Cynthia Essary
My name is Cynthia Essary; I am a voter and a taxpayer. In May of 2010, I interviewed for a snack shop position at my clinic. Much to my surprise, they offered me a position as snack shop supervisor. I immediately felt pride and a newfound confidence in myself. Obviously, someone saw something in me that I was too blind to see in myself.
As a supervisor, I am responsible for training other employees working at Partners In Recovery’s East Valley campus. I am also trusted with balancing the daily receipts and in charge of shopping and restocking the inventory for the snack shop. The more responsibility I’ve been given, the more I succeed and the better I feel about myself. My self-esteem is the highest I remember it being in many, many years.
Before long, I noticed I was being more encouraging and complimentary to the people that I supervised. I’ve realized this is how people thrive and strive to do better. The happier THEY felt, the better I felt because we had formed a great working environment. The happier we were in the snack shop—the more productive we all became.
Five months after I was hired, I was offered the experience of interviewing potential employees. As other employees transitioned into permanent employment in the community, openings at the snack shop became available. I am proud that I know how to interview new employees and help them gain employment so that they too can feel the positive effects of working.
As people learned skills, they became ready and equipped to work in the world with confidence and pride in themselves.
My past career was in the medical field. I worked with 13 orthopedic surgeons. I became ill and was diagnosed with serious mental illness 15 years ago and was unable to cope or work in the capacity that I was trained to do. Because of the positive interaction that I receive in a job I love, I am now able to work again. At the end of the day I ask myself, “How do I feel about myself and how did I interact with everyone?” That is the power of employment!
It is important that there be more employment opportunities for people in recovery. My life is no longer centered on the “destination,” but on the journey!
