WERCing Woman Award of Achievement - 2009
Tanya Cotto
Each year we identify one individual who has successfully moved her life and her family in a positive direction since completing classes at the Center. Tanya Cotto came to us for assistance almost 4 years ago. Her life was in transition, as was that of her two children. She had worked at several jobs which gave her a variety of basic skills from clerical to customer service, but at that point in her life she simply needed to refocus, update computer skills, and better understand how to market what she had to offer an employer. She was typical of many of our women.
She participated in the program with a great attitude and a determination to do what we ask of all of our participants....we ask that they spend the weeks they have with us seeing themselves as a dry sponge that has now found water. We ask that they listen, participate, and soak up all of the information that they can to make their journey to self-sufficiency as smooth as possible. Tanya did just that. She learned to better value who she was, to recognize what she had to offer, and to identify where she wanted to go....both personally and professionally.
We are proud to say that she has taken herself to a place of personal independence and her family to a place of financial independence. Through the opportunity given to her by our Employer of the Year - The Resource Center for Independent Living, she has moved from a Program Assistant to an Administrative Assistant to an Employment Specialist....all in a relatively short period of time.
We cannot emphasize enough how important it is during a time of crisis or transition.... to make the time needed to acquire skills that would enhance your marketability....to identify strengths and weaknesses....and to set a goal for that journey to independence. We again want to thank our partners who help us build the best reemployment programs possible....
Tanya....we are very very proud of you and your accomplishments. We knew all along that you would succeed......because of your commitment to yourself and your children....and through your persistence to excel. Today you represent all of the over 4,000 women with whom we have worked.....and all of those who are now in charge of their lives.