The talents and work ethic of Mary Beth Gibson were recognized in September by her promotion to Program Specialist for our International Falls division.
With a degree in Business Administration Management and over 18 years experience in various performance, training and development, and operations management positions, Mary brings her experience and passion to ODC with goals to advance programming.
Catching up with Mary after four months on the job, she had some valuable insights to share on her role and the community.
One of the concepts that taking this role helped Mary realize and better understand was the idea that “our persons served do not need my help, they need my support.”
She continued: “As a small and isolated community, it can be challenging to provide the necessary opportunities for our people to find integrated employment.”
One of the main goals for this division is to expand programs further into the broader community of International Falls.
Mary explained: “We support local businesses with services that include confidential document disposal and on-demand task crews ready to fill in on short-term assignments like filling large orders for a publishing company.”
There is a drive to expand the awareness of these available temporary work services, along with sourcing business partnerships to increase options for individuals to work within the community.
“My overall goal for this division is to see our persons served become an integral part of this society, to participate and be recognized for all the strengths they bring to our workforce locally,” Mary said.
Also within her wheelhouse is the development and mentoring of division staff, along with creating a more engaging and enjoyable space for clients of HTC services.
When asked about some of the changes she wants to bring to the division, she discussed one she had made right away: “The overall environment of this HTC. I have taken down the walls, literally, and opened the building up to create a more free and inviting feeling to our persons served.”
A recent success in finding community employment for an HTC individual with a company that hadn’t previously partnered with ODC has Mary looking forward to forging future relationships with a variety of businesses in the area.
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