This is why we do the work we do. I recently received the following letter from Barb Stanley in Pennsylvania:
Dear Ruth:
I have to share the great news that my “homeless” friend, Scott, is now in his third week of work at McDonald’s. I am beyond excited!
He called me to share the news of his job, saying that he felt strongly that it was my support that helped him. I am here to tell you that because of the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), the Bridges Out of Poverty training, the ongoing “morning conversations”—not to mention the facilitators’ calm, empowering manner—I now have the tools to help Scott.
I learned two important ideas with the training: (1) A positive, caring relationship is one of the things that is missing in many people’s lives. (2) The mental modeling really does facilitate communication. Yes, I had my doubts—but I am a believer. Scott and I have been friends for two years, but it wasn’t until we used the mental models that change started to occur.
Scott said that the exercises I asked him to do gave him clarity about his situation and the direction he wanted to take. I love the fact that when I asked him to list his resources, he put his own name down. (He also listed the BCOC).
I have other examples to give where the mental models made a difference, but I’ll save those for another time. Scott has asked me to keep my ears open for an affordable studio apartment that he can rent. I am so proud of him!
You can hear and help be a part of uplifting stories like this by getting more deeply involved with aha! Process.
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Ruth Weirich, author of Workplace Stability, has provided insight into the overall corporate strategies of divisions and companies for 30 years. She received her M.B.A. from Colorado State and her B.A. in Business Administration from Goshen College. By maximizing an organization’s operating performance and achieving its financial goals, Ruth has held responsibilities ranging from communicating with and leading all stakeholders to preparing operating budgets to overseeing a strategic plan. Ruth is an active listener, a critical thinker, and has quick judgment and decision making skills. Click to learn more about Ruth Weirich.
