Michigan Works! Success Stories
November 2011
SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS!
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Angela Vining
Angela Vining dropped out of school in 10th grade and today she is an LPN at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. Now that is the definition of success!
Angela went back to school and obtained her GED. While she was raising her children, she worked as a CNA for 15 years. “I always wanted to be a nurse, but my husband had a good job and I didn’t feel like I needed to go back to school. Then the economy got tough and his job was threatened. Then I knew it was time to go back to school.” Angela says. Angela came to Gratiot County Michigan Works! for assistance with tuition. The No Worker Left Behind assisted with tuition costs for the RN program at Montcalm Community College.
In May of 2011, Angela graduated from the RN program at Montcalm Community College. “We did this as a family. I could not have done it without my kids and husband. It was a learning experience for everyone. We all had had to chip in to take care of the household. School was not easy, but doing what I loved helped me though it” explains Angela.
Because of her education she was able to assist her father when he was refusing to go to the hospital when having a heart attack. Angela also was able to stay calm and assist her husband while he suffered from severe burns. “My education has not been just for a career, but it has also helped me take care of my family” said Angela.
“I love being a nurse and couldn’t imagine doing anything different. I love working with geriatrics. Every day I make a difference in their day. There is nothing better than that.”
Jodi Carter
Jodi Carter came into the Isabella County Michigan Works! office after losing her job and filing for unemployment. Jodi came into the office to create her resume and register for work. Jodi job searched on several web-sites looking for employment opportunities in her previous career and was unsuccessful. Jodi then decided that she needed to reeducate herself and asked about the training options that Michigan Works! offered. To Jodi’s surprise she found out that Michigan Works! has a program that could pay for the Certified Nurse’s Assistant training she was interested in. Jodi thought she would be getting a loan or at the very least a partial grant she didn’t know that she could qualify for the entire training cost.
Jodi worked with her Employment Specialist to complete the necessary steps to get enrolled into the program and to start her new career. Jodi entered the Certified Nurse’s Assistant program at Gratiot Technical Education Center receiving assistance with tuition, books, scrubs, shoes, blood pressure cuff and stethoscope. Jodi’s Employment Specialist was there to help her through each step, providing case management services to assist in achieving her goal.
Jodi completed her program at the end of May and within three months of completing her training in the WIA Adult program she found employment working as an on-call Direct Care Worker. Before Jodi really started her position she was upgraded to part time and within two months Jodi received a promotion to full time as a Coordinator for Community Living Services.
Jodi states “I enjoyed the process of learning a new skill and without the training and help from Michigan Works I wouldn’t have gotten my new job. Everyone was so helpful and the program really works.”
Lisa Torres from McBride Quality Care shared that “Jodi has been a great worker. She is overseeing a home and two staff. We definitely see her moving up with McBride’s in the future."
Sheila Hansen
Sheila Hansen came to Michigan Works! after losing her accounting job in 2009. Sheila had a fair amount of experience in the accounting field but was finding it difficult to find employment without a college degree. She had a already taken some classes at Montcalm Community College (MCC) and was interested in pursuing her Associates degree to help her find employment. With funding assistance from Michigan Works!, Sheila went to MCC to attain her Associates degree in Accounting. Showing determination and hard work, the single mother of three completed her program with a 4.0 grade point average. Her diligence was noticed by Leslie Anne Wood, Director of Workforce Training Solutions at Montcalm Community College, “As Sheila interviewed for the position with MCC (at M-TEC), we were very impressed with the array of background office skills she had gained from previous employers; that was coupled with a broad understanding of accounting and computer programming.” Sheila is now an M-Tec administrative assistant enjoying her success. Again Director Wood commented, “We are very pleased to recommend Sheila as a role model for success in the Michigan Works! training program.”
Sheila says, “I thank Michigan Works! so much for helping me attain a degree that I would never have been able to attain on my own. Hopefully more funding will become available for the thousands of other workers who have lost their jobs. And for those who feel that they may be too old to go back to school, I can assure them that you are never too old to learn.
Frederick Wolff
Frederick Wolff is an example of making your dreams come true. He was laid off in November of 2008 from Central Motor Sports where he was a sales manager for 6 years. Before he came to Michigan Works!, Fred was working on an idea for his own company. While creating his own company he began to think a degree in marketing would really help his company succeed, but the thought of going back to school seemed to be too difficult.
