September 3, 2003

Mr. Frank Gallagher
The Academy of Natural Sciences
1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19103-1195

Dear Frank,

Last week, Joanne Bunch informed me that you plan to retire from the mailroom at the end of October. I would like to personally thank you, Frank, for the years of mentoring the participants in Transitional Work Corporation's program.

I measure the quality of our work partners on three criteria: a willingness to take and train anyone, an ability to work with career advisors and participants in sometimes exceptional circumstances, and the likelihood that those accepted by you will end up employed. Based upon this, you have been an exceptional work partner, perhaps one of our best. Literally hundreds of women and children have bettered their lives because of your efforts. And it is a credit to you that they have not only succeeded but that they themselves credit you by calling or dropping by for a visit.

On a personal note, Frank, it has been a pleasure working with you, both as a career advisor and then as a team leader, working through other career advisors. Your patience, your generosity and your decency were seen by anyone that you encountered, and I have always been amazed by the work that you did day in and day out on behalf of our participants. I know that you always thought my job was hard, but it's nothing compared to the work that you put into making the women that you mentored successful.

And they have been. I have attached a list of names of all the women you helped succeed in getting jobs: your own personal hall of fame. You have touched their lives more than even they can know.

Thank you,
Michael D. Gathje
Employment Team Director
mgathje@transitionalwork.org