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“As an apprentice electrician for the union, there is a lot I love about my job: I love that I'm learning every day, I love that I am challenged every day, and I love that I get to be creative.⁣
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⁣I was extremely stressed out at my former job as a special education teacher, so I started looking into other ways to make a living. I was curious about becoming a union electrician after talking it over with a few friends in the trade. They were getting paid a lot more than I was making as a teacher and seemed to be stress-free. With the workforce in the trades at an all-time low, I figured a licensed electrician should never be without a job. I also liked the idea of someday being able to support my wife and kids with one job.⁣
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⁣Pride drives me to do the work I do. My family and other mentors throughout my life have made sure that if I set to do something, I do it with pride. I play a small role in an extremely important industry. We live in a wired world. Everyone and everything is plugged in, yet so few people understand how these systems work. The world would be a very dark place without electricians. ⁣
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⁣If you are interested in becoming an electrician or would like to learn more about joining the training program in Springfield, MA, visit: local7jatc.com.

One word to describe the American worker: Tough”
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⁣–Parker Chandler, Local 7 IBEW apprentice, Pittsfield, MA⁣
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⁣(I had a friend take the photo. It’s not of me working, but of me enjoying Labor Day with my family. American workers, specifically union members, fought to have this holiday and I chose to enjoy it at home with my wife Amelia and kids Ainsleigh and Sullivan.) ⁣

⁣”I love training large groups of people, creating community, and making fitness fun. It’s like an adult recess. I’m driven by helping people understand that you can have fun working out! My work matters tremendously due to the rise of weight-related diseases and childhood obesity.⁣
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⁣I had been in the corporate world for ten years, and once we started our family, I couldn't go back to a full-time crazy work schedule, so I really wanted to go into fitness which is one of my passions. I wanted to run my own company and have the flexibility for our family. ⁣
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⁣Camp Gladiator (CG) has been the perfect opportunity to run my own business and do what I love: training people outdoors. Once the pandemic started and everything began to shut down, CG made a massive shift, almost overnight, to fully virtual live workouts for 22,000 existing members and 1,200 trainers. The demand skyrocketed and we quickly expanded to all 50 states and 16 countries. We’re back to teaching outdoors again, but still have a robust schedule of virtual workouts. I’m excited that we are able to now impact people around the world either on virtual workouts or in person.⁣

One word to describe the American worker: Tenacious”
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⁣–Kelly Wessels, fitness trainer, Camp Gladiator, Tampa, Florida

"This pandemic has been a challenging time for us all. At work for us, we are still putting our best foot forward to continue to service the community. The call volume increased drastically in the initial stages. With precaution, we still responded to every call, whether it was a fire, medical call, or some type of emergency. For us, the show must go on and we will show up. Grateful for all the support and prayers from people all over the world."

—Melissa Bennett, firefighter, Brooklyn, New York (and the firefighter depicted in the mural)

"When I’m driving in the truck, I am able to see my dreams and goals of entrepreneurship. Having the autonomy to choose when and where I stop while I’m driving, with no one hovering over me, allows me the freedom of designing my life blueprint. This job brings me one step closer to accomplishing my goals. One of the best parts of it is I get to travel across the country and the trucking company provides the finances for me to be able to do so.

The desire to succeed drives me to do the work I do. Driving a truck was the only job that was going to get me out of the minimum wage pay bracket and not require a college degree. This job has afforded me the opportunity to make more money, provide for my family, and support my future goals.

The trucking industry is a $700 billion industry. Seventy percent of products are moved in the USA by trucks. Without truck drivers, grocery stores would be even more impacted by shortages. The trucking industry plays a major part in the U.S. economy. It’s a good industry, but it’s incredibly difficult for those who may have blemishes in their past (i.e. felonies, parking ticket, speeding ticket, etc.). It seems like a lot of trucking companies are looking for the perfect driver with the perfect driving record. It’s important for the industry to begin considering overhauling some of their requirements in order to allow prospective employees a chance at changing their life.

One word to describe the American worker: Hustler"

–David Meredith, Class A Regional Driver, Apache Trucking, Andover, Massachusetts

"In 2018 I started working with women inmates and quickly realized that music is even more soul serving and soul soothing when it's played behind prison walls. In my life, I have the liberty to create. I do it so I can remind women in prison how to, workshop by workshop.
Since the pandemic, all of my on-ground concerts have been canceled. My work in the prison system is also postponed indefinitely. It's just not safe. I've had fun performing on Facebook live and I'm preparing a vocal empowerment clinic, which will run online in June.
My work requires a holistic intelligence. It's hard to measure, but most musicians have it. It allows us to not only write and record music, but also to run rehearsals, practice craft, drive miles and miles to gigs, set-up and run audio equipment, and somehow be able to captivate an audience with what we have left.
My work matters because music quenches an emotional thirst. People would be all dried up without it.

