After being laid off from his job, 31-year old Damien was eager to complete the commercial truck driving program, get his CDL license and go back to work. He completed his paperwork in one week, including scoring a silver credential on the Work Ready Assessment.
He achieved perfect attendance during the 3-week intensive program at America's Driving Force while at the same time looking for employment. Immediately upon completion of his training program, he was employed with U.S. Express making $17.81/hour.
Elaine previously worked as a Cad Designer where she designed architectural details for homes, and offices until she was laid off and due to the decline in the building industry, was unable to secure another position.
Elaine learned about WIA and was diligent in providing all of the required documentation and needed to apply. She applied to Kennesaw State University and was accepted into The Coles School of Business. She was able to transfer two years of college credit towards her degree. Frequent moves had prevented her from obtaining her Bachelors Degree and becoming a Certified Public Accountant. However, with WIA funding Elaine is now able to pursue her original goal.
Elaine plans on participating in Kennesaw State University’s Experiential Education Program, which will provide her with a paid work opportunity in the accounting field prior to graduation. It provides school credit along with valuable work experience which she will be able to include on her resume.
Elaine is a fine example of an individual who has been adversely impacted by the current economy, faced other challenges and is now able to pursue her dream in a field that will be financially and personally rewarding.
With over 20 years of work experience in customer service, logistics, administration, and human resources, Nancy experienced layoffs from two employers in three years. She was interested in working in HR or the health field. After a review of the labor market and credentials required for job placement she decided to pursue a short term health occupations credential and enrolled in the CNA/PCT program at Education and Career Resources of Georgia. Nancy was not sure about her ability as a more mature student with no post secondary experience but she quickly rose to the top of her class. Upon graduation she put all of her energy into job search and completed an additional two weeks of training at Cardio Net where she then obtained employment as an EKG Tech earning $14 per hour. Nancy also earned a Georgia Work Gold level certification.
Except for seasonal, part-time work for the IRS, Patricia had been laid off since November 2006. She first came to WIA and completed her Career Scope and Work Ready Assessments and selected the Microsoft Certified Office Specialist training program at Clayton State University. Soon afterwards, CSU Continuing Education Department discontinued the program, so Patricia had to research and select another training program. Unfortunately, Adult WIA funds were exhausted for the program year, so Patricia continued working part-time job with the IRS, waiting for funding.
When the stimulus funds became available Patricia began her Business Office Administration program at Advanced Career Training. After completing her classroom portion Patricia did her externship with Morgan Southern, Inc. They liked her work so well that she was hired making $12.00 an hour as a Fuel Tax Administrator, and is looking forward to full medical and retirement benefits after her probationary period ends. During all but 2 of the 8 months of Patricia’s training program, she was working with the IRS until 2:30 PM, and then driving from downtown during rush hour traffic to get to her training class at Advanced Career Training in Morrow by 6:00 PM. After class ended at 11:00 PM each night, she had to complete any homework and then get back to work for the IRS early the next day. Patricia’s main goal was to learn Accounting Software and she accomplished this when she became proficient in Microsoft Excel.
She wants to work her way into the Accounts Payable role using the new skills she learned and applying them at Morgan Southern, Inc.
Youth Success Stories
Kylon enrolled in the ‘Georgia Step Up’ Program and began working at 1-800-GOT JUNK, a recycling company. Initially his prospective employer was looking for an older employee. However at age 15, Kylon did so well during his interview that he became their first choice in the interview process and he was offered a job that very day. Kylon managed to save $100 per paycheck so that he could help to buy school supplies for his brother and his own upcoming school year.
Kylon was a true success while enrolled in the ‘Georgia Step Up’ Program. He and the program were featured in a front page story of the Fayette County News. The article stated that Kylon is one of only 48 students who was chosen to be a member of the W.E.B. Dubois Society which honors outstanding African American students and is one of only 50 students chosen for the Model Atlanta Regional Commission (MARC) program.
19-yr old Chrystopher entered the ARWB summer youth program at PEPP, Inc., with a lack of motivation and needed the support of the program to help him believe in himself. Initially inconsistent with attendance and punctuality, he impressed everyone as he grew in confidence and determination, becoming one of the most reliable employees in the summer program. Chrystopher completed courses in financial literacy, workplace literacy, resume writing, interview etiquette and completed all of the subjects in the WIN program which prepared Chrystopher for the workplace and enabled him to excel in his position at Star Acquisitions. Chrystopher is employed full time and continues to receive promotions at Star Acquisitions, currently making $8/hour.
Julia became a participant with the ARWB Youth Program at Hearts to Nourish. She began working in Hearts’ office and was actively involved in assisting with the large task of getting Heart’s portion of the ‘Georgia Step Up’ Program started. She helped bring businesses into partnerships as well as assisting in matching the students with the businesses. Julia faced another challenge when her father was hospitalized - she visited her father in the hospital, helped her mother by looking after her brothers and still managed to be at work on time, everyday. She managed to juggle all of the things that were going on in her life and did it brilliantly.
Julia is currently enrolled in college at Mercer University, studying to become a nurse. She received 4 scholarships, including the Ty Cobb Scholarship and the Congressional Black Caucus Cheerios Health Brand Scholarship.
Julia has volunteered with the Victory World Church, Good Samaritan Health Clinic, and currently with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. She has been involved with the Baptist College Ministries and under their guidance, visited Honduras and utilized her Spanish speaking skills while assisting in the pharmaceutical, evangelism and nursing stations. She took the opportunity to visit and help set up clinics in remote mountain villages, small churches and schools. She assisted in passing out parasite medications, vitamins and candy while going door to door. Julia’s commitment and determination to achieve her goals is commendable. She is 19 years old, yet despite her youth she is someone that we can all look up to as a role model. Her spirit of giving and determination will allow Julia to become whatever she decides to be.
Katie participated in paid internships, career expo, college tours and joined Youthbuild to help gain vocational skills in green construction. Being the youngest in her family, Katie started her high school career with emotional and discipline issues. Shortly before enrolling in school, Katie’s father passed away and left her with tremendous grief. During Katie’s senior year, she decided to join the YouthBuild program to learn additional work skills in construction and finish her academics. Recently, friends and staff watched Katie walk across the stage to receive her high school diploma and her certificate of completion from YouthBuild.
She is currently working full-time at Rite Aid, making $8.00 dollars/hour as a cashier and soon will be starting college.
Customer Comments
"I recently moved here without my family or a job. My boyfriend introduced me to Mr. James Bruin and the Gwinnett County Youth Project at the Norcross Career Resource Center. Mr. Bruin always greets me with some good news about job openings or a job fair -- always with excitement in his voice. He kept his word when he said he could help me. I have never had anyone help me to get a job and I definitely have not had anyone trying to make it easier for me to go school. He has enrolled me in the Work Ready Workshop. Words cannot express how much Mr. Bruin has touched my life. I hope he can stick around for at least another 20 years so that when I have kids, they can have the pleasure of working with him also. Thank you so much Mr. Bruin and keep on keeping on! " - S. Barr
"I never believed it was possible to get a second chance. Ms. Covington's professionalism and guidance were outstanding through my journey of retraining. I am most grateful to her and the staff at the Clayton CRC - their belief that I could succeed made all the difference." - A. Mullikin
"I want to thank Ms. Jenkins for all the support she gave me while I worked toward my dream of being a registered nurse. I appreciate all of the help WIA has given me. My dream is finally a reality! I went from driving a forklift in a warehouse to a registered nurse working in surgery! Thank you so much!" - S. Kimmel, RN