Wilma Jean Thompson has been a New York City Housing Authority resident for 33 years. After six months of searching for work, Ms. Thompson learned about an exciting employment opportunity for NYCHA residents at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Ms. Thompson discovered this opportunity by attending an information session held at the Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center – a partner in the Lincoln Center Collaborative. At the information session, which was hosted by NYCHA's Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability, a Lincoln Center Human Resources representative shared information about available job opportunities located just down the street from where Ms. Thompson lives at Douglass Houses.

Lincoln Center was hiring for Utility Porters, who are responsible for the maintenance and clean-up of the Lincoln Center Performing Arts campus. The opportunity to apply for this full-time job with health and retirement benefits and flexible hours was too good for Ms. Thompson – a mother of two - to pass up. After participating in several pre-screening interviews, a two-day training with NYCHA and several rounds of competitive interviews with Lincoln Center, Ms. Thompson was hired in December 2010 as a Utility Porter. 

Ms. Thompson loves her new job. The location is convenient, she is working for one of the greatest cultural institutions in the world, and her schedule allows her the flexibility that she needs to care for her family. When describing her new job, Ms. Thompson says, "It is hard work that is rewarding and in the end my co-workers and I know how to get the job done."