“Wesley-Rankin saved my life and
allowed me to move beyond myself.”
- Maribel, age 20

Maribel’s Story

To Maribel Ramos, it is the little things in life that matter most. Today, Maribel proudly displays her Bank of America employee pin. Her pin is small, but her story is big and exemplifies how making a plan and sticking to it pays off.

Maribel first came to Wesley-Rankin two years ago in order to obtain her GED. Recently, she returned as a 20-year old, single mother of two, asking for guidance in finding employment. She knew she needed to find a job that would afford her opportunities for advancement, as well as benefits for herself and her family.

Knowing that banks were in need of bilingual employees, Maribel
set a goal to be hired as a bank teller. Wesley-Rankin’s Inside/ Out program seemed to be tailor made to assist Maribel. As an enthusiastic Inside/Out participant, she worked closely with Kathy Stutesman to achieve this goal.

Maribel worked from the ground up. Working on her verbal and written English skills, she utilized voice recognition software and a typing tutorial at Wesley-Rankin’s Computer Learning Center to improve her reading and typing skills. She typed up a resume, did Internet job searches, and applied online to several banks.

Her persistence was rewarded, and by the end of April she began orientation and training as a teller for Bank of America. Never losing sight of the “little things,” like the smile on her face and the pin on her shirt, Maribel credits Wesley-Rankin’s Inside/Out program for her new career, increased self-esteem, and help move on to the next level.