Norwood News

The current economic downturn inspired Miriam Seminario, the parent coordinator at PS 94 in Norwood, to create a job readiness program to help her unemployed parents.

“The economy is not very good and some of these parents can’t find jobs,” said Seminario. “I decided my parents need some kind of training.”

Seminario partnered with Dress for Success, a national organization that provides low-income women with professional attire, and Ridgewood Savings Bank in Norwood, to present afternoon workshops that started in February. Almost all of the 45 participants who started the program completed it last week. The workshops covered resume writing, interview techniques and job hunting.

Last Thursday afternoon, in the school’s sun-drenched library, parents attended their sixth and final session of the program. Recruiters from the Bronx division of Building Educated Leaders for Life (BELL), a national organization that works with children from low-income and urban communities, facilitated the session and provided tips for a successful interview.

During the final session, Afruza Shah, 44, who has a son in the fourth grade, practiced walking into an office and greeting the receptionist. After Shah’s long introduction, BELL recruiter Timothy Coleman gave Shah tips on how to improve her interaction. “It was very helpful,” said Shah afterwards. “I did big mistake. … Now I could do it. I feel comfortable.”

The program helped Rahala Yasmin, 33, who has two daughters at PS 94, prepare for an interview. “They speak very clearly about everything,” she said. “We wish every year [they will have] this program.”

Victor Schotte, an educational consultant who facilitated several workshops, said now the women are ready to look for employment. “They want to work,” he said. “There is this frustration because they are teachers in their countries,” he said, referring to many of the mothers from Bangladesh. Schotte tells them to “be patient.”

On May 2, Seminario is organizing a career fair for the parents who completed the job readiness program. Grace Institute, BELL Recruiting, and Lehman College will be some of the companies recruiting potential employees.

Shah hopes she’s one of them. “Everyone wants and needs a job,” she said.