In December of 2009, Fred talked with his case manager about his concerns of school being too difficult. “I remember my case manager telling me, “If I could go to school full time and work full time, so can you.” Right there I knew I could go to school and get my business running and I have. The help with my tuition has been wonderful. Without the help, I would not be making my dreams come true.”
Currently Fred is attending Mid Michigan Community College and will graduate with his Associate’s Degree in Marketing in the spring of 2012. He stated, “Michigan Works! has restructured my life and gave me a different perspective of who I am and what I can achieve. Remember we are the sum of our experiences. Learn from the bad and enjoy the good.” While attending school full time, Fred’s company Wolff’s Marine Products, creates Bull Frog Rivet Aluminum Boat Hull Repair Kits which is distributed to multiple countries
Traci Coe
Traci Coe lost her job of nine years at Enterprise Leasing in May of 2009. She came to the Ionia Michigan Works! office and inquired into assistance to make a career change. After attending an orientation, she took the Careerscope test to help her decide on a new career. She also completed Work Keys testing and achieved a Silver level National Career Readiness Certificate.
A career in the legal administration field was chosen by Traci, and she started attending Lansing Community College later that month. She took her studies serious, worked very hard on her grades and graduated with a 3.95 GPA in May of 2011. She jumped right into the job search mode, using her networking skills, and successfully secured a full time job with Winters Gorman PLLC in Ionia when they opened their new legal services firm in September. She also did some volunteer work at the Ionia County Courthouse, which she feels helped her chances of getting this job.
“At a time when I felt helpless to the changes that were effecting our economy and my family’s finances after losing a job of 9 years, the decision to go to Michigan Works! for help in continuing my education was the best decision for me! Because of my help there, I have a new career.”
Partners Winters and Gorman found Traci to display the characteristics necessary to fit the image of the firm and provide excellent services to their clients. Jeff Winters said, “Traci has demonstrated a commitment to teamwork, attention to detail, professional communication with clients and court personnel, ability to develop proposals to positively affect the firm, and an overall dedication to the business. We are pleased to include Traci as an important team member in serving the legal interests of our clients.”
Diane Ackerson
When Electrolux closed in 2006, Diane Ackerson found herself without a job after 27 years. In September of 2006 Diane came to Michigan Works! for assistance.
Through Michigan Works! Diane was enrolled at AMASE, a remedial program fashioned especially for dislocated workers from Electrolux. With only a ninth grade education and learning disabilities, Diane knew she would not be able to earn her GED overnight. Diane worked diligently and although there were ups and downs, she never gave up on her goal. In October of 2007, Diane took her final GED test. “Michigan Works! helped me get my GED.”
Diane knew she wanted to continue with her education, but wasn’t quite sure which career suited her. Finally she decided to take training for Certified Nursing Assistant through GTEC (Gratiot Technical Education Center). Michigan Works! paid for her training and assisted in getting a special stethoscope as well as hearing aids for her through MRS. In July of 2008, Diane completed her CNA training.
After working briefly as a CNA, Diane discovered it was not the career for her. She was more interested in assisting with the disabled. She had been taking care of a mentally challenged grandson for years, so had much experience already. After some training with Mid-Michigan Industries, Diane applied for a job coach position and was hired. Now Diane teaches disabled, mentally challenged and handicap adults the skills they need to live independently: using a stove, personal hygiene, and cleaning to mention a few. She helps them do things they can’t do themselves like shopping, going to doctor appointments and even to the movies. ”Diane is very creative and utilizes her good problem solving ability to assist people learning new skills.” Says her supervisor Cherese Hinkel. “Her natural compassion and hard work is evident in all she does.” In October of 2011, Diane was named Employee of the Month for MMI in Stanton. In the future, Diane wants to work with special needs children.
Shashawnie Simon
Shashawnie Simon was assigned to the Michigan Works! JET program on May 2, 2011.
