WERCing Woman Award of Achievement - 2010
Lydia Kichakov
This year we are honoring a very special woman by presenting her with the WERCing Woman Award of Achievement. Her name is Lydia Kichakov....and she is someone of whom we are very proud. Lydia came to the center over a decade ago seeking assistance in acquiring work. She recognized that she needed to develop computer skills that would open the door to a new career. We discussed what we could give her with respect to technology. However, we understood that she needed a clearer picture of what the labor market held.... and more importantly, how to navigate a complex system with which she had no familiarity. We knew that while her mastery of the English language was very good, the nuances that existed could make the difference for her to reach success....and it was our responsibility to provide guidance and to serve as a resource.
While Lydia had challenges ahead of her, she was VERY clear that she came to us with a strong determination to find a good job and to keep her family healthy and strong. As she moved through the program, she maintained a great sense of humor....and she kept us all on our toes. She worked closely with us, she questioned and challenged us, and she contributed freely. She reminded us often that "I will learn what I need to do to get where I want to go!" We saw a strength in Lydia that told us that she needed exactly what we had to offer far and away beyond computer skills. She needed a safe and secure environment in which she could refocus her life, learn new skills, and develop goals for her future. We encouraged her as we do each of our participants to use those weeks in training to focus on herself. Women are generally very distracted with mates, children, parents, bills, insurance, health and other crises...the result is that they forget who they are, what their strengths are, what they’re good at, and how to use what they have to build a healthy and happy life.
Lydia has worked her way up her career ladder....at one time even working at the Center. She has been a Legal Assistant in the law office of Martin Daly for 9 years. Thank you Attorney Daly for providing an opportunity for Lydia. I know she continues to work hard, is loyal and committed. She personifies the "life long learner" that we hear so much about.