Good News but…

I have some good news to report today.  I’m halfway there to having a job.  Last week, I submitted my application to the AmeriCorps Vista Program.  Then on Monday, July, 27, 2009, I applied to eight different programs that was looking for AmeriCorps Vista.  By the time I got back to the house, I had two interviews set up for Wednesday, July 29 and Thursday, July 30.  I’m about to go to the later interview in about an hour.  But as I’ll be going there, it a big relief to know that the interview I had on Wednesday, has officially selected to fill one of their positions.  And this is where the BUT goes…even though I’m excited, now I have to wait for the main AmeriCorps accepts me.  As soon as they accept me and sends me that e-mail then I can officially accept the position that I’m selected for.  So, I’m halfway there and just waiting for that e-mail.  Once I have accepted the position, I will have to attend a training in Atlanta on September 15th thru the 18th.  Then I will start the position shortly there after.  I will get paid $891 per month.  Remember this is an AmeriCorps job which is a service job that I have to commit one year of my time too.  Plus, I get other benefits as well.

But I do see another major decision for me coming up soon that could put an end to my current situation.  This AmeriCorps position is only one year.  After the year is up, I will either have to re-apply for another Vista position or try to find a full-time job all over again.  This is where I’m faced with the decision.  As of right now, on August 5, 2009, I have an interview for a full time job that isn’t an AmeriCorps job.  So, that basically means if they offer me the job and I accept that in one year, I will continue working with them until they decide to let me go.  Which also means I could get out of my current situation and back on my feet faster rather than waiting another year before I can get back on my feet.  Does that make sense?  But first they have to offer me this job that I have the interview for on August 5th before I can make that decision or do I stay with my word that I gave to the person that selected me for the AmeriCorps position?

But the good news is that there is a light at the end of the tunnel for me!  Yeah me!!!!!!

TL

What a great busy week this going to be…

In my last post, I talked about how busy my last week was going to be.  Well, this week is as busy if not busier.  But it didn’t start off that busy for this week.  But before I get into this week, let me give everybody a run down on last week happenings.  As I mention in my last post, Monday, July 20, I had to go and pick up my medicine from Pike Street Clinic.  Also, as I mention in last post, this was very huge for me because now I can get my diabetes medicine without have to pay for it.  I was there for like three hours.  Then I walked back up to the Cincinnati Public Library where I continue my research on homelessness.  Then on Tuesday, July 21, I had to go to a WIA Program Orientation at One Stop.  This program will help me pay for my training for a MCSE Certification if I qualify for the program.  This WIA Program is a three step process.  There are two Orientations that I have to attend and a one on one meeting with a Career Advisor.  So, on Tuesday, July 21 and Thursday, July 23, I went to the two orientations.  Plus, on Thursday, I went with Cathy to the Free Food Bank Store.  That was a great adventure.  Also, on Wednesday, July 22, I applied for AmeriCorps Vista program which was a great move for me because it is this move that has made this week a hot busy week for me.  Also, I learned that my interview I had with Siemens IT Solution had their contract pulled from them meaning that job no longer exist.

So, what does this week have for me?  Well, originally this was going to be a light week.  As I only had one appointment this week and that was on Monday.  But what I didn’t expect was that one appointment turned into this busy week.

A)  Monday, July 27 – I had my one on one session with my Career Advisor from One Stop regarding my qualification into the WIA Program.  But before I know if I have qualify there are numerous things I had to gather before our next meeting which is Friday, July 31.  From this session, I learned more about how I to apply for AmeriCorps Vista.  So, when I went to the library I ended up applying for eight Vista programs.  By the time I got back to the house, I had a job interview set for Wednesday, July 29.  So, here is what I have to gather for my Career Advisor:

1)  Proof of Residence from Cathy here.

2)  My birth certificate and social security card

3)  Research and fill out a Q&A form about the program certification I want to attend.

4)  Have to apply for financial aid.

5)  Have to go back three months of my job searching and printout all my correspondence regarding the jobs I have applied for.  This is going to take a few days.

