Success Stories and Customer Comments

Success Stories

After working for 10 years and taking time off to care for her children, Teresa, a single parent with 3 children, struggled to find adequate employment to meet her needs.  She is currently taking a heavy course load of 17 quarter hours and working part-time providing clerical support at a technical college campus.  She is finishing up her 5th quarter towards her AA accounting degree.

Kristi applied for WIA assistance to attend LPN training after losing her job due to an injury.  Due to the rigorous demands of the LPN program, she was not able to continue her part-time job.  Her family learned to live on very little income while she was in school.  Financial problems, family needs, injuries, and the demands of the training program never got in her way.  Kristi now works as an LPN.

Larissa was unable to get into her first training choice (RN training) due to the stiff competition.  She met with program staff and “redirected” her career to laboratory technician training, pursuing a high demand career in Health Care. 

Porsha is a strong, motivated 18 year old single parent.  After giving birth to her daughter, she enrolled at Phoenix High School where she was able to complete courses, graduating with a GPA of 3.2.  Porsha is currently enrolled full time in cosmetology school at Pro-Way Beauty School while working 10 hour days as a travel consultant. She plans to take business courses in hopes of one day opening her own salon.  Porsha has proven that hard work and determination can lead to progress and success.

Coming from a low income family that continues to struggle with financial issues, Michelle began attending Prevention Plus/Forest Park Street School. After her enrollment, she became pregnant with her first child yet she was serious about her academic future.  She was elected by her peers to be the Forest Park Street School student liaison to the Prevention Plus Board of Directors.  She graduated with a GPA of 3.9 and is currently working.

Oscar began his participation at Hearts to Nourish Hope where his brother was already enrolled.  Oscar worked at the DHR Summer Learning Program as an Assistant Youth Counselor, working with Video Technology Apprenticeship.  Oscar continued to work with staff until he found other employment and was able to start college at Atlanta Area Technical College.  During his time at Hearts, he received assistance to help him graduate high school, gain employment experience in Video Technology, enter technical college, and find a full-time job.  Oscar's biggest challenge came in the form of a personal tragedy.  Oscar's only brother, Anthony, was killed.  Despite the overwhelming loss and pain, his family decided to make Anthony's death count toward something positive.  Oscar and his mother worked with Hearts to Nourish Hope to organize a Walk for Peace in honor of Anthony.  The walk encouraged youth to denounce violence by burying the negative and releasing the positive.  Hundreds of youth in Clayton County participated and the walk was a great success.

Jerimy has been a participant of Hearts to Nourish Hope’s summer program, where his participation has allowed him to learn different apprenticeships and skills. Recently, Jerimy helped produce and write the film “Independent Living” that was broadcast on local channels. Although he has faced challenges in his class work, Jerimy still maintains a 3.0 GPA, is involved in the band and has accomplished many things despite a brain aneurysm and doctors’ prognosis that he would never walk or talk.  Jerimy continues to set and achieve many goals.

Tim was a dislocated worker who had to leave his job for medical reasons.  Tim’s limited education and medical conditions prevented him from working on jobs that require a lot of walking. He attended truck driving training and went to work quickly as a truck driver after completion of his training.  He drives locally so that he can be home with his family every evening.   In responding to a WIA follow-up letter, Tim wrote, “I would like to say thank you for me and my family.  You make a difference in people's lives."
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
"Many job seekers experience temporary financial setbacks and have to make tough choices when traveling long distances to find access to resources to help in their search for work.  The CRC, Douglas branch offered me both a nearby location and resources needed for a successful job search.  My success is due in part to Ms. Moore, the tremendously helpful career advisor that offered useful suggestions on attending job fairs, resume writing, and conducting internet job searches as well as the resources available to me such as the fax and copy machines, internet access, and job search literature.  I know I speak for many when I say thank you for the support and making these resources easily available."  D. Alexander
"My case was very unusual since I have over 20 years experience in engineering, but lacked a 4-year degree.  With the assistance of ARC, I completed a BS in Industrial Engineering in 2 years. I’m now working as a senior mechanical engineer and thank you for your support."  D. Vargas  
"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
"Ms. Bailey, I was able to put your interviewing, networking and resume writing ideas to good use and obtained my position as a claims asst. with a major insurance company here n Atlanta.  My husband will also begin his new job with the Dept. of Transportation. We appreciate your encouragement during a very difficult transition period resulting from Hurrican Katrina.  Your efforts have been invaluable to both of us." C. Hudson-Goodall

Would you like to share your experience with the WIA programs?  Please contact us at workforce@atlantaregional.com

 

Last modified Wednesday, May 14, 2008 15:25