The American worker is: Honest"

–Kate Callahan, singer-songwriter, West Hartford, CT

"My work matters because television in all its forms continues to influence our world. I am currently a freelance television stage manager. My work allows me to associate and talk with people in every aspect of the production and I love being an integral part of the team that brings the show to the audience. When I am working on a show that I know can make a difference, it’s so worthwhile. Also, I know that my presence gives hope to others who want to do what I do. I wanted to be a stage manager because I saw others who look like me doing it.

What drives me are various things and it changes all the time. Sometimes it’s basic like financial. Others times, depending on the project, it’s the love of show. But one of the top things that drives me is to be able to help or give advice to younger people coming into the business, particularly people of color.

Since I am a freelancer, the kind of shows I do are at a standstill. I was able to finish the finale of a show I had been working on just before the total shutdown of the country. I have not worked since. The industry is taking steps to figure out how we will move going forward with safety protocols. Being a freelancer and working in TV is not for everyone. There is a lot of uncertainty. No paid vacations days or sick days. Any day you are not working, you are not making money. But there is a certain freedom to it all that I enjoy.

The American worker is: Creative"

–April Smith, freelance television stage manager, New York, NY

“I absolutely love giving back and supporting others during their time of need. I am lucky to be the director of both senior and social services which allows me to work closely with different age brackets and entire family systems. It is important to make people feel cared for and that their needs matter. We are only human, and everyone, at some point in time, needs a little extra support through a difficult situation.

Town social workers offer a listening ear, and a supportive, safe space to reach out and ask for help when it is most needed. We are resourceful and are able to collaborate with a variety of other community agencies to get people the help they need.

My work has changed a great deal since the pandemic. The volume of need requests has more than doubled—financial, food insecurity, referrals for mental health or substance abuse services, domestic violence resources, etc. A large focus has been providing food to our most needy and vulnerable populations in the safest way possible. The group coordination has been critical and it is a true statement to say “we are all in this together.” I have had more than 50 volunteers reach out to my department with offers to help with food, monetary donations, shopping, making masks, transportation, trash removal services, picking up prescriptions for those in need, etc. Without our volunteers and other helpful town employees working together as one large cohesive team, there would have been no way to meet the increased demand of our most vulnerable population during these tough times.

The American worker is: Dedicated”

– Jessica D., director of senior & social services, Canton, CT

“My work helps others to keep hope, keep faith, create memories, and hold on. I am a part of a universal language called music. Music matters—it can determine how we start a day, the middle of our day, and how we finish.

My drive always comes from the audience. You never know who is in the audience. The drive or the push will always be the people in the room. I love the people I connect with on the journey. They always can find a way to relate to the music. I enjoy watching people dance. But I truly feel the love when kids are singing and dancing on the stage with me.

With the pandemic, work has changed. The stage is your home; it is wherever you invite the people. People get to see the real you through the camera. The question is, Who's Zoomin’ who? They can feel you through your face expressions, your body language, and what they hear. There still needs to be a connection, but this time it is more emotional and uncut.

The American worker is: Resilient"

—Nekita Waller, Connecticut State Troubadour

"I moved to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic over 20 years ago, and my wife Ebelis and I are so grateful to live and work in this country and create a better future for our kids. Here you can achieve what you want if you’re willing to cooperate and work hard.

Because of our experience in the hospitality industry, we started our own business and love being our own boss. A Helping Hand Cleaning and Home Improvement gives us a chance to help people and make a difference in their lives with all the different services we offer. We especially love helping those who aren’t able to do the work themselves for different reasons, and actually improve their quality of life. We pride ourselves on being fair, honest, and always delivering what we promise. Of course the pandemic has slowed things down a lot, money’s tighter for people, and inside work has been off the table.

The American worker is: Empowered."

—Willie Berroa, A Helping Hand Cleaning and Home Improvement, Torrington, CT

"In an industry that many are skeptical of, it is our mission to help people achieve the goals for their vehicles in a caring and ethical manner. People need to feel safe in their vehicles and trust the information being presented to them.

Although we have been deemed an essential business by the State of CT, we have seen a significant decrease in business with the pandemic, which has had an impact on our workforce. The implementation of sanitizing procedures has become an important aspect to our day. We are continually sanitizing all touch surfaces throughout the day as well as customer vehicles. We have had to close our doors from customers and delivery people entering, to implement the social distancing protocols. With a limited amount of people on the road, our towing and transport business has been impacted as well.

