Jennifer was in a rough spot. She had been laid off from her job in March, her stepson was killed in May and she received her 3rd DUI—officially a felony—in June. COVID was rampant, but at least she was still collecting unemployment. She waited until her sentencing the following January before looking for work.
Jennifer Frazer came from a background in hospitality and retail. But as she grew older, it was harder and harder to hustle tables for tips. The money wasn’t consistent, and as she put it, “people steal your sparkle.” After her sentencing, she found a job at a gas station in Battle Creek. But she had to drive back to the Grand Rapids area for her court-required sobriety courses and the gas money didn’t make it worth it. She also worked as the house manager at an adult foster care home. “That was my dream job,” she said. But it had no benefits, and the pay was not a wage she could live on.
Having a 2nd shift job was necessary for Jennifer. She had both court-ordered therapy sessions and sobriety court obligations in the day. Finding something on the bus line or “not too far for Uber rates” was also necessary since she no longer had a driver’s license.
She did have some manufacturing experience and tried to find work there. But with her felony, it was hard to find. She had some press operator experience and heard that Pridgeon and Clay (P&C) needed someone. They paid a livable wage and offered benefits, including a 401K. She also heard they were somewhat more felon-friendly, so she applied. But like everywhere else, she received no response.
Then something happened that changed her employment situation big-time. She was scrolling through her Facebook newsfeed and an ad for The Job Post randomly popped up. She responded to the ad and within the hour Bruce Keen reached out to her.
“When he called, I just spilled the beans,” she said. “I think I was open and honest with him because of the therapy I was going through, otherwise I might not have told him everything [about my past]. It’s hard to tell your story when you’re ashamed of it.”
“There was no judgment from [Bruce at The Job Post]. He listened carefully and then went to work to help me find a job.”
“Bruce was so wonderful and accommodating,” she continued. “There was no judgment from him. He listened carefully and then went to work to help me find a job.”
Then, as she put it, “The Stars Aligned!” Less than 24 hours later, Bruce called her up and said, “how about 2nd shift at P&C?”
“I had told him I needed 2nd shift and something on the bus line, but had never mentioned P&C,” Jennifer said. “But I ended up with the job!”
A job is one thing but recovering from an alcohol addiction is another. “I knew I had to quit drinking but with everything in my personal life going on, it was hard,” Jennifer said. “My felony forced me to take a good, long, hard look at my life and the direction it was going. My kids. My grandkids. What’s important,” she said.
Jennifer actually quit drinking for 7 years about 15 years ago. “You become a ‘dry drunk,’ she said, “not drinking but not resolving the reasons for the drinking. I was sober but bitter, resentful, and had not fixed anything.”
She had gone to therapy then, but it was for a different issue. This time her therapy is focused on her real reasons for drinking.
“I have days where I feel I’ve wasted many years. But I cannot change the past. I’m working very hard with my therapist. She has been phenomenal, and I will be sad when sobriety court is done because that pays for my therapy.”
She still can’t say she is glad about her 3rd offense, “But then again I am because I would not be where I am today. It’s a lot of hard work.”
As part of her recovery, Jennifer attends AA meetings regularly. “Surrounding myself with like-minded people who understand and do not judge at those meetings is very helpful,” she said.
“For The Job Post to be a part of Guiding Light holds a special place in my heart.”
“I chat with the people from Guiding Light at every AA meeting. For The Job Post to be a part of Guiding Light holds a special place in my heart since I’ve had my own experiences in the Heartside area downtown. I personally know George Hartwell and others. Most agencies are collaborating because there is such a need down there. It breaks my heart to see everyone so displaced.”
“But there are positive changes going on and I think that’s great too,” she added.
AA also talked about a higher power and that started resonating with Jennifer. “Growing up I felt like religion was forced down my throat,” she said. “I always believed in God but eventually stopped talking to Him. At least until recently. It’s very important now.”
She gets up every morning and reads reflections, thanks God for another day of sobriety, and asks him to take what she cannot handle and give her strength to handle what she can. “Spirituality has come back to me, but in a different way. It’s a personal relationship with God now,” she said. “And I’m learning to live simpler.”
Since being hired at P&C Jennifer has her driver’s license back, purchased a car, and moved back to her house in the suburbs. She enjoys her 12-year-old pit bull/pug named ‘Frankie Lynn’—a compromise when her kids wanted to name her “Franklyn”—and her roommate’s dog ‘Zoey,’ who is “120 lb. of pure love”.
Jennifer is still subject to random drug tests required by Sobriety Court. During her training at P&C she had to work the day shift and the test window was during her work hours. P&C worked with her schedule to accommodate the tests and she feels they have been very supportive. She’s also received an increase in salary since she started working there. “It’s dirty, greasy work and you need a mechanical brain,” she said.
“If it wasn’t for The Job Post and Bruce, I wouldn’t be where I am… [they] are exactly what I needed at that time. I am so thankful.”
“Not that many women like to do this kind of work, but it’s the job I really wanted. There’s good overtime and they offer benefits,” she said. “I also have an opportunity coming up to move to a new department and train on both presses.”
“If it wasn’t for The Job Post and Bruce, I wouldn’t be where I am at P&C,” Jennifer said. “I never even met him and was hired through email. Yet he holds a warm spot in my heart and is exactly what I needed at that time. I am so thankful.”
The word is getting around town that Guiding Light is serious about putting people back to work. We do the hard work of breaking down the barriers that prevent someone from getting a job.
The Job Post is our onsite staffing company – our very own social enterprise that serves the staffing needs of local businesses and the men and women who come in looking for work.
The Job Post
255 Division Ave S
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 214-7991
Hours
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 4PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed