By Kathy Medved
Cynthia volunteers in MVK’s Career and Education Center as an employer liaison, helping Coachella Valley companies see the benefits of hiring MVK residents. She is a retired attorney from Elmira, New York, whose work was primarily handling environmental and construction disputes. She has always known the importance of supporting non-profits and has worked on boards and committees of organizations such as Girl Scouts and Legal Aid. She also spent many years helping disabled people find employment.
She and her husband, Phil Hunter, had vacationed “out west” several times and even became part-time residents in the Coachella Valley for a few years. Recognizing their true love for the area, they decided to make La Quinta their full-time home in June, 2010. Cynthia immediately looked for a way to be of service in her new community. A neighbor-friend, Dan Luttrell, who volunteered at the Career Center at Martha's Village & Kitchen, encouraged her to look into volunteering there.
After talking with Charles and Claudia in the MVK Career Center, she realized that with her experience in finding work for the handicapped, she could be of real assistance helping the people here find employment. She feels that the homeless living at Martha's Village & Kitchen can be distinguished from other homeless individuals in the extensive training they receive in managing their relationships, money and time as well as classes in computer use, interview techniques and work ethics. “I am thankful for this opportunity to work at Martha's Village & Kitchen’s Career and Education Center and appreciate the excellent training and patience that I have received.”
She likes volunteering at Martha's Village & Kitchen because of the Career Center’s focus on helping people reach a sustainable lifestyle, which is far beyond providing food and a bed. “I am so impressed with the staff’s dedication to this goal!” She hopes she can help spread the word about MVK’s true purpose as she builds company partnerships.
Cynthia can be reached in the Career Center, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 760-347-4741 x 322 or cyndi.hutchinson@neighbor.org.
Kathy Medved is a member of the Charitable Giving Team at Martha's Village & Kitchen |