The American worker is: Resilient"

—Michael and Jennifer Rindflesh, Collinsville Auto Repair, LLC, Canton, CT

"I began working as a videographer after I interned at Jacob's Pillow in 2001. I was a broadcast and dance major in college and really wanted to combine my two passions. I did, and moved to NYC and began filming dance. I LOVE my work. Some days it is just about answering emails, but on the days I am filming in the dance studio or editing a project, I am reminded why I love it. I love dancers, I love movement, and I love video. My passion for dance is what drives me.

Since 2011, after filming the Dance Education Laboratory and then producing my film PS DANCE! about dance education in public schools, my passion has also become dance education and the huge impact dance has on our learning for our children. I often meditate on why my work matters and I always come back to the fact it creates joy, it inspires, it shows what is possible. Dancers, choreographers, and dance educators are the greatest group of people with so much perseverance—and to show what they do and help them get more work and express their mission is so rewarding to me.

I had countless jobs canceled due to Covid-19. I was heartbroken and grief stricken. I had to lay people off and found myself numb. After much soul searching and prayer it became clear I could provide live-streaming and produce virtual benefits, convocations, and do anything related to video. I am providing live-streaming services to whomever needs help. I am so grateful for my freedom to do what I love. This current situation has forced me to pivot and really dive deep into how I can serve.

The American worker is: Resilient."

—Nel Shelby, dance film producer, Nel Shelby Productions, New York, NY

"I'm a software engineer and currently run my own agency. I come from a long line of entrepreneurs and business owners, and I find it more fulfilling to run my own business. It's in my blood, I think. I like how I can put all the skills I’ve learned at various companies throughout my career to use—project management, sales, communications, software development, management, planning.

When I was in elementary school, I remember creating silly, simple websites with my friends. This led to me learning more about how websites were made, and learning about HTML/CSS. Over the course of my grade school life, I put these skills to use to help my friends and I make customized profile designs for various games and sites, such as MySpace. After grade school, I taught myself more programming languages and got into building web applications.

I work specifically in the e-commerce space, and many of my clients are other small businesses and mom-and-pop stores. The work that I do helps these businesses to generate more revenue, and this helps the businesses make more money, which they can use to pay their workers and keep the lights on. Some of my clients make amazing products that their customers love. Some also have social missions, which I'm happy to be able to support.

The American worker is: Adaptable"

—Alexander Espinoza, principal/owner, Aesymmetric Soft LLC, Avon, CT

"I began my journey designing and patenting the Babybellyband maternity support wear system in 2007, when I was pregnant and experiencing pelvic floor issues, and was unable to find a solution. I was a science educator and never expected to be on this course: a business owner, manufacturer, and sales person.

Women’s health is not always prioritized. It should be, every angle of it. We are the essential piece to a healthy functioning family. When a mother is in pain, everyone feels it. To have a solution to get mothers and therefore families functioning better is essential. I feel like I am making a difference by solving a problem that so many women experience during their pregnancies.

Because my business is mostly online and relatively isolated in one office/warehouse, I have been able to continue working. The difficult part has been manufacturing since all of my previous manufacturers were rerouted to manufacture protective gowns and military gear. Wanting to continue manufacturing in the USA, I had to think outside the box and rally some smaller manufacturers in Massachusetts to help me out. They have been willing and glad for the new work—some cutting, others sewing. I’m also thankful for the U.S. Postal Service, without whom I would not have had a business during this pandemic.

The American worker is: Resilient"

—Caroline Christensen, CEO, Babybellyband by Cabea, LLC, Winsted, CT

"I’m fortunate to work in an industry that can contribute during this stressful time for the country. We put food on consumer’s tables—quite literally—and it’s healthy, wholesome food at that. Because of Wild Fork’s business model—100% frozen, focused on protein—we are able to offer lower prices with higher quality and variety, all while reducing food waste and making life easy for the end consumer. Living through this pandemic has made me more grateful than ever to be of service.

Food is a passion of mine and I love cooking healthy meals at home on a daily basis. My background is in consumer products marketing with big companies (health care, coffee, grass-fed beef), but my passion is start-up food businesses. Running customer care is new to me, but our number-one priority is a fantastic customer experience and I’ve already seen in our first 18 months how that builds an incredibly strong brand.

My job involves creating content (social media, video) and spreading the word about our awesome brand. We just started our own YouTube channel and I even have my own show with quick and easy weeknight meals. Wild Fork currently covers the state of Florida—seven (soon to be eight) stores in South Florida and ecommerce throughout the state—and we’ll be expanding to more as soon as we can.

The American worker is: Resilient. From store associates to plant employees to our support office, every single person has shown incredible resiliency during this challenging time."

