WIA Works for Illinois

Ruth  Stagner,  62069
R. Anne Stagner, Mt. Olive, IL

I had been stuck in working a variety of dead-end jobs, offering no future or benefits. I needed a change and with a visit to the Job Center, an Illinois workNet Center in Carlinville, IL, that change happened. I filled out an application for the WIA program, wanting to attend school. Within a year, I was accepted and attended Lincoln Land Community College. WIA provided paid tuition, books and a travel allowance. Without the travel allowance in particular, I would have never been able to afford to travel to LLCC in Springfield for classes.

I graduated in May 2009 with an Associates degree in Accounting. Within six months of graduating, I obtained a great job offering benefits and a future. I am currently working full-time and attending University of Illinois at Springfield working on my Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Business Administration. Without the WIA program, these changes would not have been possible.

Isaac  Velasquez,  60152
After having a few jobs already on my own, going through program at the McHenry County Workforce Center, an Illinois workNet Center, has enhanced my learning abilities and the confidence in myself to go and seek what I want to do for my career. I've learned so much in this program, from all the classes, summer projects, working in groups, how to manage money for when I start out on my own, and so many other things. The way the case workers explain things to me have always been easy to understand and they have always been helpful by getting the right information and being organized. I know when I do find a job, I will be ready.

Sylvester  LeBlanc,  62703
In Chicago, if you’re in a rough neighborhood like the one I grew up in, you either join them or they’re going to jump you every day. They kind of force you into it. I went to prison three times. I kind of burned my bridges at home. My mom was like, "I don’t want you to parole here because you keep doing the same stuff." Being involved in gangs heavily influenced my thinking, my everyday actions. So I wanted to get away and moved to Springfield for a second chance. My case manager Diane believed in me every step of the way. Thanks to all the services provided through WIA, her encouragement and my determination, I am now an employed Auto Body Technician who can support my family and realize all of my dreams for my 2-year-old.

Alex  Gray/Butkus,  60014
Since I was new to the job market and never had a job, I entered the McHenry County Workforce Center, an Illinois workNet Center, with the goal of gaining work skills. I was committed to the program, consistent, dedicated, and an active participant in Work Readiness classes. Initially, I had a wide variety of interests and was unfocused in my career goals. I developed focused short- and long-term goals during my time in the program, and to narrow my areas of interest, I completed several career exploration activities. I used the skills I learned in classes to apply for a job outside the program in April 2008 and was hired at a movie theatre. I am still employed there, and currently continuing my education in a post secondary program.

Samantha  Davison,  61520
As a freshman at Graham Hospital School of Nursing, I first learned about the Summer Youth Employment Program through Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center. Through the program, I signed on with Illinois workNet to learn the basic skills needed to further my education and attained a part-time job while attending school full-time. After the summer program ended, Career Link enrolled me in the Nursing Program and provided me with financial assistance for the two remaining years at Graham Hospital. Without Career Link assistance I would not be achieving my goals.

David  Taylor,  61554
Without this funding I could never afford nursing school. Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, means getting to achieve my dream of being a nurse and helping others. It also means a support system. I know they are there to help me graduate, pass the NCLEX and find a job.

Dusty  King,  62249
I never wanted to follow in my father's footsteps to be a truck driver. I knew what sacrifices he had made. But my wife and I both lost our jobs within the same year and we were facing foreclosure. So we visited the Madison County Employment and Training Department, an Illinois workNet Center. They guided me through pre-tests and education to get me ready for the truck driving program at Rend Lake Community College. I now work at a refinery driving workers to their stations. I love my job and I love going to work every morning.

Brijesh  Kukreja,  60102

I am happy to say that the WIA programs really helped me achieve my goal of securing a full-time position. The PMP and Quality Assurance training I received advanced my skill set. I got access to as well as support from WIA personnel which was a great help during a time of hardship. After about 8 months, I received a full-time job offer from Cognizant. They recognized my new skills which I am currently applying towards my job. I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to the McHenry County Workforce Network, an Illinois workNet Center.

Miki  Aberle,  61761
Twenty-year-old Michael filed for unemployment after the company he was working for downsized and left him jobless in early 2009. As part of his job search, he picked up an application for the Summer Youth Work Program. 

Michael learned at an early age what it was like to fend for himself financially and sometimes without the support of an ideal family structure. I first met Michael when he was a 16-year-old student of mine. He displayed a positive and helpful attitude in class along with the determination to do what was right; he always made me laugh. At the time, his living situation seemed to be ever changing, and at one point, he was living with an older brother and basically raising himself. Michael remained resilient, working nearly full time at McDonald’s while attending school. After moving yet another time, he transferred schools and eventually earned his high school diploma.

