Friendship House Women's Housing

I was a resident at this program twice, the first time was in the early 90’s when I wasn’t ready to change my life. However in 2010 I was interviewed for the program and to my surprise was accepted back. I was ready to change my life. The women’s transitional housing program is the best in Delaware hands down. The staff and the volunteers were awesome! These people really cared and promoted and assisted many women like myself. They helped to improve the quality of my life. After 13 months of participating in the program I successfully completed and moved out on my own. That was January 2012. In June 2012 I was contacted and offered a part time weekend position which I humbly accepted. I worked in that position until April 2015 and I enjoyed every minute of it. I filled in many times when they needed me even though I had a full time job and was also a full time student. During the time of my resignation I had a lot going on and so I made the painful decision to resign. I just recently contacted the Director of the women’s transitional program letting her know that a job would be contacting her for a reference for me. She emailed me and informed me that she could not provide a reference for me at this time. I’m still quite confused as to why she could not provide a PROFESSIONAL reference for an ex-employee who never received any written or verbal infractions. I guess because I haven’t been an active alumni that I am no longer entitled to employment verification. The job I’m applying for ask for only professional references from past supervisors/managers and they require you to go back 7 years. If I’m not mistaken this job feel under that time table so you can imagine how surprised and disappointed I was that my time spent employed at The Friendship House organization means nothing to the staff I worked with. Now for employment verification I have to go to the Federal Building and request transcripts for those years I worked. I do not wish to discourage anyone about this program because the bottom line is that they have had and continue to have a positive impact on the lives of many homeless men and women. I just thought it was important to share my experience just in case anyone is considering working for this organization. When you interview with them make sure you ask them what is their policy regarding providing employment verification and professional references if you decide to move on.nnLeakita Millner