—Tracy Sinclair, head of marketing and customer care, Wild Fork Foods, Miami, FL

"I have taught art for about thirty years, primarily to students in grades pre-kindergarten–5, and more recently at the middle school level. I’ve had some amazing experiences working with kids in schools with very diverse populations. What a rewarding experience it has been! I look forward to what I do every day.

Prior to the Covid crisis, my students and I took advantage of many social and spectacular experiences in art. From museum visits to glass blowing studios, we were able to have the best exposure to current exhibits and hands-on creating. In the current climate, we have been restricted to whatever resources we have at our own homes (this differs from one household to the next). I can honestly say that I am blown away by what these kids have accomplished."

—Kathy Reddy, art teacher, Roger Ludlowe Middle School, Fairfield, CT

Note: Kathy is the teacher depicted in the mural (shown in second picture). She and her students first got involved with AMP in 2008.

"Over the last 17 years, I have attended more than 260 births as a doula, and I’ve served hundreds more women postpartum and as their childbirth education teacher or lactation support. I see caring for women as my life’s work, my legacy, and a profound honor. My mother had been a labor and delivery nurse and lay midwife and taught me so many things over the years—this helped set me up in a way, for what was to come.

I love watching women realize just how strong they can be, and how brave. I love being there for the transformation from woman or man to parent—a totally different role, and the most rewarding they will ever experience. Helping folks through their transitions is an incredible gift and an indescribable honor.

I keep being driven to do this work because it is so needed—and I see the difference that I, and other doulas like me, make to families. My work matters because women matter. Families matter. The rights of the patient matter, and the will of the patient matters. Every human being deserves to have their basic social, emotional, and physical needs met, and to feel as if someone is in their corner working hard to safeguard their rights and autonomy. No one should feel alone.

One word to describe the American worker: Brave"

—Dana Oakes-Sand AS, MCD, CCE, NMPP, TMBW, CLE, IPES, Winsted

"Parenting is challenging—especially today. I believe 'it takes a village to raise a child,' and that we all have a role in that village. I’ve always been passionate about investing in early education and helped start Torrington’s Birth to Graduation Program because I adore children and am fascinated by their fast-growing brains. Then I got the added perk of watching the parents grow and become friends with one another, too. I take personal (maternal) pride in them as well!

I get to work with the most caring people who genuinely love children and want to see young families in Torrington succeed! It’s important for young families in our community to feel loved and encouraged. And if help is needed, I take pride in being a connector to services and supports.

The American worker is: Connected"

—Julie Fabiaschi, community coordinator, Torrington’s Birth to Graduation Program

“My work at ASAP! matters because education is how we grow. Through our programs in Northwest Connecticut, my work as a program director provides me with many opportunities to connect to children as young as three years old to adults in their nineties. These people are from all walks of life, and over the past five years, many have become close friends, mentors, and even family. I find putting our programs together each year with others in mind is extremely motivating.

The pandemic has provided us with new ways to connect with one another. We have a FREE Virtual Learning Series for families to access in their own time. This provides some income for our amazing teaching artists. We are creating communities with our artists and parents to share ideas and support one another. We are exploring ways to reinvent ASAP! Summer Camp. Working from home with a nine-year-old daughter has also provided insight into the school curriculum, the work of our teachers, and how to achieve true balance.

The American worker is: Resilient”

—Ali Psomas, program director, ASAP for the Arts, Washington, CT

"We began our small family-owned business Local Donut as a way to give back to our community. We’re chefs with degrees in culinary arts and we're committed to sourcing local Vermont ingredients for our dough—farm fresh eggs, organic milk, raw honey, and VT maple syrup. This supports other family-run farms across the state.

In times of change, we had to get creative with our company. Our donuts were originally sold at coffee shops. When Vermont shut down all food service businesses, Nate lost his job and we had to put our thinking caps on! It’s when we began getting emails from our loyal fans requesting “donut deliveries” that a new business was born.

Doing home deliveries allows us to put our two kids in the car and hit the road as a family. People are getting acclimated to a delivery by a masked lady in a plaid wool coat dropping donuts on their woodpile! A home delivery of a box of beautifully hand-made donuts makes you feel taken care of. We also work with a lot of “self-serve” farm stands. This is common in rural VT. It’s built on an honor system—you go in with your own basket, take what you want for local meat, dairy, veggies, and donuts, then write down what you took and leave a check in a locked box.

In the midst of the pandemic, our business actually has grown. We are selling out each weekend and are excited to be in the process of building a small bakery attached to our home. It’s a very humbling experience—standing on the farm where your food was grown, cared for, harvested. It’s a beautiful thing.

