Annastacia Moore, a 29 year-old United States Army veteran and ex-offender, started Maryland New Directions’ Career Camp on October 6. Only a month later, she began training for a position as a residential counselor at the National Center on Institution and Alternatives in Baltimore.   

Ms. Moore’s successful job interview was during a field trip the last week of camp when all participants attend a job fair together to practice interview skills. Her interview went well enough to land the job! This was only supposed to be a practice.     

“Maryland New Directions helps you work on your personal skills to get ready for the job market,” she explained. Moore had previous employment experience as a Communications Specialist in Frederick, MD and was a certified nursing assistant. 

“It’s not just the job skills, but the life skills that help you really get ready to work. You build confidence, and get more in touch with yourself, so that you can be in a position to be comfortable enough to use your skills.” 

Ms. Moore is referring to the one-on-one counseling she received at Maryland New Directions. “I went to a lot of job services before I came to MND. I tried the Veterans and the Baltimore City one-stops. Maryland New Directions was the only place that I was even offered the chance to learn more about myself. I felt better about myself after the first week. They care about you and have specialists to give you the personal attention you need. I feel like they opened the doors to possibilities.” 

As an ex-offender, she is especially eager to share the experience with others who face employment barrier because of past offenses. “I want people to know that there is hope. You can be an ex-offender and still be accepted by employers and successful.” 

Ms. Moore’s counselors agree with her assessment. Career Counselor Kathy Stadler recalls that Annastacia kept to herself in the beginning and was very quiet, but by week two of career camp she was blossoming.

MND Director Grace Lee said that the first time she saw Ms. Moore in a workshop she was sitting with her arms folded and not involved. The next time she came into the room, a few days later, she saw a very animated and involved young woman. Maryland New Directions is truly a place where change happens. 

Career Camp at the 35 year-old agency is an award-winning, full three-week program of intensive career skills development to insure employment readiness. The program is especially created for those with past barriers to employment, such as incarceration or drug abuse, and to those with limited work experience. 

Annastacia Moore was successful in a very short time. Not everyone will move as quickly, but every client at MND has the opportunity to experience change.   

Moore’s story was recorded on November 14, 2008