All clients in both Applewood Transitions for Young Women and Journey Transitions for Young Men are currently employed.  This is quite an accomplishment given the current economic environment, which is being impacted by a global pandemic.  Unemployment numbers seem to be climbing in many parts of the country, but the staff of Q&A have worked hard to secure employment opportunities for their young adult clients.  “Having a job – a real job – is the cornerstone of the life skills curriculum,” said Marci Jones, Lead Life Coach and Student Services Coordinator.  Clients enrolled in Applewood and Journey gain real-life experience in areas where they have struggled such as budgeting, planning/critical thinking, findling life-work balance, executive functioning, and developing healthy personal and professional boundaries.  Getting and maintaining solid employment is integral to this process.

When clients enroll in Applewood or Journey, they immediately begin the process of learning and practicing these skills.  Each client opens an account at the local community bank where the leadership and staff are happy to partner with the staff of Q&A to assist the young adults as they learn true banking and budgeting skills; this is just one example of the important and successful community partnerships Q&A has developed and maintained over the years.  Canaan Valley Resort State Park and Conference Center is also a long-standing partner, providing a variety of employment opportunities to the clients of Q&A.  This year, thanks to the new leadership at Timberline Mountain Resort, this business has become an additional community partner for Q&A.  The Dollar General Store and the Shop-n-Save Grocery in Davis, WV, are also good partners, providing the clients with opportunities in their stores ranging from clerk to assistant manager.  “We are so blessed to have the support of our community businesses,” said Angie Shockley, Founder and CEO, “Without these partners, the clients would not be able to have real experiences or real-life practice while they are enrolled with us, and our goal is to help each client reach complete independence before they leave us.”

While some local Tucker County businesses are experiencing financial struggles due to Covid impacts, most have found alternative methods of operation, so they are looking for employees who are consistent, hard-working, and open to learning.  “Our clients fit the needs of the local businesses,” continued Jones, “because they have coaching and external supports to help them manage through difficult situations that all employees encounter in work environments; our clients are malleable and eager to learn new things.”

Having all clients of Applewood and Journey fully employed is a great achievement and sets the stage for effective programming and opportunities for success with each client.

About Q&A Family of Programs

Q&A Family of Programs works with young adults ages 18 and up, providing opportunities for each of them to develop independent, functional, and happy lives with a high level of quality. Our clients have struggled to reach independence for a variety of reasons such as the inability to develop and/or implement the life skills needed to be successful, or struggling to obtain consistent employment. Our goal is to help these individuals find meaning and an authentic purpose for their lives and a practical path to achieve their goals.