Dec 3, 2024

The Associate Bringing Sunshine and Optimism to Deseret Industries

Finding a job can be a difficult process to navigate. Like many people who face employment challenges, Wendy was optimistic that there was an opportunity out there that could help her.   

“I was struggling to find opportunities in my employment,” Wendy says. “I talked to my friend, and he recommended that I work at DI.”  

Now, Wendy works at Deseret Industries, and she is loving her job. When asked what she enjoys about being a DI associate, Wendy can’t help but smile and laugh about her experiences. She feels that DI has provided a positive learning environment for gaining more skills and becoming a better employee.  

“This is probably the best place that I have worked my whole life,” Wendy says. “I like how they teach us to be better employees now and for future employment. I love the work training that I receive.”

DI associate hangs up donated clothes on clothing racks

Like all DI associates, Wendy has a job coach who helps her through the DI job training program. This program helps DI associates learn important employment habits and skills. Some of these skills include teamwork, organization, punctuality, and dependability. 

“My job coach really helps me,” Wendy says. ‘He pinpoints things that I need to work on so I can get better and better at my job.  We have a good professional relationship where we can communicate well with each other. I have learned I can trust the staff here at DI, and they can trust me.”

Thanks to this working relationship with her job coach, Wendy is developing the skills she needs to be a valuable employee. Even when she makes mistakes, Wendy uses those experiences as learning opportunities.  

“I am working on improving my time management,” Wendy says. “My team gives me chances to learn. They help me to be better and do better. Sometimes I get embarrassed when I make mistakes. But in the long run, I learn, and I work hard to do better.”

DI associate hangs up donated clothes on clothing racks

Because of this safe work environment, Wendy wants to come to work. She looks forward to connecting with her job coach and team members. DI has become more than a thrift store—it has become a place for Wendy to reach her potential.  

“Everyone here wants to work hard and work well together,” Wendy says. “The people are so nice and supportive. They help me do my best.” 

One of Wendy’s goals at DI is to learn as much as she can. She is leveraging her time as an associate to prepare for future employment and is currently interviewing for other jobs.  

“I want to take the skills I have learned here to my next job,” Wendy says. “I want to get back into the school system. I have experience with kids and education.” 

Wendy is among the many DI associates utilizing the DI job training program to create better lives for themselves. Learn how you can donate to Deseret Industries to support associates like Wendy.