INDIANAPOLIS -
Two years ago, Rochelle Webster found herself in a situation many Americans faced when she lost her job as a customer service representative. She discovered re-entering the job market would be a seemingly impossible task.
"What I thought would happen in a couple of months, it was six months then it became a year and by that time I'm single, I had went through my savings and things started to get really tight," said Webster.
Jobless and dangerously close to homelessness, she turned to the John H. Boner Community Center on the near east side to post resumes online.
"I came up here initially just to be getting on the computer, found out about all these programs and just went from there," said Webster.
She was paired up with a team of counselors who helped her with everything from job searches and financial skills to confidence building. They provided the tools, and she put in the hard work, changing her situation from dire to promising.
"A lot of times we find that were not only teaching financial life skills, they come in with other issues that we tend to address," said financial counselor Sharon Brashears.
"The year of saying 'We can't, we can't. Nobody will help us' is gone. You've gotta just be pure-blood American, pull yourself up by your boot straps and make it happen," said Webster.
She is living proof. While still looking for a permanent job, she is working full-time temp jobs and recently joined the Legacy Center to take control of her health.
"I've never been a big exercise person, but now that they have that facility, I'm going to jump into that as well, so I have my physical, my financial, my spiritual. It's full circle," said Webster.
Now looking to become a first time homeowner, she hopes to inspire others to take advantage of the programs that she believes will change people and eventually the entire community on the near east side.
More information on the John H. Boner Community Center.
