This week we had a new Service Missionary couple join our team at the employment center. We had a potluck lunch together to discuss how things are going and see if anyone had any issues or suggestions on what we could do to better help those who come into the employment center looking for help. We were finally able to get a picture of everyone in our group together:

I received a call from the Relief Society President of one of the local wards about a couple and their 12 year old daughter that moved here from Florida. They had sent money to a person (who was supposed to be a friend) to reserve a place to rent when they got here. While traveling here from Florida in a U-Haul truck, he didn't answer his phone. When they got here, he was no where to be found and had took off with their money. They didn't have any place to stay or any money. We met them in the office on our day off and worked with them to put together resumes for each one. He had previously worked in security and I have a friend that I mentioned earlier in the security business that I contacted and got him an interview this morning. Velyn helped his wife put her resume together and helped her to apply for a job online.  She also had an interview today. 

I had another person that used to be the sales manager of a huge oil company that went bankrupt, and he has been without work for 3 years. It will be a challenge to find a good job for him. He and his family went from a 6-digit job to Meals on Wheels. He was extremely discouraged, and I certainly can't blame him. 

I spoke with another man that has a young family and used to be a corrections officer.  He got into an argument with a female officer and to get even with him she accused him of sexual assault. Needless to say, he lost his job, and has a felony, even though he didn't have to go to jail because of lack of proof. It still leaves a huge black mark on his background check making it difficult to get a job. He has been working at fast food restaurants just to bring in a few dollars. I'm hoping to get him on with the security company as well.

Now that I have gotten everyone cheered up, I have another story to tell about the restroom in Deseret Industries. I noticed that one of the stalls in the Men's room had an "Out of Order" sign on it. I asked the manager what the problem was since it hadn't been in service for two weeks. They have to put in a work order and wait for someone to come to fix it. It turns out that one of DI employees dropped his radio in the toilet and flushed it before he realized what had happened. I had this strange feeling come over me, and had a strong urge to put on one of my shoulder length  plastic sleeves and solve the issue. I am really good at being able to feel things in dark and mysterious places.  But alas, I forgot to bring any long plastic gloves with me just in case an emergency came up. Once the plumber came, that is exactly what he did to retrieve the radio. I could have saved them a bunch of money if I had been prepared. The radio still works but only dirty words come out so they had to throw it away. 

We are extremely busy with managing the employment center and also teaching English Connect classes. I just barely finished preparing my lesson for tomorrow night and have run out of time.  I will try to set aside more time for my next post. We love all of you and hope things are going well for everyone.