Bari Winters is thankful for her family. She celebrated Thanksgiving in Brooklyn with her mother, stepfather, her aunt and step-aunt.

"I'm also thankful to YAI for helping me find this job,” says Bari, 37, referring to her job at Old Navy in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan, where she has worked for a year. She was working there on Black Friday and the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Staff Support

"We are in heaven,”  adds Susan Stern, Bari's mother. "We are really ecstatic with everything YAI has done. The staff really worked hard to get her that job.”

Susan figured Bari could work in office, doing clerical or mail room tasks. Bari, who joined YAI's Brooklyn Employment Services in 2012, had other ideas. She wanted a fashion retail position. She is extremely knowledgeable about the Old Navy brand and its merchandise.

She Knows Old Navy Brand

"There's Rockstar, curvy, boyfriend, boot cut,” she says, barely taking a breath as she describes the Old Navy brand of jeans and styles. She knows which run large or true to size and is quick to add, "and you get 40 percent off!”

It was that passion, which landed Bari what she calls her "dream job” at Old Navy. She helps customers find what they're looking for, sorts and folds clothing and helps wherever she is needed. "If you open an Old Navy credit card, you'll get an additional 15 percent off your first purchase. That's in addition to the 40 percent discount,” she says.

Impressive Interview

Unbeknownst to YAI staff, Bari did not reveal the extent of her Old Navy knowledge, until she was interviewing for the position.

"The woman conducting the interview didn't know that Bari was going to talk about the brand and product,” says Kim Pantin, YAI Employment Training Specialist, who sat in on the interview for support. "It was amazing to see. Afterward, I knew she was going to get the job.”

Adjusting to Employment Trends

With customers' preferences to shop online, opportunities for individuals YAI supports to work in retail stores are harder to find, according to Cary Williams, YAI's Marketing Representative for Employment/Day Services. "We need to work on enhancing computer skills, so people can work at the digital cash register,” Cary says. 

Today Bari couldn't be happier in her job. "She really puts her heart and soul into it,” her mother says.

"YAI helped me get ready for interviews,” Bari says. "Staff taught me how to talk to customers, dress for a job, interact with colleagues.”

A Job and Much More

Bari's confidence shines as she interacts with the customers.

"I love it here,” she says. "I recommend Old Navy, if they don't have your size on the floor, I can go in the stockroom or page someone to get me your size.”

Old Navy couldn't ask for a better brand ambassador.