The American worker is: Driven"

—Nate Doyon & Nina Livellara, owners, Local Donut, Woodbury, VT

"My jobs at the Canton Senior Center and Beardsley Library allow me to work alongside individuals and families in hopes of empowering, advocating, and motivating. I grew up as a special education student and had to overcome many environmental obstacles, and I believe this has shaped my perspective on wanting to help others. My education and volunteer work encouraged me to engage in the community. I absolutely love community work and coordinating activities for individuals of all ages.

I wake up every day excited to go to work. I look forward to helping people, showing empathy, and just being in the moment with seniors or patrons. I love people and, most importantly, learning about others' backgrounds and stories. I love how diverse everyone is.

My job has shifted from planning programs to delivering frozen meals or nonperishable items to seniors. We offer many services, support, and outreach to ensure seniors/patrons remain healthy, safe, and to help them stay connected to the community. It also entails checking in with seniors and connecting with them to ensure their safety and well-being.

One word to describe the American worker: Valuable. All American workers are diverse and have different job titles. But we are ALL valuable no matter what work we are doing."

—Jess Tessman, coordinator, Canton Senior Center, Canton, CT, and circulation desk, Beardsley Library, Winsted, CT

"There is something about home cooking that evokes a sense of comfort and unity we need more than ever right now. As a housewares buyer for Bloomingdale's, I realize my job is not as essential as many others during this time, but I take pride in being able to bring a source of coziness directly to American homes through our online channel. I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to operate almost seamlessly from my new remote office. Virtual morning meetings have become the new normal and leggings are the new business casual.

Amidst the uncertainty and fear out there, I can at least help people to find joy in their own homes, encouraging families to come together through cooking projects they might previously never have found the time to explore. We have collaborated with our vendor partners to source the most relevant products and provide stay-at-home meal inspiration to our customers. Bread makers and pizza ovens are the flying off the (virtual) shelves!

Our essential workers are exhibiting immense courage and sacrifice every day. While my job does not require me to work on the front lines, I am motivated by knowing that I’m helping to provide a distraction for those of us lucky enough to be restricted to the confines of our home—to keep us safe and sane while we ride this out together."

–Taylor Healy, senior assistant buyer, housewares, Bloomingdale's, New York, NY

"As the director of the diaper bank, it is very rewarding to know that the parents and the children of our community are being helped—to see a smile on a mother’s or father’s face, and relief knowing that their day has been made somewhat easier.
The work done at the diaper bank in Winsted reaches out to our local community, to those in need. A supplement of diapers is given on a monthly basis on the first and third Wednesday of every month, 5–6:30pm.

During this pandemic, the work has changed as so much has. We still want to help others, but the personal part of getting to know the many clients is no longer available because of the many restrictions.

One word to describe the American worker: Dedication"

–Donna Ensminger, director, Second Congregational Church Diaper Bank, Winchester, CT

"I love being in a profession that is all about helping people connect to learning, to information, and to each other. The library is a community center, and I love being part of this community. I'm motivated by the people we serve through the library. Seeing their satisfaction in the services we are able to provide them and finding new and innovative ways to meet their needs is what keeps me going.

Libraries play a very important role not only in our community, but also in our society. My work is all about providing people with the resources they need to better themselves, educate themselves, share ideas, try new things, and a place for them to interact with other community members in a positive way. Having an excellent library is a sign of a strong community. I know

I, along with the rest of our staff, work hard to make that a reality.
Although we had to temporarily close our doors to the public, we are still able to ensure that everyone that wants access to our digital collections is able to get access. We have also been able to remain engaged with the community through virtual programming, which we've really been creative about how we've accomplished. I'm really proud of how the library's staff rose to the challenge and even went outside their own comfort zones to come up with innovative ways to reach people.

One word to describe the American worker: Innovative”

–Karin Taylor, library director, Beardsley Library, Winsted, CT

"Every day can bring new adventures in many different ways as a harbormaster, and the majority of my time at work is either on or near the water. I am responsible for enforcing town code and state regulations for the beaches and waterways on the east end of Long Island, which includes 5 harbors and approximately 70 miles of beaches on both the bay and ocean sides. Our officers operate specialized patrol vessels up to 45 feet in length and 4WD patrol vehicles. We work closely with the United States Coast Guard in both our rescue and law enforcement missions.
My job involves checking fishing licenses and shellfish permits, helping boaters or swimmers in distress, monitoring boat speeds, ensuring boater safety, and aiding with boating accidents and investigations. My work has periods of fairly mundane patrol interspersed with periods of high adrenaline and excitement. Right now, a primary concern of the police department (of which the Marine Patrol is a part of) is to enforce the social distancing guidelines, particularly on our beaches and in public places.

