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What Matters
United Way partner program opens a new
door and offers a new beginning
By Melina Shama,
United Way Marketing Intern

Waleska "Wally" Davila made a 180- degree turn from receiving services from a United Way partner program to becoming the United Way Campaign Coordinator at Atlantic City Linen Supply. Wally is now giving back to her community by being the face of success. Wally feels that the most frustrating thing is that when something bad happens to you or your family you are unsure where to turn for help. Now she is able to inform her co-workers and friends of the services that are available and the importance of giving back, because you never know when you might need a helping hand.

Over the past ten years Wally has faced some difficult challenges since an on-the-job injury occurred. She applied for worker's compensation, which in turn referred her to OIC of New London County, a United Way partner program, to receive additional support and training. Lisa Russ at OIC recalls, "Wally had a lot of bumps in the road when she was at OIC, it was touch and go for awhile. But she persevered and that is thanks to her hard work and dedication."

The mission of OIC of New London County is to train the unemployed and the underemployed so each individual will obtain a valuable educational experience of the highest quality. Their goal is to instill pride in oneself and provide training for all who want to help themselves. Their philosophy of self-help and their unique system of developing the whole person enables individuals to become self-sufficient and productive workers in various employment settings. OIC helped Wally gain and improve valuable skills that enhanced her self-motivation to pursue a career that gives her satisfaction and pride in helping to support her family.

"The door was closed and OIC opened it for me," Wally says. She recalls that OIC not only helped her receive an education and gain skills to further her career dreams, they nurtured her as a whole person. "They helped me with groceries for my family, school issues, social and personal problems, and most importantly, finding a stable job."

Wally no longer receives any assistance and is employed at Atlantic City Linen Supply Company (ACLS) in Norwich. "They gave her a chance and she has blossomed," Lisa Russ of OIC says. The company operates in the hospitality industry providing first-class laundry service programs to meet the needs of the commercial laundry market. Wally helps service this growing industry by providing high quality Human Resource management services to ACLS and their customers, but the most important job role to Wally is helping her co-workers and employees when needed. Wally says that she loves her job and the people she works with on a day-to-day basis and has made lasting relationships.

Waleska Davila received a Chairman's Award for Best New Coordinator of the Year for the work she has done on ACLS' campaign to benefit United Way. Great job, Wally!