Shashawnie was an approved office assistant at Michigan Works! for a long period of time. We appreciated her eagerness to help out where needed. Around the same time Shashawnie enrolled in the WIA program for further assistance. Shashawnie was assisted with auto repair, insurance, mileage, and clothing while she was completing CNA training through the WIA program at GTEC. Almost immediately after completing her training, Shashawnie obtained part time employment in the health care field.
Not long after that Shashawnie reached full time employment status and is continuing successfully in her newly acquired career. As of October 26, 2011 Shashawnie has transitioned to EFIP which is a closure to income in the JET program. We are happy to see Shashawnie blossom with opportunity as a direct result of her goal setting and self determination.
Michael Campbell
Michael Campbell and his wife, Lorraine, became clients of the Ionia Michigan Works! JET program on June 30, 2011. Mike’s last full-time employer was Electrolux and their closure affected him immensely. He had been employed with them for 6 years and he thought that would be the place he would retire from. Mike had not worked since this job loss and this became his biggest barrier to overcome as many employers require recent work history from candidates. Mike discovered this as his many applications with employers in the light industrial field were overlooked due to his lack of a recent work history.
Mike changed tactics and began applying with any and every employer he could think of. His hard work and perseverance paid off as he became employed with Meijer in Ionia on October 5, 2011. The changes in Mike were astounding: he stood straighter, his shoulders lost their slump and he again found pride in himself. While he has started out part-time, his hours with Meijer have steadily increased and he believes he will be working full-time in the very near future as he is nearing the end of his training period.
The JET program has supported him during this time by providing needed vehicle repairs, insurance, registration, mileage reimbursement and clothing. Support services will continue to assist Mike with maintaining his positive accomplishments and attaining self-sufficiency for himself and his family.
Throughout the process of participating with the JET program, Mike gained some insight into himself. He stated, “Losing my job at Electrolux made me bitter, but Michigan Works! helped me get beyond it.” Mike also stated the KeyTrain Career Skills helped him with interviewing tips, how to make appropriate eye contact and how to answer tough interview questions.
Stephanie Papp
Stephanie came to the Michigan Works! JET program in April of 2011. She had just moved back to the local area to try to get some support from her family who lives locally. She had just separated from the father of her child. Her family was supportive but did not end up being as much as she needed so she turned to DHS who in turn sent her to JET. She worked very hard while in job search status to find employment and found it in about a month. Her biggest barrier was her lack of transportation to get to and from work. The JET program helped her by purchasing a car through program funds and provided financial assistance with getting the car legal to drive. JET also helped her with purchasing appropriate clothing for her new job, mileage reimbursement and bus passes to help her get to and from work before she got the car. Stephanie has worked for Country Place Apartments since May 8, 2011. Stephanie’s employer is unable to give a comment on how she is doing due to the company’s privacy rules. Stephanie is a very motivated and bright young woman with the drive to do a lot with her life. In a recent conversation with Stephanie she stated, “The Jet program helped me get back on my feet. I was able to relearn skills and techniques to better my advantage of getting back into the work force. I initially had a drive to succeed and through the JET program, along with the encouragement from my case manager, I was able to maintain my goals and get a good job.” Stephanie is still being followed by the JET program until her 180 day retention period has finished. The JET program staff is very proud of how far Stephanie has come and knows that she will continue to make improvements in her life.
Amy Johnson
Amy Johnson came to the JET program on August 1, 2011 as a single parent raising her three children alone. Amy was looking for a place to live and had to enroll her three children in a new school system and get them settled in while she was participating in JET. Amy worked very hard to find her job at McDonalds in Carson City on August 15, 2011. She was scheduled 24 hours per week, but soon was working 30 plus hours per week. Amy had prior experience in fast food positions but due to moving and taking care of family obligations, she was not able to keep her previous positions.
Amy stated, “I worked hard to get where I am. At one time my children and I picked up pop bottles for gas money. I was Employee of the Week for three weeks in a row and have been asked if I would be interested in a manager’s position. Things are going great for me and my family. There are jobs out there; you just have to work hard to find them.” The JET program helped Amy with work clothing and mileage reimbursement. When asked about how Amy was doing at her new position, Amy’s supervisor said, “Amy is very friendly and our customers love her. She comes in whenever she is called and works overtime when needed. Amy is a fun person to work with. We are in the process of hiring a manager and Amy is one of the employees that we are looking at for this position.” The JET program is very proud of the hard work and dedication Amy put into finding a job and working toward a promotion.
