Women to Work program reaches thousands

SOUTHFIELD — Southfield resident Tracey Overstreet, 69, enrolled in the Women to Work program at Gesher Human Services last fall, looking for a fresh start after retiring from Chrysler and then holding positions at a glass factory and as a nanny for the past 11 years.

“She inspired me. She gave me that want to go. I didn’t want to miss one class,” Overstreet said of Judy Richmond, who has been the Women to Work coordinator at Gesher Human Services for around 15 years.

The Women to Work program is a free monthlong series that meets twice a week for eight sessions, offered in the winter, spring and fall at Gesher Human Services, 29699 Southfield Road. It has been around since the 1980s, originally as the “Displaced Homemakers” program. Women to Work aims to provide metro Detroit women with the skill set and confidence to secure the right job no matter their circumstances. Whether a life-changing event such as a divorce or death has occurred or a gap in a resume, Women to Work strives to create an encouraging environment and community-like atmosphere in the classroom.

“We have provided the tools that women need in order to conduct an active and successful job search,” Richmond said. “For example, we cover topics such as resume development, including cover letters, interviewing and practice, stress management, personal style, networking, social media, and we have some special presenters who are experts.”

Overstreet found a job in security halfway through the program. Despite working midnight shifts, she was committed to finishing the course because of Richmond’s positive impact and the strong sense of community with the other women in the course.

“We were all older and past our prime to get hired. She said, ‘No, you’re not.’ She really took the time with all of us in that class setting. And we all opened up to not just her but to each other. Believe it or not, some of the women are still interacting with one another and helping one another. It was a joy. One girl said, ‘I wait the whole weekend for this day to come,’” Overstreet said. “When Judy talks, it’s like she’s speaking to just one person. Because everything she said affected everybody in some way or another.”

Classes are held 9 a.m.-noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, with optional basic computer skills classes offered in the afternoon. The winter 2024 course will run Jan. 23- Feb. 15. The tentative dates for the next Women to Work are May 16-June 20, with registration opening in April.

“I’ve had as many as 22 women in one session, and the average probably is 12, 14 or so,” Richmond said. “We are able to accommodate people, even if the numbers seem a little exaggerated. We always find a way to accommodate the people who are interested in the program.”

Richmond urged anyone curious about enrolling in the program to attend an information session. For more information, contact Judy Richmond at (248) 233-4232 or jrichmond@geshermi.org.