Finding Nourishment at Work

Bertha Segura De Gonzalez has worked at Vital Bridges for 15 years. She loves her job, though it can involve some heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively. Since participants from READI Chicago have started working at Vital Bridges, though, they’ve taken a load off Bertha’s shoulders.


“They’ve become so important to me here,” Bertha said. “They really take charge and take ownership of their work, and I don’t have to do the heavy lifting anymore.”


Vital Bridges is a program of Heartland Alliance Health that provides nutritious food and nutrition services to people living with HIV/AIDS at three locations throughout the city. At the Garfield Park location, which serves almost 250 adults and children, READI Chicago participants “shop” the pantry for clients, gathering the groceries that clients request each week, and they help Bertha with tasks such as stocking and taking inventory.



“The READI Chicago participants are very respectful and accepting of our clients,” Bertha said. “They make sure clients get everything they ask for, and they really go out of their way to help them however they can.”


Terrell, who has been a participant in READI Chicago for 16 months and working at Vital Bridges for four months, said this has been his favorite experience throughout the program.


“I feel especially great about doing this work because I come from a rough lifestyle and past,” Terrell said. “It’s a new experience, like nothing I’ve done before, and now I love meeting new people. It’s really increased my confidence.”