After high school, Michael held a series of jobs, all involving physical labor.I hadn’t had contact with him since the end of his junior year, and when I saw his application for the Summer Youth Program, I was excited to call him for an interview. I placed my former student at a local Public Works Department where he is currently working as an extended Summer Youth employee because of his outstanding efforts and performance. His supervisors couldn’t be more pleased with his work ethic and attitude, and as a result, he has obtained a permanent position with Public Works – a position that is not handed out to just anyone. I have no doubts that Michael will continue working successfully for years to come and am so proud of him!

Molly  Thomas,  61554
In August, 2008 I was left without work. Even worse, nobody was hiring. Soon I lost my car and almost lost my house. Being a single mother of two this was very rough. I learned about Brenda at Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, in Pekin through a friend. She helped me in developing a resume that thankfully landed me a temporary job. Then I learned of the summer youth program and I enrolled. I worked full-time as an assistant at the unemployment office. I have worked in offices before but never one like this. Here I learned computer skills, customer service, and many different procedures. This training has taught me knowledge and skills that I will need to obtain a better job. Thank you Career Link for all you do!

Sara  Benshoff,  62664
The youth program at Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, is a great success. If they did not have this program I would have struggled so much to pay for high school, my books, and my clothes for school. The program helped me and it will help someone else in my position if you keep it.

Shane  Nebel,  61532
The CARY program, an Illinois workNet Center, funded by the Workforce Investment Act at Midwest Central High School, helped me realize that I could make something of my life. I never imagined myself attending college because of my family's financial situation. When I was enrolled in the CARY program my junior year, thought: Great! Another class I don't need! But after the first few days, I realized that there were people who were willing to help me obtain an education and have a better life. As part of the CARY program, I determined what career I wanted to enter and what college I wanted to attend. My teacher, Mrs. Jeanne Sarff, helped me apply for college and fill out important scholarship applications. I was awarded three scholarships including  the "Step Up." This is a scholarship given to a student who completely changes his attitude towards school. I believe that I received this award because the CARY program helped see that I CAN be a success.

I will graduate from Illinois Central College in May with a 3.4 GPA.  Funding from the Workforce Investment Act has helped pay  for my tuition, books, and transportation. I have participated in Summer Work Experience that has helped me pay for my car and other living expenses. I have already been offered a job at the business where I am interning. Without the CARY program and all of the other assistance I have received through the Workforce Investment Act, I wouldn't be here today.

Brent  Waldschmidt,  61375
In December of 2001, LTV steel in Hennepin declared bankruptcy. Chapter 11 was filed shortly after 9/11 and 700 of the steelworkers had been given little notice. I happened to be one of the 700 who found supplemental jobs in the area to be sparse and with non-liveable wages. 

Luckily, I investigated a Workforce Investment Act (WIA) training opportunity to acquire new skills and a degree that employers in the area look for. I fell under the Peoria Workforce Network, an Illinois workNet Center, and Vernon Johnson's guidance. Vernon was very supportive and willing to work with me which made the process easier. Returning to school for an Electrical Engineering Tech degree was one of the hardest and uncertain things I have ever done. I feel grateful that Vernon and the Workforce Network was there to support me through the process. Completion of my degree was very challenging and I doubt if I would have made it without help from the WIA. I am now happily employed with an established career. In hindsight, I am very thankful for the WIA opportunity and assistance from Peoria Workforce Network....especially Vernon Johnson.

Thanks,
Brent W.

Jesse  Franco,  60645

I had been unemployed for 14 months and never dreamed that would happen. I’ve worked to keep current on the latest software. I kept searching for jobs online, but there are few jobs available.

I heard about the Illinois/Microsoft Elevate America program through Illinois workNet and used the vouchers to get training and Microsoft certification in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. I saw immediate results. I applied for a job as an administrative assistant, and when they called me they liked that I had computer skills and certification and, following the training, I found a job.

 

Derik  Flairty,  62633
Last summer was the first year I was enrolled in the WIA program and now because of it I have a solid job that I don't have to be worried about losing. It was hard for me to find a job until WIA helped me find one. Without it, me and my dad would have had to go through a lot tougher time. My father got laid off and we didn't have enough money to support the both of us. Especially with all the school activities I am involved in. Since I had the job over the summer I played it smart and saved as much money as I could. With the money I saved I payed half my phone bill and a little bit of my car insurance. The money didn't last long but what I had did help my dad.

