Employee Stories: Karyn Weber
During the nine months Karyn Weber was unemployed, she only had two job interviews. Two, and she had no idea there were resources available to help people with disabilities find work.
“I was going through a program at the blind school and they approached PHCNW,” she said. “They handed in my resume, I interviewed and a job became available. Being able to step into that position was a wonderful, wonderful opportunity.”
Karyn said with the economy and job market in such rough shape, she is supportive of what PHCNW does.
“While I was unemployed, I felt very discouraged, like I lost part of myself,” she said. “PHCNW provides a great benefit for people that have some disabilities to get into the job market and receive training, especially if you are lacking in a certain area. They will provide that for you so you meet all the requirements, so you excel. They encourage you and help your inner peace.”
Karyn works in the clerical department at the Federal Highway Building in Vancouver, WA. Her responsibilities involve: greeting customers and signing them in, verifying IDs, copying, word processing, formatting, etc.
“This job provides insurance, livelihood and self-worth,” she said. “I really did miss working and being in the public. Going back to work regenerated me.”
After she leaves work, Karyn spends a majority of her time volunteering at the Wildlife Botanical Gardens in Brush Prairie, WA. The Wildlife Botanical Gardens are a cohesive blend of ten separate, but neighboring, specialty gardens. Spread over three acres and open to the public, the Gardens are devoted to demonstrating gardening concepts which attract birds, butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife to residential gardens of all styles.
“Volunteering is a great way for people to get together and trade ideas, aside from helping the environment,” she said.
