Careers
& Employment

Gesher helps people across metro Detroit find personal fulfillment and financial stability through meaningful employment.

Whether you’re just entering the job market or returning to it after a significant gap, have recently lost your job, or are simply looking to make a change, Gesher offers career development support in a variety of settings and formats to suit your individual needs and circumstances.

We’re here to help you make your career goals a reality through personalized career coaching, technical skills training, networking opportunities and job placement services. 

Waterford

Oakland County
Michigan Works!

Michigan Works! provides jobseekers the support, training, and services they need to get back to work, find new employment, obtain necessary credentials, and more. Our team also offers businesses customized recruitment solutions to help them source and train staff.

Collingwood

Detroit at Work

Detroit at Work provides information for jobseekers and employers on in-demand career pathways and training programs that are aligned to jobs in growing career sectors.

Career Counseling Services

Find the Right Career Fit

We will work with you to develop a personalized plan based on your individual goals, interests, skills, motivators, and unique work styles so you can make informed decisions about your future.

Career Counseling will help you to:

  • Identify long- and short-term career goals
  • Analyze your skills, interests, style, and values
  • Take individualized assessments (i.e., Myers-Briggs, Strong Interest Inventory, etc.)
  • Develop a plan to reach your goals
  • Make decisions based on market trends

We can meet in person or virtually.

Identify your skills, strengths, interests, abilities, personal style and values
Receive expert interpretation on assessments to help you identify the right roles
Clarify your career goals and develop a proactive plan to find the right position

Job Search Services

Launch Your New Career

Need help with your job search or exploring a new career? We can help you successfully find employment with expert job search support that helps you stand out in a crowd, perfect your resume, nail your interview, get hired, and advance your career. Our Certified Professional Resume Writers can help with:

  • Job Search Strategies
  • Resume Development
  • Cover Letter Writing
  • Using & Optimizing LinkedIn
  • Leveraging Your Network
  • Interview Preparation
  • Salary Negotiation

Schedule your appointment with a career expert today

Hermelin ORT Computer Training

Computer knowledge is vital in many jobs and careers. Let us help you learn the skills necessary for your next career opportunity, from computer basics, to office & computer essentials, to our drop-in computer labs.

Online classes also available.

For more information or to register for a class, contact Dave Rotter at [email protected] or (248) 233-4243.

Learn the basic computer fundamentals and skills you need for work, school, and life.
Essentials for job seekers looking to learn how to use programs like Microsoft Excel.
Visit our drop-in Southfield Computer Lab on Fridays from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Women to Work

The Women to Work program is a free 4-week group program for women who have been out of the workforce and want assistance in returning. Women will receive:

  • Vocational Assessments
  • Networking Assistance
  • Resume Writing and Interviewing Support
  • Discussions on Stress Management
  • Financial Management and Budgeting Assistance

Additionally, our Springboard to Success program combines the Women to Work program with hands-on Microsoft Office computer training.

For more information, contact Judy Richmond at [email protected] or 248-233-4232.

JOIN Internship Program

College students build their professional network and strengthen their resume through an 8-week paid summer internship. The JOIN Internship Program offers valuable work experience, educational seminars, and learning opportunities centered around the Jewish community. Students will work alongside Jewish communal professionals in the following disciplines:

  • Nonprofit Business Administration
  • Marketing and Communications
  • Research and Program Planning
  • Human Resources
  • Community Outreach and Advocacy
  • Development and Fundraising

Openings are limited. Open to Jewish, full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are metro Detroit residents. For more information, contact Ashley Stone at [email protected] or (248) 233-4482.

Employment Services for Individuals with Disabilities

Gesher is committed to helping adults and youth with disabilities achieve long-term success and fulfillment by helping them identify their employment strengths, interests, and skills needed to find and maintain employment.

Individuals are offered the option to work or volunteer in their community with ongoing support from Gesher staff at every step of the process. 

We strive to help individuals with disabilities become independent and more fully integrated into their communities through our comprehensive array of employment services.

Supported Employment and Skill Building

We directly assist individuals with disabilities as they find and maintain a job that fits their skills, interests, and abilities through on-going job coaching and personalized support to help build their professional toolkit.

Oakland County
Ted Goewey
[email protected]
(248) 233-4334

Wayne County
Eugene Jones [email protected]
(313) 446-8023

Vocational Rehab

Through Gesher’s Vocational Rehabilitation services, adults and youth with disabilities interested in working independently benefit from customized employment, assessments, internships, workshops, and job placement and coaching services. This program is generally funded by Michigan Rehabilitation Services, the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons, private insurance or self-pay.

