Episode notes
"Confidence doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built one experience at a time." In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley sits down with a participant from the W.O.R.K.S. Employment Services Program to talk about what learning, working, and community look like through Restoring Hope’s daily programming. From working at a dog boarding and daycare to volunteering at a shelter and designing custom t-shirts, this conversation captures the joy, humor, and growth that come from finding purpose and connection.
We talk about:
- Learning responsibility through animal care and volunteering
- Making drinks and custom shirts at the Excel program
- Building confidence and communication on the job
- Why working with animals teaches patience and empathy
- The value of community, friendship, and belonging