Erin Ahfua
Internship and Employment Services Manager
Erin Afua has been working at Valley Cities since 2016 and has served in Employment Services as a specialist and now manager since 2019. “I love helping people become successful in what they choose to do,” she said.
Erin and her team work closely with the clients care team to make sure clients maintain success in their employment. They provide vocational counseling, benefits planning, job placement and retention support. They assist clients with developing their resume, cover letter and coach them for the interview process. They also assist clients with understanding what accommodations they need and help them advocate for themselves with employers.
Erin loves seeing people find employment because it is such an important part of the recovery process. “Work provides the person with a purpose,” she said, “it helps increase self-esteem, accountability and gives people a sense of accomplishment.”
“Work provides the person with a purpose”
Once a client starts a job, the Vocational Specialist supports the client with maintaining their job though 9 months of continued services including onboarding support and help adjusting to the new job and its impact on the client’s life.
The success of the program can be summed up best in the words of Laraine E., who says they learned to value their skills and experience. “My job coach has genuinely taught me how to believe in myself so that I no longer am looking for just any job, but seeking a meaningful career path that I can continue to pursue. I now realize barriers too.
