"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt What makes work worth doing? Is it to put food on the table and a roof over your head? Does it mean that you can own your home and car, and that you can send your kids to college? Does it provide you with a sense of accomplishment, and give you pride in a job well done? Work worth doing is all of these things - and more. Meet Elizabeth: With four children at home and a strong desire to "be independent," Elizabeth turned to HIRED for help making a change. Elizabeth says, "I always knew what I wanted, but I just didn't know how to get there. HIRED helped show me the way." Working closely with her employment counselor, Elizabeth enrolled in one of HIRED's 12-week programs that helps participants build skills and adapt their job-seeking strategies to meet the changing needs of a competitive job market. "I took computer classes, went through interview training, and was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses," says Elizabeth. "I knew I wanted a job where I'd be able to help people...I wanted to work with a purpose." After completing the program orientation, Elizabeth was placed in an internship with a social service agency in St. Paul, while working nights at SuperAmerica. "It was rough," she says. "I wanted a full-time job - a job with benefits, with regular hours - but I knew I had to take it one step at a time." Her patience paid off: Elizabeth was ultimately offered a full-time job, working in an affordable housing program. "I feel like I have my independence back," says Elizabeth. "I can provide for my family, and I get to set an example for my kids every day. And - just like I always wanted - I got a job helping people. I got my work with a purpose." HIRED helped over 9,000 people like Elizabeth find jobs this year. We serve youth, disadvantaged adults, low-income families, and dislocated workers throughout Hennepin, Ramsey and Dakota Counties.