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Arlene Carter’s ‘My Encore Moment” Story
FROM HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR TO NONPROFIT FUNDRAISER
Seattle, Washington

After being laid from her real estate job, Arlene Carter rebounded and found truly satisfying work as a fundraiser for a senior community.

When I was laid off from my job as HR Director/Office Manager for a real estate management/construction company, I was fortunate to be given a severance package that allowed me time to slow down and really think about what I wanted to do.

I took long walks thinking about my last few jobs, ranging from being self-employed to working for a PR team that had a great idea for a dot.com business and just as quickly blew up when the bubble burst, to being in a very competitive work environment at a real estate management/construction business.

As I was in my mid-50s, I knew that one of my goals was to find a job that would take me through to retirement. I was also ready to do something more meaningful and to put a priority on a less stressful work environment. I hadn’t really considered looking for a job in fundraising, even though I had done a lot of volunteer work raising money for various organizations.

A friend who knew of my previous volunteer work with nonprofits asked me to come to interview for a job opening in the foundation of a large senior community very close to my home. I went somewhat reluctantly because I wasn’t finished with enjoying my summer off, but during the interview process, I fell in love with the facility and the fabulous work they were doing for and with older adults. I also saw the benefits of working right in my neighborhood (less than a one-mile commute) and felt that this work environment (supportive, spiritual, empowering) was something that I was looking for.

For the past five years, I’ve been working at Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation in Seattle, Wash. What I felt about this work environment in the interview process continues to be a huge inspiration to me. The staff are here to provide a home in every sense of the word to the 400 older adults who live here. The mission, core values, morals and ethics all align with mine in a way that makes it deeply satisfying to do this work. And being allowed to work in the home of these residents is an honor and a privilege.

The friend who asked me to come in for an interview is now my boss and we enjoy a great working relationship, a wonderful friendship and enormous gratitude for our jobs and the work we do.