Tanya Mills
Tanya Mills became Trade certified through United Solar after working there for 3 years. She found herself going from a stable job to the world of unemployment. Tanya embraced this opportunity and with tuition assistance from the Trade program to attend the Dental Assistant program at Ross Medical.
Tanya stated, “Michigan Works! assisted me in obtaining funding to return to school, which would make me more marketable to obtain a full time job. My case worker has been extremely helpful in getting things in order for me.”
When asked why she decided to go back to school, Tanya said, “I became widowed and unemployed within a few short months and needed to obtain skills rather quickly to make myself marketable to obtain a job, so I decided to attend Ross Medical Dental Assisting training that can be completed in 6 months.”
“I love the training I have chosen, the dental field is very interesting to me, and I am looking forward to getting out into the work field,” said Tanya.
Dan Schmitz
Dan Schmitz attended a Trade orientation in April 2, 2009 after being laid off from Citation in Grand Rapids. His position was Senior Buyer and he had worked there since 1987. Dan researched his options for training and chose to attend the Air Conditioning, Refrigeration and Heating Technology Program at Grand Rapids Community College. Dan began schooling in August 2009 and completed his Associates Degree in April 2011. The Trade Program covered all the costs of Dan’s training including tuition, books and tools required for the program.
Dan chose in his last semester of school to be proactive as he knew it was a tough job market. He contacted a local HVAC company and offered to work unpaid for them on the days he did not have to attend classes to give him some work experience in the HVAC field. He also started searching for full time work.
Dan applied and was hired for his current position at St Peter and Paul Church as a Maintenance Manager a few weeks before he finished school. Dan volunteered unpaid at the Church until he finished school and then started paid full time work as soon as he graduated.
Adam Rewa, the Office Manager at St Peter and Paul Parish, stated the following about Dan. “St. Peter and Paul Parish hired Dan Schmitz to be a Maintenance Manager for our church and school on May 1, 2011. We had interviewed 5 other candidates but selected Dan because he seemed to be the strongest of the group. In the six months that he has been with us, he has proved to be a model employee, fulfilling all duties assigned to him. He has a great attitude, a very strong work ethic, and exactly the skills and experience to do the job. We are very happy to have him on board.”
Dan said this about his experience with Michigan Works! “After 35 years of working in manufacturing, I like so many others in Michigan, lost my job. I had a world of experience but only a high school education. Michigan Works! with Case Manager Roxanne Mier guided me every step of the way to a Degree in Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technology. The opportunity for an older worker to go to college was a wonderful experience for me. Before graduation I was hired as the Maintenance Manager at St. Peter and Paul Church in Ionia. There is no doubt that I would not have this job without a degree in this field. As I operate and maintain five boilers that heat the whole church complex. Michigan Works! did work for me.
David Morrow
David Morrow came to the Isabella County Michigan Works! in October of 2009 after being laid off from CME Mitsuba. David worked in the manufacturing field for 19 years and after his lay-off was looking to better himself and increase his marketability. David attended a TRADE orientation and decided to take advantage of the program at Michigan Works!. David was very interested in changing career paths and decided, with his Employment Specialist on a heavy equipment program. David worked with his Employment Specialist to complete the necessary steps to get enrolled to start his new career. David entered the heavy equipment program at North Country Heavy Equipment School for heavy equipment and truck driver training receiving assistance with tuition, lodging, books, mileage and subsistence. David’s Employment Specialist was there to help him through each step, providing case management services to assist in achieving his goal.
David completed his program and found a job with Swift within one month working as a over the road truck driver. David states, “with the guidance I received in finding a place to get training it created the opportunity for full time employment.” He also said “if it weren’t for the program I would not be the successful driver I am today.” Don Schulte, David’s Driver Manager from Swift stated that “David is a reliable hard worker and he is such an asset to the company that he is now a new driver trainer.”
Bobby Hardin
Bobby Hardin started working at Electrolux when he was 19 years old. He worked for over 36 years as an electrical repairman, team leader and factory foreman. When his job as a Silver Solder Welder was eliminated due to the closure of the Greenville plant in 2006, Bob came to Michigan Works! to investigate his next step.
