers you see VSP clients facing?
A: The biggest barrier is documentation because it is so important. You cannot be employed without a form of legal documentation. Most of our clients do not have access to documentation so that is hard to work around. Another barrier is that a lot of our clients speak a different language than English and they only understand their native language. Luckily, there are many available classes that our clients can access, but learning a new language can be incredibly difficult and time consuming. But no matter what our clients keep trying and they are doing the work to help themselves get to a better place.
Q: What do you like most about your role and working with the VSP team?
A: I like helping others and making an impact in our community. I think every single time that I can provide a useful resource and enroll in trainings, or help them with their resume, it is an incredible opportunity to learn more about them and help them to figure out what interests them with the goal of becoming successful. Regarding being a member of the VSP team, I just love working with them, collaborating with them, it feels like family.
Q: How can people best support VSP and your clients?
A: I think the best way to support our clients is to continue to support our work. I think having expanded space at Rollins with the computer lab and conference room to help give clients access to training and support has been such a huge help. If people can provide support to our clients during their employment journey, that is a huge help. We know that finding a job is hard and just letting our clients know that we support them and want them to succeed makes all the difference.