Maricella

Maricella, 26, worked for Promiseland Ministries helping to provide job training to the Hispanic population of Little Rock. When the program ran out of funding last September, Maricella was laid off. She worked at a video store and at Sam’s Club making pizzas until she was rehired by Promiseland Ministries as a part-time employee. She has kept her job at the video store to make ends meet.

My Story
I was devastated when I found out that Promiseland Ministries ran out of funding. We provide essential resources to the rapidly growing Hispanic population in Little Rock. Our assistance and training allows them to become productive members of society.

This job really gave my life direction. When I graduated from high school, I worked as department manager trainee for Wal-Mart, but I knew I wanted more. I joined the Marine Corps to fund my education. I met my husband in the Marines and went with him to Japan, which is where I went to college. When we moved back, he decided that he wanted a divorce.

My job is so fulfilling. It helped me through the divorce and has become more than just a job. I love feeling like I am doing the community a service through my work.

I had just bought a house when I was laid-off, so I needed to find another job fast. I found the job at the video store first, and my brother helped me get the Sam’s job. He also moved in with me to help with expenses.

I’m glad to be working again at Promiseland Ministries, even though it is only part-time. Jobs are scarce, and those that are available aren’t good jobs. I’m going to keep my video store job…just in case. It was too hard to find that job to let it go.

Unemployment in the country needs to be addressed now. It’s not going to go away on its own.