Zoey - Employment Services Program

The Employment Services Program in partnership with Erie County DSS (Department of Social Services) provides low-income individuals with comprehensive Job Readiness, Job Search, Vocational Training and High School Equivalency services. Approximately 400-500 individuals are helped with this program every year, including Zoey.  

Zoey entered the Employment Services Program during the summer of 2017. This single mom of two was new to Buffalo, after she moved here from her home out of state. She instantly became a favorite with the staff and other clients. Although she attended the program regularly, she was non-committal and withdrawn when it came to defining her goals. 

During a goal session, Zoey shared that cleaning was one of her passions. There was a new training program that prepared individuals for front line positions in hospitals. At the end of the program, participants receive a Certification Credential from The American Hospital Association. She was enrolled in the Certification for Health Care Environmental Service Technician – CHEST training as well as the GED program in November of 2017 and never looked back!

Zoey completed the 8-week CHEST training with meticulous notes and without missing any classes. She sat and passed the Certification Exam on the first try and earned the Employment Services Program Certificate for Perfect Attendance. Immediately after graduation and certification, the staff in Employment Services helped Zoey build her resume using the Real Time Cleaning Internship at The Salvation Army for additional experience. 

Today, Zoey continues to work in the Environmental Services industry using her Nationally recognized CHEST credential that she earned at The Salvation Army of Buffalo.