Macomb & Oakland
Rene Dell, MA, LPC, NCC, CRC
[email protected]
(248) 233-4448

Wayne County
Danita Love-Carter, MA, CRC
[email protected]
(313) 446-8013

AbilityOne

AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of jobs for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Participants can leverage AbilityOne-learned skills in public and private sector jobs and enjoy full participation in their community.

Ticket to Work

 In partnership with the Social Security Administration, the Ticket to Work program provides a path to employment for individuals receiving SSDI and/or SSI. The program is free, voluntary, and helps people with disabilities progress toward financial independence. For more information, contact Sherrie James at [email protected] or (248) 233-4472.

Hear From Your Neighbors

I am usually the one fighting for myself, but I actually had people that were in my corner rooting and fighting for me. I honestly don’t know how I could ever repay the generosity and financial relief that I received from Gesher.

KPC

Next Event

13November
Creative Expressions Studio - Encore 55+
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Creative Expressions Studio - Encore 55+

Life Skills & Education

Embrace your inner artist with Encore’s new watercolor workshop! In collaboration with Creative Expressions Studio, Encore will be providing us with a chance to explore our artistic abilities. This workshop is for artists of ALL levels. We will practice simple watercolor techniques and offer opportunities to experiment independently. (Requires a $50 flat fee prior to the start of the workshop).

Date and Time: November 13th at 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Location: In Person I 23800 W. 10 Mile Road, Suite 140, Southfield, MI 48033

Registration: For more information, please contact (248) 233-4247 or [email protected]

Upcoming Events

14November
Meaningful Mat Making - Encore 55+
1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

Meaningful Mat Making - Encore 55+

Life Skills & Education

Meaningful Mat Making at Gesher in Southfield, (socialize while crafting sleeping mats from reused plastic bags for people without homes).

Date and Time: November 14th at 1:30 pm

Location: In Person I Gesher Human Services 29699 Southfield Rd, Southfield

Registration: For more information, please contact (248) 233-4247 or [email protected]

14November
Fit as a Fiddle - Encore 55+
3:15 pm - 4:15 pm

Fit as a Fiddle - Encore 55+

Life Skills & Education

Rock ‘n roll to your favorite songs as we exercise together with resistance bands, light weights, and maybe a boom whacker or two. Move to Motown! Julie Bodson makes this program incredibly FUN! Bring a friend, a water bottle, and sturdy shoes! (Free!)

Date and Time: November 14th at 3:15 pm – 4:15 pm

Location: In Person I Gesher Human Services 29699 Southfield Rd, Southfield

Registration: For more information, please contact (248) 233-4247 or [email protected]

14November
Trade Secrets
6:00 pm

Trade Secrets

Life Skills & Education

Join us for a fun, unique, and inspiring evening… at Trade Secrets, a Gesher Human Services FUNdraising Event as we honor Amy Nederlander!

6 p.m. – Registration, Reception, and Silent Auction
7 p.m. – Dinner and Program

TRADE SECRETS funds Gesher’s workforce initiatives for women (such as Women to Work, financial education, computer training, resume writing, homebuyers’ assistance, and more) to help them build confidence, gain skills, and achieve success.

Gesher supported over 15,000 women in Metro Detroit in the last year!

To purchase tickets, contact Lindsey Fox at [email protected] or 248.233.4343.

__________________________________________________________

Learn more about how Trade Secrets is helping metro Detroit residents!

2024 Trade Secrets Sponsors & Committee

14November
Film & Forum Discussion - Encore 55+
7:30 pm - 8:30 pm

Film & Forum Discussion - Encore 55+

Life Skills & Education

Members decide which movies to watch and discuss. (Requires a small fee).

Date and Time: November 14th at 7:30 pm

Location: Virtual

Registration: For more information, please contact (248) 233-4247 or [email protected]

15November
Book Club - Encore 55+
10:00 am - 11:00 am

Book Club - Encore 55+

Life Skills & Education

Members decide which books to read, and then discuss pertinent issues and themes. Books can be mailed right to your door. Past books include: Someone Else’s Shoes, The Unhoneymooners, and When We Believed in Mermaids. (Requires a small fee).

Date and Time: November 15th at 10:00 am

Location: Virtual

Registration: For more information, please contact (248) 233-4247 or [email protected]

Take the first step toward a more stable and fulfilling life