At Dreams for Change, Francine Maxwell brings both structure and heart to her role as an Employment Specialist, helping participants move toward employment with confidence, clarity, and a renewed sense of possibility.
“We meet people where they are,” she said. “We talk about barriers, we unpack them, and then we start building forward.”
A typical week begins with connection. Francine meets new trainees by asking simple yet powerful questions:
“What are your goals? What are your dreams? What made you happy as a kid?”
From there, the work begins.
“I want to plant a seed,” she explained. “Sometimes that looks like introducing someone to continuing education or helping them see that going back to school is possible. Then we move into making sure they have the tools to show up, stay engaged, and get the most out of the program.”
As participants work toward employment, barriers often surface quickly. One of the most common is transportation.
“You’re asking someone to commit to a training program, go to job fairs, show up consistently, and sometimes transportation alone can take up most of their paycheck,” she said. “So we work to remove that barrier where we can, whether that’s a transit pass or a gas card. We want them focused on moving forward.”
Confidence-building is a central part of Francine’s approach. Through one-on-one coaching, mock interviews, and even something as simple as a walk, she helps participants find their voice.
“Sometimes they’re overwhelmed, so we step outside, go for a walk, and talk,” she said. “They don’t even realize they’re giving me their elevator pitch. A few weeks later, they can walk into an interview and own that moment.”
Advocacy is also woven into her work, particularly when engaging with employers.
“I ask employers if they’re second-chance employers,” she said. “Most say yes, but then there’s a ‘but.’ That’s where the real conversation begins.”
Francine works closely with participants to help them navigate those moments with honesty and confidence.
“We teach people to tell their truth,” she said. “Not who they were, but who they are now. That shift changes everything.”
Preparation for employment goes beyond resumes and interviews. It includes ensuring participants feel ready in every sense, including how they present themselves.
“We help with clothing, building interview outfits, making sure they feel confident walking into a space,” she said. “It’s about helping them show up as their best self.”
For Francine, success is often found in small but powerful moments.
“When someone goes from not knowing what an elevator pitch is to delivering it with confidence in seconds, that’s a win,” she said. “That’s growth.”
Her work is deeply rooted in long-term support and relationship building.
“Sometimes people come back after they’ve completed the program because they hit a bump,” she said. “We’re still here. It’s about reminding them they’ve already done the hard work.”
That belief in people and their potential has shaped her own perspective.
“This work teaches you that everyone’s path is different,” she said. “There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to success. You meet people where they are, and you help them build from there.”
For those struggling to see their value, her message is clear:
“There’s something out there for you,” she said. “You just may not have been introduced to it yet. That’s what we’re here for. To help you see what’s possible.”is clear:
“There’s something out there for you,” she said. “You just may not have been introduced to it yet. That’s what we’re here for. To help you see what’s possible.”
