NTI Offers Powell a Vehicle for Success
July 2023
By Michael Hardman
Johnice Powell had a transportation problem. When she went back to work part-time, the Baltimore resident was faced with a two-hour commute, which included a bus and a light-rail train. Fortunately, LandAjob, a division of NTI, had an answer for her.
“I had to be at work at 8 a.m. and the buses aren’t reliable, so I had to get up at 5 a.m. and it took me two hours to get to work,” said Powell, 51. “I had a 20-hour commuter every week. LandAjob helped me get a car.”
While she was receiving SSDI, there wasn’t enough money to go around. LandAjob was there to help her cover expenses that allowed her to solve her commuting problem. If you are receiving SSDI or SSI and are interested in having LandAjob Services help you, go to www.landajobservices.org.
Powell recently started a new job with NTI in a remote call center after having her choice of several positions. NTI’s mission is to help Americans with disabilities and their family caregivers find a remote job working in call centers with job training and job placement services.
“(NTI's) Mr. George Simpson, he’s the best, ever,” said Powell. “He inspired me to transfer from LandAjob to NTI. He complimented me and said I have an excellent phone voice. The first two times, I didn’t pass, but he gave me what I had to do and gave me constructive criticism. It was so positive and upbeat. I went on an interview, and they gave me (the) test and I was prepared for it.”
Powell, who is also a minister, was able to combine her experience and made sure her resume highlighted what she could do for an employer. She says when she was applying for a job, that made a difference to the recruiter for the positions she was looking for.
“It’s like I have an award-winning resume,” said Powell before getting her new job. “I was getting all kinds of calls. I was thinking of relocating to Georgia, and I got two hits on my resume. They wanted me to relocate right away, but I decided not to.”
Having an opportunity to get back into the workforce after previously working in the medical and hospital fields was something that Powell was looking for, and with LandAjob and NTI’s assistance she has been able to accomplish her goal.
“LandAjob and NTI are very diligent in helping you,” she said. “It was a great experience.”