[vc_single_image source=”featured_image” img_size=”full”]“Zoe’s learned lots of new ‘words’ from being around Beit T’Shuvah’s residents – and to her credit, she never repeats them,” laughs Zoe’s colleague, Beit T’Shuvah Controller Gela Katrikh.

The next time you are on the third floor, stop by the Finance Department and meet accountant Zoe Wei. Zoe, 26, hails from Liaoning, a northeastern province of the People’s Republic of China. In China, she received both a degree in finance and certification in accounting.

Zoe has been in the United States for three years. When she first arrived, she spent almost a year in Virginia studying English – and she also met her husband. Each found a job in Los Angeles; now, they live on the Westside.

At Beit T’Shuvah, Zoe handles accounts payable and receivable. Additionally (and equally important to this writer), she handles residents’ work therapy stipends. “One of the things I like here is meeting people from all different areas at Beit T’Shuvah,” says Zoe. Julie deMayo, BTS’s CFO, is quick to clarify. “Although Zoe’s friendly,” Julie deMayo, BTS’s CFO, tells us, “she doesn’t let anyone push her around.” (Residents, take note.)

Zoe found the opportunity at Beit T’Shuvah at Indeed.com. Everyone is happy that she did. “We were very, very lucky to find Zoe. There were other candidates for her job, some of whom seemed more qualified on paper, and happily, we got the best of the bunch,” says Julie. Gela joins in, “Zoe always does a wonderful job.” (Zoey blushes.) The esteem is mutual. “I really like working with Julie and Gela.”

“I have been surprised since I came to the U.S. by how friendly people are. In China, people pass one another without speaking. In the U.S., even strangers on the street say hello to each other,” says Zoey, smiling. “I feel like my new life just started.”