Learn more about our workplace culture, benefits, and open positions.
Life at LifeWorks NW
Meet Wendy Sell, Resource Specialist
LifeWorks NW staff work across different programs, departments, and sites. Get to know some of the amazing people on the LifeWorks NW team and visit our career page to learn more about job opportunities.
Meet Wendy Sell, Resource Specialist, lifelong learner, and world traveler. Wendy helps LifeWorks NW clients with housing, education and employment, and food security, and she represents the organization at community events.
“I do a lot of housing,” she explains. “Housing is the biggest part of my job right now, but that’s because it is by far the highest need.” One of the rewards of her work is when she is able to help a family avoid eviction or get a houseless client in housing.
“I get to see the tangible benefits of my work in a shorter amount of time than perhaps someone who is providing long term therapy,” Wendy says.
Joining LifeWorks NW after college
Wendy’s path to LifeWorks NW was unconventional. "I didn’t graduate from college until I was 52,” she says. Her first attempt at college out of high school was challenging due to a diagnosed learning disability. Faced with supporting herself, Wendy went back to school after her divorce. Her second attempt was much more successful – Wendy earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Concordia University with honors.
Wendy’s first job out of college was at LifeWorks NW, where she began as a Case Manager for the Tigard Adult Outpatient program in 2014. "I wanted to help people full-time," she says. She took on her current role in 2018 and has stayed with LifeWorks NW ever since.
Building relationships in the community
Another, more visible aspect of Wendy's role is representing LifeWorks NW in the community at resource fairs.
"A lot of my job is building relationships," she says. "I think the biggest thing when a at an event is greeting people with warmth and a smile so that they'll want to take a moment to hear about our services!"
She also networks with other nonprofits. "I talk about LifeWorks NW as an organization that has provided help, hope, and recovery for more than 60 years," she says. "I talk about the lifespan of our programs."
Traveling around the world
When not working, Wendy is often off on adventures with her husband, Ray. The couple has been to over fifteen countries. They also often "glamp" in a converted Greyhound bus. Family is important to Wendy, who has three grown sons. They expect their seventh grandchild soon.
"The grandkids are probably my biggest joy," says Wendy.