This is a great job for someone who loves the outdoors and enjoys a good quality of life. Our office is the water. Our town is a much better place due to the efforts of the Marine Patrol—our beaches and waterways are cleaner and safer, and our fish and shellfish are protected (to the best of our ability). I enjoy being able to help people as well as enforce important rules and regulations of our town and the State of New York.

One word to describe the American worker: Adaptable"

– Tim Treadwell, SR Harbormaster, East Hampton Town Marine Patrol

“I love being able to feed kids within the community. It’s rewarding to be able to help the community out alongside a great group of women. We are doing something that is needed right now by providing, on average, 500 brown bag meals per day. We miss not being able to see all the kiddos, but because of the current situation we get to meet family members/caregivers. Hearing the appreciation from recipients is heartwarming and we are thankful to be able to help.

One word to describe the American worker: Proud”

—Lisa Whipple, kitchen manager, Pearson School, Winsted, CT, “Happiness is a full belly <3”

"I love my work because of the customers and the friends I have made over the years. I also love that it keeps the legacy that my grandfather built going strong. More so than ever what is driving me to do the work that I do is being able to provide essential food items for people. My work matters because it's a local spot to get grocery items in a town that has very little options for groceries.

Our work has changed fairly drastically because of the pandemic. To make sure that none of us get sick—customers and employees—we have closed the doors and are only doing curbside pickup and payment over the phone. It makes it difficult for customers to get through and it is also a lot more work. But customers have been very supportive and really have responded to doing it this way. I'm very happy that we have been able to stay open, even if it is for only a few days a week.

One word to describe the American worker would be tough. They are being dealt a different hand than they have ever seen and they are rolling with the punches."

– Jen DiMauro, owner, John’s Import Deli, Winsted, CT

"Having grown up in the kitchen of Crand's Candy Castle in Enfield, I have long understood that our senses of taste and smell are so deeply intrinsic that they can effortlessly connect us to people, place, and time. I love that the shoppe has brought that home again for so many families after many years without locally-made, handcrafted fudge and chocolates.

As I begin my fourth year, I can see that Six Spoons has become what I'd hoped—a place of warmth, welcome, and memory. I believe chocolate is a luxury and a comfort and find it both endearing and incredible that something so seemingly small and simple can bring such nostalgia and happiness. The support I've received from those living and working in our communities, and from other small businesses in surrounding towns, is fortifying. Small businesses give often quiet but ever constant support that community organizations and individuals seek, and as a local, small business, I am grateful and proud to be an ingredient in that work.

At this time we are providing distanced, curbside order pickup only. Additionally, our Little Free Library remains open for curbside pickup.

One word for the American worker: Adaptable"

– Emily King, owner, Six Spoons Chocolatier, New Hartford, CT

"I am the first responder for individuals with an emergency, and I work hard at being the calm voice on the other end for them to hear. I calm callers down, get the appropriate information to get the proper resources out for the emergency, give the proper instructions to the caller, and make sure the appropriate information is relayed to services. Callers might be screaming and I might have to get a caller to do something they may not know how to do, like getting the patient flat on the floor and doing compressions until I can get help there.

The only thing I have to direct people is my voice, and I need to maintain my voice and level to assist the caller and for them to assist me until I get responders there. We are the first line of defense for responders, and we have some callers who are not cooperative with our questions so it makes it difficult. We also have had to calm callers down who are having anxiety attacks due to the quarantine and pandemic.

It is the type of job that there is never a day that is the same as another day—you never know what the day will bring. You can go to work on a nice sunny day thinking it will be an easy, great day and it turns out to be very busy, different types of emergencies come in, or one big emergency changes the day. I love being able to help people in the community where I’m from.

One word to describe the American worker: Dedicated"

– Kaki Schafer Reid, 911 dispatcher/supervisor, Litchfield County Dispatch, Torrington, CT

"I started working for UPS fresh out of college. Health benefits, a pension, and balance between work and personal life—also advancement in the company with weekends off—seemed very attractive to me. My interaction with people on a daily basis and the relationships that I make are truly the perks of the job. I enjoy being outdoors, the education people provide me, and exploring areas that no one ever explores. What drives me to do the work I do is stability in my life and my connection with my customers. When I hit the road there’s nothing like heading out to a community where many are happy to see me. It makes for a pretty good work day—every day!
My job right now is essential but also critical. I deliver life-saving medications that some of my customers’ lives depend on. UPS supplies long-term care facilities and hospitals with medical supplies and PPE they need, essential supplies to women’s shelters and other very important organizations, and food to residents who fear going out in public due to this pandemic.

We stand for something vitally important to the public—a promise that things will get back to normal one day. There are hundreds of thousands of UPS drivers across the country. We have a tremendous opportunity to make a positive impact on our country at this time and world right now!

