FULFILLING DREAMS - Tacoma Goodwill

Through SCSEP, the sun
has come again and
dreams are coming true
for one participant.
At age 64, Gretchen “Wendy” Harris had to stop working due to
progressive sight loss from macular degeneration. After 30 years in
the accounting, banking and defense contracting fields she was no
longer able to work. In time, Harris grew unhappy and felt “useless”.
Then a new Goodwill store announced it was opening in her home
town of Sequim and Wendy applied for a job. The follow-up she
received was through the Senior Community Service Employment
Program (SCSEP). The program helps older workers to get temporary,
subsidized training with non profit and government agencies.
Wendy was placed at the Sequim Goodwill store as a book stocker.
Through SCSEP, Harris learned that there were accommodations
that could help her perform a variety of duties.
“I didn’t know how to dream
before entering the program.”
The following year Harris was assigned to the Vision Loss Center in
Port Angeles as a receptionist trainee and was promoted last fall to
office manager trainee. In her humble manner, Harris credits Sequim
store staff, her trainers and the SCSEP program for her success. “It’s
hard to explain,” Harris states. “I thought my life was over. SCSEP
interrupted that. It’s a window into a life I didn’t know I’d ever have
again. It’s amazing…just amazing.”