Before being laid off due to the pandemic, Wesley Powell worked in The Architecture, Engineering & Construction Department at the University of Maryland, Baltimore scanning and electronically filing blueprints.  Eager to get back to the work, he contacted our Business Services department hoping to find a new job utilizing his many office skills.

Our team found Wesley a paid internship position as an office assistant with FreeState Justice, a legal advocacy organization for Marylanders in the LGBTQ community. Due to limited staffing and the office closure, Wesley started out interning twice a week, scanning and archiving documents such as case files and legal mail, and data entry.

Wesley’s attention to detail, office skills, and willingness to step in wherever needed was invaluable, and he was offered a permanent position that is now up to 30 hours a week and has additional responsibilities. Wesley is typically very quiet; however, he was overcome with excitement when he received the news.

* The Arc recently honored Wesley as their Self-Advocate of the Year at their Annual Meeting and Awards Reception