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Lyanet Vasquez

Lyanet Vasquez

“Being homeless is just not an excuse.”

Lyanet is an energetic 32-year old mother of six. She has her hands full, especially as a mom living in a homeless shelter. But she doesn’t let that stop her from pursuing her dreams.

The shelter put Lyanet in touch with CWS. “When I came to CWS, I was expecting baby number six. I used the time I was pregnant to focus on finding a way to support my family. I came to CWS to study hospitality, and I graduated with my Customer Service Agent (CSA) certificate.”
Today, Lyanet works for WeWork in Boston. “I run a building that has 1600 people. I am the main Customer Service Agent and I work hard. I run one of the top 10 buildings in the Boston area.”

Lyanet is still living in the shelter, but she believes that will change very soon. “I am just now becoming financially stable. I am well trained and I know I will succeed in this career.”

Lyanet has many goals, but one stands out most of all: “I hope to be an example for my kids and for other moms who might be in my situation. CWS gave me the opportunity. I showed up and I am showing my kids the importance of not giving up. I am showing them that there is never an excuse, never a reason to stop trying.”

Lyanet left high school at 17 when she became pregnant with her first child and the past 15 years have not been easy. “I was just a mom battling to make it every day. It’s not easy. Last year was an especially tough year. But then things started getting better.”

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Donald Haynesworth

Donald Haynesworth

“I have a whole new life, a whole new energy. It’s a great feeling. CWS is allowing me to be the man I want to be, for me and for my child.”

Donald Haynesworth came to CWS after being incarcerated for 20 years. “I got caught up in a lifestyle that was comfortable, but it was dangerous. I knew I was the problem, and society tried to help me, but I wasn’t ready.”

Then, in prison, Donald had a personal reckoning. He was a young father. He rarely saw his son. “I started thinking…if I die, what happens? Who will foot the bill for my child? What’s my worth–not financially, but internally. Am I responsible? These things were important to me. When I came out of prison this time, I said, ‘I’m ready.’”
CWS was ready too.

Today, Donald works in the commercial cleaning sector at CWS. He is working on honing his skills to become an expert in carpet cleaning. He has aspirations to start his own business.

“CWS allows me to excel. I show up every day and try to be the best me I can be. The opportunities CWS give me are building my confidence. They trust me to do a good job because they know that I will never leave a job undone. When I am out in the community I am representing my crew, CWS and myself.”

“I will never be incarcerated again. My end game is to be successful. I have to be a role model for my child and for others who have been through what I’ve been through.” 

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CWS Response to the COVID-19 Crisis: Total Facilities Management Services

CWS Response to the COVID-19 Crisis: Total Facilities Management Services

Employees of Community Work Services Total Facilities Management (TFM) division are providing essential services critical to the operations of state and federal facilities amid the current COVID-19 pandemic.

TFM provides highly specialized facilities maintenance services. From managing facilities through various technologies, to daily executions of a wide variety a services, such as Janitorial, Mechanical Maintenance, Landscaping and Grounds, Recycling and Waste Management, and all other building related functions and services that meet the challenges of today’s high-functioning facility demands. For over 50 years, TFM has been an integral part of offering services that are critical to today’s highly efficient and demanding facilities where services are measured in reliability, responsiveness, and corporate partnerships as standard business principles.

As it relates to preventing the spread of the Coronavirus, CWS has systematically responded to service requests across a vast array of facilities, many of which include cleaning and sanitizing high-contact surfaces. Concurrently, we have implemented our Pandemic Preparedness Plan, a highly detailed strategy specifically designed to provide essential services during a pandemic. To note, the plan provides information that will ensure compliance with the requirements of the Federal OSHA Directive 3327-02N 2007 to develop plans for keeping government facilities operational during a pandemic influenza or other emergency periods. The plan adheres to OSHA standard 1926.59, The Hazmat Communication Standard (HCS).

Some final quick tips recommended by CDC:

  • Frequently wash your hands for 20+ seconds with warm water and soap
  • Use hand sanitizer to supplement hand washing (not as a form of replacement for handwashing
  • Be careful about touching eyes, nose and mouth without washing your hands before and after
  • Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing (use a tissue or your upper arm – then wash hands)
  • Disinfect your workspace
  • Maintain a comfortable distance from others (3 feet or 1 meter)
  • Seek care early from your healthcare provider if you have a fever