Work Opportunities Opens Fourth Maryland Office to Meet Demand for Services
Appoints Director Chessa Ormond to Lead New Market
DOVER, N.H., July 9, 2018—To meet the growing demand for its services in the Baltimore, Maryland area, Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) divided its Maryland Central market in half. The organization will now serve the Annapolis, Linthicum, Anne Arundel, Howard County, and Columbia region from its new office in Annapolis and appointed Chessa Ormond as director of the new market, effective July 1. Roseline Ifidon will continue in her role as director of the Baltimore office, serving Baltimore City and Baltimore County. WOU’s two other Maryland offices serve Montgomery County and Prince Georges County.
WOU is a community-based employment service provider specializing in placing job seekers who experience barriers to employment. In fiscal year 2018, the Maryland Central market realized a 35% increase in referrals and placed more than 200 candidates in positions over the past two years. Splitting the market will allow the teams to build stronger relationships with local employers and better serve candidates seeking opportunities within their communities.
Chessa Ormond joined Work Opportunities in October of 2017 and has been cross-training in several positions to prepare her for her role as director. Regarding Ormond’s appointment to lead the new office, Regional Director Iskedar Ayalew said, “Chessa has exceeded all of our expectations. Though she has only been here eight months, she is a natural and it feels like she has been with us for years. She is incredibly dedicated to WOU’s mission and has a passion to secure desired outcomes for clients. She is hands on with client services and enjoys supporting her team in the field.”
Ormond graduated from the University of Maryland University College with a bachelor’s degree in arts and humanities. Before joining Work Opportunities, she spent 10 years with the YMCA, serving in various leadership roles in Rhode Island and Maryland. Most recently, she was Operations Director, responsible for hiring and managing a staff of 120 to serve more than 300 campers each summer season.
“I’m honored to be chosen to lead this new market,” Ormond commented. “Work Opportunities instills in its people the importance of placing candidates with longevity in mind, and that can only be achieved by spending the time with each job seeker to figure out what will make that person happy. It’s truly inspiring to see so many of our clients love what they do, and I am thrilled to be working alongside a team that understands how a person-centered focus, especially with those who face barriers in employment, is so impactful.”
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About Work Opportunities Unlimited
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Dover, N.H. with operations throughout the eastern United States, Work Opportunities Unlimited (WOU) is a community-based employment service provider specializing in placing job seekers who experience barriers to employment. The company has grown from one person to a workforce of hundreds that serves thousands of adults and students annually. In addition to private citizens, WOU provides services to individuals referred by school districts, vocational rehabilitation programs, development disability agencies, the Massachusetts Departments of Mental Health, Transitional Assistance, and Children and Families, as well as the U.S. Social Security Administration through the Ticket to Work program. For information, visit www.workopportunities.net.
Media Contact:
Ryan Mountain, Vice President
Work Opportunities Unlimited
603-767-6948
RMountain@WorkOpportunities.net