One word to describe UPS and my job: Crucial”

—Jeremy Squires, UPS driver, Pittsfield, MA

"Being a paramedic who works with all of the volunteer services in the area, I find myself meeting really amazing, dedicated people who share my commitment to community service. People need us more than ever right now. People need to know that during their worst time that someone will come to help them.

My work has had a dramatic change since the pandemic broke out. Before the pandemic, I could complete a call in about an hour. Now, with our new infection control policies in place, it takes about 2.5 hours to complete a call. Everything is done much slower and with a lot more thought about reducing the spread of the virus. We have daily changes to protocols and policies based on the CDC and WHO recommendations. While caring for patients, I am now in PPE from head to toe—a Tyvek suit, eye protection, N95, surgical mask, and double gloves. Sadly, we are excited when we can score a bottle of hand sanitizer, bleach, or gowns as all of these are in short supply. It is really about changing priorities and expectations.

One word to describe the American worker: Resilient"

– Andrea L. Downs, paramedic, field supervisor, NDP EMS; volunteer with the Falls Village Volunteer Fire Department

“The goal of opening a brewery in Winsted was not just to be a good community partner, but to be a difference maker. We are well on our way in achieving this. In today's crazy world it is nice to have a location to escape to and see new and old friends. There is a certain satisfaction watching people walking into the brewery with big smiles on their faces. Myself and my partners have created a space that brings joy to so many. I am driven to constantly not just meet people’s expectations, but to surpass them. My favorite part of running the brewery is having the ability to help charities and individuals within the community.

One of the hardest things we had to do since opening was laying off our entire staff of seven. Each one has been with us from the very beginning. A close second to that was closing our tap room, with the exception of take-out orders. I truly miss interacting with all our customers.

One word to describe the American worker: Determined”

—Nils Johnson, president & co-founder, Little Red Barn Brewers

"I love photography and I am volunteering at my alma mater, The Gilbert School, so today’s students have pictures of some of their best times and achievements in high school. It is important to document things that students are passionate about. In order to keep the students connected during this period of social distancing, I created a front porch project for seniors. I went around and took pictures of seniors on their front porch. With those pictures and others I have taken throughout the year, I created a slideshow to share with the students and parents. One word to describe the American worker? Essential (no matter what your occupation is!)"

—Holly Cassaday, volunteer community photographer, Winsted, CT

“Working for a local community bank is very rewarding for me in the sense that I am very involved in the community through day-to-day interaction with customers and community events, and by being on the fire department as well. It allows me to meet new people as well as give back to my community. The customer interaction and helping customers with their financial needs is very rewarding to me. I feel a sense of accomplishment when their needs have been met. Every day brings a new challenge, and I am continually learning. Being a financial institution, we enhance the community through events we provide and or support. That is very important to me. We remain dedicated to helping our customers with their financial needs.

One word to describe the American worker: Dedication"

—Tammi Pavano, teller and CSR, Northwest Community Bank

“I love that education and leadership are unpredictable. No one could have imagined how our world has changed so drastically in such a short period of time. It makes me so proud to work with staff and families that want nothing but the best for children. Education matters because in a time of uncertainty, a strong relationship, smile, or a virtual chat might be the very thing that makes someone's day. While we always say reading, writing, and math are important, right now, love, care, and compassion are what we celebrate and share.

One word to describe the American Worker: Dedicated"

—Melony Brady-Shanley, superintendent, Winchester Public Schools

"Serving the people that are on the front line caring for patients is a privilege; helping them with innovative technologies that ease risk and make them more effective is quite simply an honor. I work with ultraviolet light that kills pathogens that kill people. Our technology is being used by clinicians to disinfect items like the N95 mask that are in critically low supply right now due to the pandemic.

Every year, nearly 1 Million people become infected by an infection they didn't walk into the hospital with. Your phones carry about 25,000 germs per square inch. Every time you touch your phone there is a 70% chance a pathogen will transfer to and from your hand. Some pathogens can live on a phone for up to 30 months, and coronavirus can live on a device for up to 9 days. While hand-washing is the most critical aspect to reducing hospital-acquired infections, the first thing you do when you are finished washing your hand is pickup your phone, undermining and potentially recontaminating your hand. We have learned that having powerful UVC technology, where clinicians have free use of it to disinfect phones, tablets, and other mobile devices, can be critical in an emergency to protect healthcare workers. We must clinically integrate this technology in seamless ways so that disinfection capabilities are ubiquitous.

