Resident Spotlight - Mrs. Ida Bell Williams

Our star resident for this month is Ms. Ida Bell Williams.  She is a young lady who is willing to take that first step in making a difference in her life.  Ms. Ida is working at the Lodge Guest Housing at Fort Benning in the housekeeping department.  She is very excited about the new job she began on August 25th, 2003.

Ms. Williams first heard about the Community and Supportive Services (CSS) Program during a tenant meeting in early June. She called and got an appointment with Family Advocate, Richard Wells, Jr.  During their first meeting, Ms. Ida talked about how much she loved to clean.  “The only work I have ever done is clean. I like to see things shine.”  She said she wanted to get a job cleaning so she could be on her own and become an “independent woman”!

Ms. Ida enrolled in the Goodwill Industries Janitorial Certification Program.  Her first day of classes was on July 14, 2003. The class lasted six weeks and involved very intense training.  The class instructor, Mr. Larry Thornton, states “Ms. Ida Williams was a delight to have in class.”  There were six students in her class and all six classmates interviewed and were hired for jobs upon graduation! Ms. Ida states, “Mr. Larry taught us how to clean by procedures and how to do things right. He is a good instructor and was like the father I never had.”

Ms. Ida received four separate certificates in different areas of cleaning.  She is very proud of her job and the work she is doing, but does not plan to stop there. Her goal is to become a supervisor and have her own cleaning business.  Ms. Ida says “if I can get out there and do something with my life at my age, then anyone can!”   One of the first things Mr. Larry told them when they started classes remains in her thoughts today:  “If there is anything you want to do and something is keeping you from doing it, you need to put it in the garbage—no matter what it is”.

Her whole life has changed since the class.  She wants to establish an account at the Credit Union, build her credit and savings, and work towards having a home of her own!  Congratulations, Ms. Ida, keep up the great work!