Women in Associated Builders and Contractors to host Career Empowerment Day at My Sister’s Place Women’s Center on May 5

Program participants to be introduced to careers in construction

05 May 09 12:00 AM CDT

 On May 5, 2009, the Women in Associated Builders and Contractors (WABC), a committee of Associated Builders and Contractors Baltimore Chapter, will host their second annual Career Empowerment Day at Catholic Charities’ My Sister’s Place Women’s Center (MSPWC), located at 17 West Franklin Street. The six-hour workshop will be held from 7:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The participants will be women who are enrolled in MSPWC’s job-readiness program and Catholic Charities’ Families That Work Program, a job-readiness program for temporary cash assistance recipients who are in their third trimester of pregnancy or who have given birth within the past six months.  Participants are provided training in life skills, financial planning, literacy workshops, GED classes and employment skills that are needed to secure employment and maintain a healthy, balanced life. Case management is provided for up to six month after the birth of the child.

The morning-to-afternoon workshop will begin with a breakfast followed by breakout sessions that include an instructional interview, classes on resume writing, careers in construction and skills for keeping your job. Lunch will be provided and gift bags and door prizes will be awarded to the participants. The Women of ABC have recently completed a Professional Clothing Drive and will be contributing the donated items to the My Sister’s Place Program.

“This forum is an opportunity for WABC to present the field of commercial construction as a viable career choice for women,” says Martha Elliott, director of Business Development for CAM Construction.

"I have worked in the construction industry as a certified public accountant for 25 years and enjoy the rewards and opportunities that comes with a career in this field and look forward to sharing my story with the women of the Catholic Charities’ Families That Work Program," said Anita Sheckells, president of Katz, Abosch, Windesheim, Gershman and Freedman, P.A , member of Women in Associated Builders and Contractors, and event presenter.

Other noted presenters will include Donnella Johnson, relationships manager for Commercial Interiors, Inc.; Terri Spriggs, human resources manager for PSA Financial; and Kathy Wilmot, president of Wilmot Modular, attorney Content McLaughlin Esq., 2009 recipient of Harford County’s “Athena Award” and one of the 2009 Maryland’s Top 100 Women, Jodi Hume executive life consultant for The Business of Life; Allegra Bennett recent spokeswoman for BGE and  other volunteers from the WABC.

“To have these professional women speak to our ladies is an awesome experience,” says Charleen Thomas-Christon, program manager of Families That Work. “The American Dream is the availability of jobs where one can earn a good living, have job security, and affordable healthcare for the family. This day will provide information on a non-traditional career path for women that will enable them to realize the dream is attainable.”

More information about My Sister's Place Women's Center

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