One word to describe the American worker? Resilient. The American healthcare worker: Hero"

—David Englehardt, founder and CEO, ReadyDock, Avon, CT

"For me the teaching experience has always been a face-to-face, hands-on connection between a community of leaders and learners. Since the pandemic, I cannot give my students high-fives; however, every day I can feel their personalities come through in their hellos and comments on Google Classroom, I can see their hard work in the wonderful drawings they create, and hear their voices come through as they answer questions about the visual arts. The wonderful thing about introducing an art experience to children is that they are naturally creative beings. Children create for the sake of creating something amazing to be shared with others. I am so proud of the community of parents and caregivers who have stepped up to partner with educators in order to keep our children moving forward with learning. They are single-handedly doing what a team of people usually accomplish during a school day. The American spirit is strong and we will overcome!

One word to describe the American worker: Resourceful"

—Polly Karr Vouglas, art teacher, West Simsbury, CT

"I am a third generation member of the fire department, so it’s in my blood. The volunteer fire service has been losing members for many years, and the lack of new members keeps many older members (like me) active in the hope that we can inspire younger generations to see the value of the fire service. Not only does the work we do help mitigate emergencies and save lives, but by providing public education to schools and adult living communities, along with sponsoring parades and other community events, we also make a large contribution to the overall sense of community. I love the satisfaction of assisting those that call and need our services and being able to help mitigate their situation with a positive outcome—to protect life, property, and the environment.

One word to describe the American worker: Dependable"

—David Sartirana, fire chief, Winsted Fire Department, Winsted, CT

"For me it’s all about the joy we bring to our customers’ faces. I always try to take each transaction as a special moment for each customer, whether it’s making small talk with a regular customer, a simple smile, or a wave to the kids peeking in our windows. I’m always amazed that the simple product of ice cream can be a cure-all for all of your emotions. If you’re happy, not having a good day, celebrating an event, or just having a night out with friends, we are supplying the public with a service that covers it all.

One word to describe the American worker: Essential"

—Carm D’Urso, manager, Dairy Queen, Winsted, CT

"I come from a long line of soldiers and marines, and federal, state, and local police officers, as well as firefighters. The work I do within policing has given me the opportunity to serve the community I grew up in. What drives me is the family history of service to this nation, state, and local communities, being able to build bonds with the young, elderly, rich, and poor. I take pride in giving respect and building rapport to not only law abiding citizens, but also to the people who have been accused of a crime. I have also had the honor of becoming a DARE Officer. I get the chance to change the lives of our youth, but they also have changed my life in ways I could not explain in words.

The pandemic has brought many challenges to policing. We have the responsibility of keeping ourselves safe along with the people we interact with, but a bigger concern to all of us is not bringing this disease back to our loved ones at home.

One word to describe the American worker: Resilient"

—Daniel Pietrafesa, police officer, Winsted Police Department, Winsted, CT

"It’s important to make people aware of what’s happening in their communities. We have large news organizations that have forgotten about people in the smaller parts of the world and America, including the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. Everyone matters, no matter what town or city they are from or where they live. Winsted Phoenix was created as a service in order to provide news and information to an underserved population. I’ve been covering more and more events that have been held remotely, and I’ve been updating the website daily with the town-by-town count of Covid-19 cases. It’s very grim, but people need to know what is happening in Connecticut and in their towns. If it encourages people to be more careful through social distancing and washing their hands, then it’s well worth it.

One word to describe the American worker: Underappreciated."

—Shaw Israel Izikson, editor, The Winsted Phoenix, Winsted, CT

"I get to work with team members who barely hesitate to jump in when things get chaotic, and even when it’s just plain busy, we help and support each other. We work hard, for lots of reasons, and for all that carries with it, we get up and do it again the next day. I hold close the knowledge that every time I go to work I can make a difference in someone’s life, start a healing process, calm their fears, or ease their pain.

Since this viral illness has taken hold of our population, we have been in high gear preparing for victims of the virus, and caring for all the other patients safely simultaneously. It’s quite a juggling act. The health care workers in the mask/gloves/N95masks/face shields/paper gowns? That’s exactly what it looks like. It gets sweaty and hard to breathe. My team members and I are doing everything we usually do in an emergency room, and more, and we are now doing it with the added stress and discomfort of the current crisis, without hesitation. For me, it comes back to the privilege of being there for someone during a really difficult time and helping them through it.

One word to describe the American worker: Dedicated"

—Eli Horowitz, RN, emergency department clinical lead, Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Torrington, CT

“Face-to-face encounters and meeting people in the community have become challenging. Many clients I work with are struggling with their routine—the safe places they would typically go, such as soup kitchens, have closed. Within days of finding out about the closings, I was able to set up a Little Free Pantry, handing out daily lunches outside, and within two weeks collected almost $4,000 in donations to help feed our community. Someone should not have to worry about food. I like to give people hope when they feel they have no hope.

One word to describe the American worker: Pride”

—Sarah Toomey, community outreach and recovery navigator, Litchfield County, CT