Single Mom Becomes a RN Story Image

Single Mom Becomes a RN

Jennifer came to Livingst... +
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Name: Jennifer
Date: 10/30/2023
Career Pathway: Health Science
Program: WIOA Adult
Impacted Geographical Area: County
Location of Service: 61764-2738

Jennifer came to Livingston Workforce Services looking for financial support as she attends school to become a Registered Nurse (RN). She had already qualified for financial aid, including PELL and MAP, which covered the cost of her tuition and books; however, she needed assistance paying for gas to attend classes. As a single mother with five children, Jennifer worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant and received SNAP benefits. While attending school, Jennifer excelled in her classes, making Heartland Community College’s Dean’s List nearly every semester and being inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. To help her stay afloat while taking classes through the WIOA program, she received gas reimbursement and funds to cover supplies required for her clinical courses. A portion of her mortgage was paid for through the WIOA program to help maintain housing for her family. In May 2023, Jennifer completed her Associate Degree in Nursing at Heartland Community College. Over the summer, she passed the NCLEX-RN exam and was promoted at her current employer to a Registered Nurse. As a result, Jennifer is now able to support her family financially!

Single Mom Earns GED Plus a New Career! Story Image

Single Mom Earns GED Plus a New Career!

Amber came to us looking ... +
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Name: Amber
Date: 08/16/2022
Career Pathway: Health Science
Program: WIOA Adult
Location of Service: 61739-1332

Amber came to us looking for assistance with obtaining her GED and continuing to become a Physical Therapist Assistant. She was a single mother who was working and receiving SNAP benefits. Within a few months of enrolling in Adult Education services, Amber passed the final portion of her GED and earned her High School Equivalency. The following semester, Amber enrolled in general education courses at Heartland Community College to pursue their Physical Therapist Assistant program. She was able to receive enough PELL and MAP to cover the tuition and books required for her classes, however, she needed assistance with gas to get to her classes in Normal. She progressed well through her general studies and took a semester off to have a baby. Last summer, she realized it was taking longer than she anticipated to complete the Physical Therapist Assistant program, so she decided to change her area of study to Medical Assistant. With the approval of the change in programs, we were able to continue to reimburse Amber's gas to class, pay for supplies needed for her clinical class, and also helped pay a portion of a utility bill as an emergency supportive service. Doing so helped her stay afloat until she could start earning a self-sufficient wage. In May 2022, she earned her Medical Assistant Certificate. Within a couple of weeks, she applied and accepted a CMA position at an area hospital. Amber has expressed her appreciation for the opportunity: “Everyone was kind and very prompt to help guide me through this whole process. This program was a blessing. Thank you so much for everything you have done for me.”

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Name: Amanda
Date: 07/14/2022
Career Pathway: Health Science
Program: WIOA Adult
Location of Service: 61764-9168

Amanda was a single mom who was out of work. She inquired about the CNA industry and after hearing more about our program enrolled in the class. Through our scholarship, she was able to receive her tuition, books, clinical supplies, and gas paid for so she had no out of pockets costs to obtain her diploma. After obtaining her certification, she quickly became employed at Accolade Healthcare as a CNA. 

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Name: Cory
Date: 07/14/2022
Career Pathway: Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Program: WIOA Adult
Location of Service: 61364-3951

Cory was referred to our program by Heartland Community College. He had no recent work history and needed to upgrade his skills in order to find self-sustaining employment. After completing a drug test and physical in order to identify he was capable of pursuing employment in the trucking industry, Cory enrolled in a CDL class. It was a hardship traveling nearly 500 miles per week to get to class; however, with help from our gas reimbursement program, he was able to make it work. In just over 4 weeks, he obtained his CDL and was employed by Nussbaum Trucking the following week. 

Experience received Story Image

Experience received

Hannah was referred to ou... +
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Name: Hannah
Date: 06/13/2022
Career Pathway: Health Science
Program: WIOA Youth
Location of Service: 61739-9138

Hannah was referred to our program by one of her teachers. She had never worked before but was a good student and knew she would be an asset to an employer if given the opportunity. Her strengths and interests made her a good fit for the Enrichment department at Fairview Haven. The experience proved successful because she earned her high school diploma, and once she completed her allowed time on our program, Fairview Haven hired her on directly.

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Name: Brandon
Date: 06/13/2022
Career Pathway: Wholesale Trade
Program: WIOA Adult
Location of Service: 60917-0000

Brandon inquired about our services because he was looking for more opportunities. He had longevity with his employer and enjoyed working there but was interested in options to help him be promoted. He was currently earning a wage that was not self-sufficient for his family but if he obtained his Commercial Driver’s License he could see an increase in his wage. Although his training took a little longer than anticipated due to COVID shutdowns, he was able to complete the CDL program while working full time.  He was promoted and received the wage increase.

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Name: Kaitlyn
Date: 06/13/2022
Career Pathway: Transportation, Distribution and Logistics
Program: WIOA Youth
Location of Service: 61764-9427

Kaitlyn wanted to travel. With the transportation industry booming following COVID, it was a great time to turn that hobby into a career. The Travel Specialist program at the International Air and Hospitality Academy was an opportunity for Kaitlyn to become trained in 5 short months. Her goal of achieving her certificate so that she could work for an airline and eventually be promoted to a travel agent worked as planned. She was hired by the Dallas Fort Worth Airport within weeks of finishing her program.

A Second Act for Kate Story Image

A Second Act for Kate

After over 30 years in th... +
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Name: Katherine
Date: 05/10/2022
Career Pathway: Manufacturing
Program: Dislocated Worker Services
Impacted Geographical Area: City or ZIP Code
Location of Service: 60901-7179

After over 30 years in the beauty industry, my life came to a crossroads when I decided to change careers. Working in a salon for ten years encouraged me to get my teaching license in cosmetology. A fantastic opportunity to teach for Paul Mitchell Schools came along, and I found it rewarding. While working on my career path at Paul Mitchell, I achieved the role of Education Leader, which was a management position. But, when I lost my passion and love for the beauty industry, I was not sure what I wanted to do next. I needed to find a job, but I was lacking the college degree needed to apply for the jobs in which I was interested. After a year without any luck finding a job, I decided to go back to college and finish my education.

My journey or let’s just say second act was to go back to school at forty-nine years old. I was not sure how I going to afford college, but when I was doing research at the KCC website I came across the WIOA program. It was a scholarship program to help with the cost of your education for people who may have struggled financially, and an opportunity to get an education as well as job opportunities after graduation.

My experience with the WIOA program and KCC was amazing! I will definitely say going back to college late in life was not easy, but I learned a lot and found it rewarding. I do not have any regrets, just more knowledge and experience needed to find the right job fit for me.

I received two Associate degrees from KCC within 2½ years: Applied Science-Office Professional and Business. In addition, I received the Microsoft Office Certificate. I am currently working on my Microsoft Certification and will become a Microsoft expert within the next year.

After graduation, a recruiter for Kensing Solutions in Kankakee found me on LinkedIn, and it led to a job offer for the role of Administrative Logistic Specialist. I want to thank all the professors who taught me over the last two years as well as my family and friends who supported me in my new journey for my second half of my life. Sending out love and gratitude to everyone I crossed paths with.