Steve Volunteers to Help Avivo’s Job Club Program

When Steve Ludwig retired, he was given some unexpected, non-medical, advice from his doctor: Break free from that homogenous group of people you know, and meet new people with different experiences and economic backgrounds.

Steve took that advice when he started volunteering at Avivo’s St. Cloud location four years ago, a year removed from a successful architectural career that included his last 25 years spent working at St. Cloud State University.

“I hadn’t heard of Avivo until I read about them in the St. Cloud Times,” he says. “They wanted help for people preparing for job interviews and conducting job searches.”

Steve knew he could help. In his professional career he’d interviewed and hired a number of people.

“Steve’s been volunteering since we first opened this office four years ago, and he’s helped so many of our program participants find jobs.”

“He’s a gift to our organization,” says Jennifer Jimenez-Wheatley, Avivo program manager. “Steve’s been volunteering since we first opened this office four years ago, and he’s helped so many of our program participants find jobs.”

Steve started spending time with participants in Avivo’s Job Club program; people who are unemployed, or underemployed, and looking to make a positive step in their employment life.

“People come in and spend time in a computer lab to find jobs. Then they come see me, one at a time, and do mock employment interviews. They’ll also ask questions about resumes or other things.”

Steve enjoys the variety of professional and personal backgrounds of the people he meets. Some are looking for entry-level jobs, but some, he says, have a fair amount of work experience and are looking for something better.

He values the fact that his volunteer schedule can have flexibility if he needs it. Steve volunteers roughly once a month, and takes pride in learning that most of the people he met the previous month found jobs. He’s even run into people he’s helped at their new job. “A couple of times I’ve seen someone I did a mock interview with working somewhere in town,” he says. “That’s really satisfying.”

If you’re interested in volunteering at Avivo or finding out more about possible roles, please click the “Volunteer” link in the menu, or contact Rebecca.