At that time , I had no job , no car and completing job applications daily for every suitable position . I didn ’ t see any results . I needed to be productive ; I insured that while working on helping myself , I ’ d help others as well . An opportunity came within a phone call , and I became excited at its prospects . The call I received came from an outreach program ’ s director that asked me to assist at best , exoffenders with their preparations of much needed résumé ’ s . I felt honored by being asked and entrusted to help . I walked a half mile to and from the bus stop many days in all manners of weather due to the needs of people I ’ d never known , and it felt great . I took regular old Amy , to every meeting . I showed them that by Grace , I was saved from the same experiences such as theirs . I let them know , that I ’ m aware of real life , and by His grace , they would not be bound by their past .
During my time volunteering within this program , I built résumé ’ s for exoffenders . Unfortunately , I found that most were never submitted . Yet there was one gentleman who stayed consistent . His pursuance lead to him obtaining his desired position . I felt grateful that the skills I was literally given to empower myself , was used to empower someone else . I still remember the glow of dignity and accomplishment that adorned that man as he left the office .
A phone call came for me and I was offered a job interview . The position was not one that would sustain a monthly rent with utilities , but it was an income . I went to the interview and they offered me the position , which I gratefully accepted . There was a sense sadness felt , as I notified the outreach director of my newly obtained employment . Only GOD knows how happy I was to walk the same half mile to and from the bus stop , this time to earn money . Only GOD knows how , but my part time quickly turned to a full time position .
Even with my decreased spare time , I continued to help people with their résumé ’ s within the Hampton Roads Community . The same people that I ’ d completed résumés for returned to me to request I do it over for them . They had lost the first prepared résumés . I reprinted on résumé ’ paper within matching shaded folders , preparing them for their face to face interview , and some folks would lose them . I stopped providing free assistance , but I requested donations of no set amount . Funny how when I insisted on this , no one seemed to need assistance any longer .
I prayed because once again , and my computer skills were sitting dormant in 2014 . To me , having skills and not using them is wasteful . I was again , back in front of my computer screen , staring at it . I prayed asking GOD to allow me to use my computer skills to increase my finances . He gave me the word “ Stationery ” I created stationery designs and posted each design onto my Facebook page . I threw the dice and became an entrepreneur in the later part of year 2015 , and immediately after , experienced my first embarrassing mistake .
Thank you so much for spending your time reading of my experiences “ Within My Ordered Steps ” I will continue sharing my journey with you , in the January 2017 issue of “ MORE Magazine .”
Amy O . Williams is the CEO and budding entrepreneur of Cast the Net Signage .