B)  Tuesday, July 28 – Mainly used this day to gather a lot of my information I need to gather for my Career Advisor, did my research for my certification, and started the printing out of my last three months of my job searching.  Plus, had to help Cathy with her test that she had for her job interview she has also on Wednesday, July 29.  (Good luck Cathy).  As I was doing my stuff, I got a call for yet another job interview that will be on Thursday, July 30.  Doing this post is my last thing for me to do on this computer for the night!

C)  Wednesday, July 29 – I have a 3:00 pm interview at the Brighton Center for the Recover Northern Kentucky AmeriCorps Vista program.  So, I hope the rain will stop by the time I get on the bus around 12:00 pm.  Let’s pray that it will!  Plus, I will be continuing working on the job searching printout for the last three months and probably start applying for financial aid as well.

D)  Thursday, July 30 – I will know more on Wednesday when my interview for the Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati Visa will be on this day.  Plus, I will be putting finishing touches on my job searching project for the last three months and financial aid in preparation of my meeting with my Career Advisor on Friday.

E)  Friday, July 31 – I have my meeting with my Career Advisor at 9:00 am.  I have to present all my stuff that I have gather for her at this meeting.  Then it will probably be like a week or so before I will know if I have qualified for the WIA Program.

As you see, what turned out to be a light week for me is turning out to be a very busy week.  I’m not complaining but just glad to be doing something that is meaningful and productive.  And there is still things I have to do like call the Ohio Food Stamp Office to figure out where my appointment letter is that was turned in over two weeks ago.  This weekend will be a much needed rest when it gets here.  Anyway, back to my busy week.

TL

Another busy week coming up…

If last week wasn’t a busy week, this week coming up is.  Last week, I had a job interview up in Mason, OH with Siemens for a short term job which fail through that I just recently learned.  Also, I went to re-apply for my KY Food Stamps Benefits again since I missed the re-certification meeting that I was supposed to have in June.  In which I learned I was denied because they consider me a resident of OH.  Go figure on that one out?  So, the next day I turned in my paperwork for the OH Food Stamps Benefits.  I’m just waiting on my appointment to be sent to me by mail.  So, that might be added to my to do list for this upcoming week if I get that in the mail.  Also, learned that Recovery Network Center in Covington, KY went through changes and I’ll be unable to use their address anymore.  In the process of this, I also heard that there were big changes made in March of this year to programs around these services.  Then on Friday, I go to go to the Pike Street Clinic to talk to them regarding my meds.  As for this week, Monday, Tuesday, and possibly Thursday are booked for me.  This is what’s on my agenda this week.

On Monday, I’m going to be picking up my meds and my test strips from the Pike Street Clinic in Covington, KY.  This is a huge thing for me because I don’t have to spend $21 each month to get my meds plus the $60 for my test strips.  Not to mention I don’t have to pay for any doctors visits and etc.  I just have to go into the clinic once a month which is also free for me.  So, this is a huge monkey off my back or at least until I can get back up on my feet but then I can use St. Vincent DePaul to get at least my meds for free but will have to start paying for my test strips.  But until then, I will worry about that later when it comes.  Then after I’m done there, I will be going to the library again to continue doing my research and my job searching.

On Tuesday, I’m going to be going to an orientation at the Career Connection inside One Stop in Covington, KY.  This I’m very excited about and really will be excited if I qualify for their certification program.  Career Connection has a program where they will help individuals obtain various certifications like the A+ or the Microsoft Office certification and etc.  In which the Career Connection will pay up to a certain amount to help you obtain your certification.  So, I hope I qualify!  If I do, that means, my Thursday will be busy as well as I would have to go back to the Career Connection as well.  But one step at a time.  Then after I’m done there, I’ll be going back to the library again to continue my researching and job searching.

Even though the above doesn’t seem that busy, it’s actually the waiting that kills me.  Good thing I’m a very patience person.  It will take 4 to 5 hours of waiting at both the Pike Street Clinic and One Stop but it will be worth every penny though!  But besides that, there are other things that could come up that will require me to add to my to do list this week.  Like:

1)  Have e-mails out regarding volunteering at various places like the Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homeless.

2)  Also, trying to get various meetings with some of my networking contacts in regards of projects I’m trying to get started or ideas I have that I need to pitch.

