Teton Area

# of Kids: 1 Previous Occupation: Unemployed Previous Wage: Unemployed Current Occupation: Office Manager/Wyoming Landscape Current Wage: $32,760/year Tiffany completed Climb's Office Careers training.

“I always dreaded job interviews. They made me self-conscious, and I always got nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I think I avoided them whenever I could. When I started Climb and the staff said that we’d be practicing interviews, I got really anxious. I did three ‘mock interviews,’ and they all felt like the real thing. When Climb staff and volunteer interviewers said I’d done great, that really gave me confidence. When I went in for my real interview, it was easy. There were three people from the company asking me questions, and I wasn’t even nervous. I just felt really well prepared. They didn’t ask me anything that I wasn’t ready to answer. Climb definitely challenged me to overcome my fears about the job application and hiring process. But there was a tremendous amount of support, too. It was a powerful combination for me.”

# of Kids: 1 Previous Occupation: Food Service Previous Wage: $1,102/month Current Occupation: Receptionist, Women's Health Center and Family Care Clinic Current Wage: $2,773/month Karina completed Climb's Office Careers training.

“I was born in Mexico City and moved to the U.S. with my family. I worked for many years at a local restaurant, but when my son was born, my 12-hour shifts meant that I never saw him. I cried every night when I came home because he didn’t want me to hold him. I didn’t think he loved me. Climb was my first time in counseling. It allowed me to finally talk through past trauma, and Climb referred me to continue my therapy, something that has helped me find success in my personal life and at work. Life is a lot better for us. My new schedule has me home with my son so much more. He’s happier—I can tell he’s glad that momma is with him. For me, Climb wasn’t just about the money, it was about that time with my son.”

# of Kids: 3 Previous Occupation: Housekeeper Previous Wage: $364/month Current Occupation: Front Desk Receptionist, Emerg A Care Jackson Hole Current Wage: $2,946/month Gloria completed Climb's Medical Office Careers training.

“I was working in housekeeping before Climb. It was stressful because I did double shifts so was working in the morning and then at night. I didn’t see my kids and they would always ask, ‘When are you coming back?’ They didn’t want to go to school and were fighting a lot. I was mentally and physically drained. At Climb, it was okay to say what you thought, and there was no judgment. We got connected to community resources like counseling for my kids. It used to be that I’d ask for help and get down about it—now I can pick up the phone. I’d never had a mock interview, it was always, ‘Here’s a job you’re stuck with it.’ I have such great healthcare benefits now. I’m not as tired as I was and have energy to go home to my kids.”