International Workforce Program Developed
Jamaica interns with J-1 visas arriving this month.
Chivonne Campell
An idea generated before the pandemic hit finally becomes reality this month, as 34 interns arrive from Jamaica with J-1 visas in hand. They’re approved to work for one year at Western Home Communities through the U.S. State Department’s Exchange Visitor Program, started in 1961.
“We’re the first senior living organization we know of to apply this existing visa program to our profession,” says CEO Kris Hansen, who started exploring the development of an international workforce several years ago. “It’s really a win-win, because it helps us combat workforce shortages while providing interns with good wages and an excellent learning opportunity. We will learn from them as well.”
J-1 interns must be enrolled in a post-secondary college, university or training program, or they must have completed such a program within the past year.
Interns at Western Home Communities have hospitality job assignments in one of three areas: food and beverage (event staff, wait staff, dishwashing, service), culinary (cooking, kitchen operations) and front desk (customer service).
They’ll attend required orientation and trainings and receive the same wages as other employees in their roles. Participants will pay rent for a shared room at the Stanard Family Center on the downtown campus, previously an assisted living community until fall 2021.
Director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Norman Grant directs the effort and oversees the participants. The Jamaica native first came to the U.S. on a J-1 visa more than 20 years ago. He traveled back to Jamaica in February to interview candidates.
“I can’t wait for our interns to arrive,” enthuses Norman. “They’re passionate about getting here and working and learning. The J-1 program changed my life and I’m sure it will do the same for them.”
The interns accepted by Western Home Communities range in age from 21 to 41. All of them speak English, the official language of Jamaica. Most also speak Jamaican patois, derived from Spanish, English and African influences.
A few of the interns are highlighted here for a pre-arrival introduction. Be sure to give them a rousing Western Home Communities welcome when they get to Cedar Falls later this month.
Updates on arrival date and more information can be found at WesternHomeCommunities.org/ international.
Roger Lester
Roger Lester
Cooking has always been a passion for me. I’ve been a chef for almost ten years, working mostly in five-star hotels. Right now what I’m looking forward to is coming there and learning different cuisines. This opportunity is a wonderful opportunity. I’m super excited about it. I can’t wait to get there to see what I can learn and what I can give. This is going to be an experience of a lifetime.
Christine Stewart
Christine Stewart
I am a hardworking person, enthusiastic. I have been in hospitality for a while, five years. I am actually a waitress; sometimes I’ll supervise the floor for my supervisor if she’s absent or not able to do so. I strongly believe in helping persons. I believe in diversity and I strongly believe that I can share my culture and background with persons there and also learn from their culture and background as well.
Chivonne Campbell
The reason why I chose customer service is due to the fact that I have experienced not being treated how I expect to be treated at a business or anywhere you go to get a particular service and that is mainly because the employees, they lack customer service skills. My aim is to sharpen my skills because to be honest when you go to a business, you’re not only representing yourself but you’re representing the business as well.