3)  If my OH Food Stamps Benefits Office mails my appointment, I could have a meeting this week?

4)  Could have a few job interviews as well. 

So, as you can see I will have a lot on my plate if things start coming through.  Also, I will continue researching my idea that I’m having and continue working on my project to get it up off the ground.  So, expect in the next month or two big news coming from me in regards of me taking my life in a new direction.

Enjoy and I hope everybody have a great week!

- TL

Interesting day…

Today was a very interesting day for me.  I learned from the Kentucky Food Stamps Office today that they consider me an Ohio resident because I have been staying at friend’s places in Ohio for the last two week.  So, in their book that makes me an Ohio resident and have to register for food stamps in Ohio now.  Which I will be doing tomorrow.  Now I will see what the people here in Ohio will say.  It wouldn’t surprise me if they tell me I’m a Kentucky resident.  At which point, I’m going to tell them to call the Kentucky Food Stamps Office and tell them that.  Then whoever wins the battle, gets me.  Sounds like a plan to me?

In other developments, with my recent struggles in life and today’s development has given me a fire in my stomach that has caused me to send out feelers that could possibly lead me and my life in a new direction.  More to come about this over the next few week.

Also, I have been doing a lot of walking lately.  Which is good for me because it helps me lose weights and get back in shape.

Yesterday, I had a great interview which I’m waiting to hear back from.  I should hear something about it tomorrow.  Now the only little and I mean little draw back is that the job is only three weeks long.  But it will help me get the necessary experience that I need to get updated.  So, let’s hope it works out.

TL

Miscellaneous…

Well, things are starting to heat up around here when it comes to the job searching.  Earlier this week, I took a different direction when it came to my job searching process.  I re-did my cover letter and created a broadcast letter that I sent out to potential companies.  Plus, I have been doing a lot more networking and seem to be getting my job leads.  All of this has lead me to my first interview that I had in a while that’s not connected with a recruiter.  That interview is Tuesday in Mason, OH with Siemens IT Solutions for a month or two job that could lead into full-time.  But it’s a start at least.

In other news about me, I have been doing a lot of walking lately and notice how much strength I have after walking long distance.  I have notice that since I have lost weight how much better I have felt.  So, I guess a good side effect of the diabetes medication is losing weight?  But it’s time for me to believe in myself.  I’m just asking friends of mine to not lose confidence in me or stop believing in me.  Things will turn around for me.  Just got to believe!

TL

Great day today…

Today, I was in very high spirits and energy as I was job searching today.  I took my job searching in a different direction and thought it was very great day after all.  As I ended up with so good networking contacts that possibly could lead somewhere?  We shall see!

TL

Happy 4th of July…

First, let me wish everybody a happy 4th of July.  As America grows older, so does my job search.  But like this 4th of July a new year for America, so will my job search.  Over the next few days, I’m going to be making some changes to my job searching methods by adding some more things.  I have a little over three weeks left here at Cathy and Richard’s place.  If something doesn’t come up soon, I might be out in the streets for good.  But I’m trying to avoid that as much as possible as I’m on the computer job searching like on average of five to six hours a day.  Not to mention, making cold calls, sending out e-mails, and trying my best.  There isn’t a single thing I haven’t tried that hasn’t gotten me a job or an interview.  Hiring managers only want to take a few seconds to look over resumes really skips all the good fit people like me.  But it’s only a matter of time something will start showing up for me.  But until then, back to searching I go.

TL

Still Trying…

Well, able to get on for a few to write this.  Been here in Delhi, OH since Sunday, June 28, 2009.  Went to my interview on Monday, June 29, 2009, and thought I did a great job.  RHT has yet to get back with me but they did say they will suggest forwarding my application to the two companies we talked about in our interview.  Now just waiting to hear back from RHT.  While I was still downtown, I put in my resume to Kroger, Chiquita, Wendy’s, and Walgreens.  Then on Tuesday and Wednesday, I have been job searching on the computer more.  Now, not only have I been job searching, I also been helping Richard and Cathy around the house as well.  Otherwise, just been keeping myself busy.  Just keep praying and applying that something will come up.

TL