Bob had always been mechanically inclined and worked on his own vehicles and lawn mowers. In July of 2006 his Michigan Works! Employment Specialist assisted him in enrolling at Montcalm Community College for the Automotive Technician Certificate program. Michigan Works! funded his training, including tools, tuition and books, through Trade. While in the program, Bob maintained a 3.6 GPA. In December of 2007, Bob completed his Automotive Certificate program with honors. Finding a job as an auto mechanic when his training was finished was difficult. After much searching, Bob decided to head north to the Kalkaska area, hoping his chances would improve. He often visited the Michigan Works! office in Kalkaska to job search, however, Bob found the job market there wasn’t much different from the central Michigan area.
Early in 2011, Bob returned to the Greenville area. His Michigan Works! Employment Specialist assisted him in filling out an on-line application for Wal-Mart. Soon after Bob was hired to work in the Garden Department at the Ionia Wal-Mart. In the fall, when the Garden Department closed, Bob was moved to the Seasonal Department. He enjoys his job and hopes to transfer to the Greenville Wal-Mart in the future. Bob appreciates all Michigan Works! has done to assist him. “Michigan Works! helped me get where I am today….employed.”
Robert Dickman
Robert Dickman started coming to the Gratiot County Michigan Works! soon after he was laid off from the Michigan Sugar Beet Company where he had worked as a monitor. This was a seasonal position and he was interested in a full time permanent position.
Wal-Mart was building a new store in Alma at that time and Robert decided that he wanted to apply. Applying for a position at Wal-Mart requires a person to apply online, which wasn’t an easy task for Robert since he had limited computer experience. The staff at the Gratiot County Michigan Works! assisted Robert with the online application, which was very trying considering the website kept freezing and we would have to start the whole process over again. After some time and patience, Robert was able to send his application and within weeks he had received a phone call asking him come in for an interview.
Robert was hired June 1st as a maintenance / janitor and is currently working third shift. He enjoys his job very much and is grateful for the help that the Michigan Works! staff provided him in helping to obtain his employment.
Carrie Crawford
Carrie Crawford left the cashier position she had held for 14 years in Arizona and moved to Michigan in 2010 to assist in the care of her elderly mother. Carrie had assumed that finding another job would be simple but soon discovered that she needed assistance. She came into the Isabella Michigan Works! office for assistance in finding work in the Mount Pleasant area. It had been a long time since she had lived in Michigan and wasn’t certain where to begin her search. Also, Carrie was a novice at using the available technology and needed additional assistance in navigating the internet.
The Michigan Works! staff was able to assist her with using and searching the Michigan Talent Bank for jobs that matched her experience. She was given additional job leads and shown how to search other job search websites such as Indeed.com. She was assisted in the use of Microsoft WORD and WinWay Resume to type cover letters as well as assistance using the customer fax machine to fax resumes to employers.
She applied to and was hired by Advanced Inventory Solutions as an inventory auditor. Steven Sosko, her supervisor, says that Carrie is dedicated, on time and always there. She is a great worker and has been good for the company. He appreciated Michigan Works! for referring her to them. He appreciates Michigan Works! for another reason too. Michigan Works! assisted him in getting his job with Advanced Inventory Solutions.
Tim Spohn
Tim Spohn had previously used the Michigan Works! office in Greenville for job searching. After he was laid off again, he came to the Montcalm County Michigan Works! Service Center to use the job seeker resources available. He used the computers, printed off job postings, review the job posting books, fax information to prospective employers, use the phone and copy machine. Staff were continually watching for job leads for him as he wanted to get back to driving a truck. Those leads were communicated to him and other assistance was provided when necessary.
Tim had worked for Allied Waste in the past so when he saw the posting for a driver position he immediately applied for the job. He is now working 10 hours a day driving for them in Newaygo, Greenville, and Rockford and very happy to be back with the company.
He wants to thank Michigan Works! staff for all the assistance and to let us know Michigan Works! has been very helpful to him. Without the use of this office, his job hunting would have been so much more difficult. He said, “Not everyone realizes that when you are unemployed you don’t always have access to the internet and other key job search tools.”
LINK to September 2011 stories of SUCCESS!!!!