He did get his job back but without the money that I made from the summer work program I might not have had a phone, car, school lunch money, and other things as well. There are other kids and adults that need this program more than me and are in worse positions than the one that I was in. Those are the hard working people that just want to survive in the world. Without the WIA they may not be able to get a job and many will be homeless and others will go hungry for days. These are the reasons that we need this program, so others can have a chance for a better life. Isn't this the land of opportunity? Without the WIA the people that deserve an opportunity will not get it.

Samantha  Bray,  62664
This past summer I had a great opportunity to work at the Mason City Pool here in my hometown. Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, graciously helped me find the job, which is something I desperately needed. Being a teen, finding a job without a way of transportation is a very challenging task. I was actually in walking distance of my job! Thanks to Career Link, I had a great experience. I was able to receive a check every two weeks and take my vacation with my family without being penalized by my employers. After working hard for one summer, I was offered the job back for the next summer. This summer job helped me to get on my own two feet and that is more than I could have imagined when I started the job. It was a very good experience and I hope that someone else can have the same experience I received.

Denee  Ivey,  62644
Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, has been a lifesaver for me. I am a single mom who decided to go back to school at the age of 42. I decided to go into nursing and without Career Link I would not have been able to afford the nursing assistant classes because I was only waitressing and working part time as an aide at our middle school. I am very grateful for the programs Career Link has available to everyone. It would be a wise choice to keep them around.

Miki  Aberle,  61761
Like many others displaced by Hurricane Katrina, the young woman that came to Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, felt the emotional pain the hurricane inflicted on many Americans. “We lost everything,” she said in regards to the hurricane’s aftermath. Quintina Turnipseed was a single parent who relocated to Illinois with her mother after being forced out of her Mississippi home by the disaster.

Once she settled in, she decided it was time to improve her life by pursuing a Pharmacy Technician Certificate at the local community college. While working at Walgreens as a Pharmacy Technician and raising her two children, she was struggling to make ends meet. She discussed her situation with a co-worker, who was enrolled as a nursing student with Career Link. The co-worker explained Career Link and how it positively impacted her life. The next day, the Quintina came into the office and applied for tuition assistance. She was then accepted into a Respiratory Therapy Program and granted funding.

Career Link helped her with tuition, childcare, mileage and exam fees while she attended college. She graduated in May 2009 and is employed at a local hospital as a Respiratory Therapist. Career Link’s help has not gone unnoticed by Quintina. “I just want to thank Career Link for all the support and effort they contributed to help me reach my goals and dreams; thanks for everything,” she wrote in a monthly status report regarding her experiences in the program. Truly, this woman’s story proves that perseverance and resilience leads to success when given the opportunity.

robert  oller,  62617
The WIA summer program really helped me out to make some money for school clothes. It's just me and my mom living in the same house. She works a minimum wage job, and because of this program, I was able to help her out with our bills.

Carrie  Pierson,  62644
I am almost 40 years old and I have been hearing impaired and wore a hearing aid all my life up until about 4 years ago when I lost all my hearing and got a cochlear implant. About 3 years ago, my life changed for the worst! Due to my hearing loss, my equilibriums are 10 times the normal size and crushed all my hearing bones, leaving me severely dizzy 24/7. It was miserable! I had been working as a Certified Nursing Assistant since 1992 until I became dizzy. Now I am better, but I have limits on what I can and cannot do. I take it one day at a time.  

I felt worthless, not being able to work. I could not afford to go to college to change my career.  Without Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, I would not have been able to go to school!  Now I am going to school full-time for medical billing and coding so I can work from home. With my new career in progress, I have adjusted my career around my life. I know that if I wake up dizzy, I won't have to worry about calling in to work and losing my job.

Carmen  Hamilton,  61704
On September 24, 2004 our client was laid off with 1,200 other workers from Mitsubishi Motors. She was a single mother with a 15-year-old daughter who suddenly found herself without a way to support herself. In the fall of 2004, she started down the path of realizing her dream by enrolling at Heartland Community College to complete her needed prerequisites. Paying tuition out of her savings, she continued to take courses until the summer of 2006, when she became officially enrolled in a Career Link, Illinois workNet Center, training program. In May of 2008 she graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Lab Science. One week after her graduation, she started at Morris Hospital in Morris, Illinois with a starting average wage with shift differential of $24 an hour. We are very proud of this lady and wish her the best!  We still receive updates from her to let us know how she is doing. 

Samantha  Osborn,  62682
The summer of my sophomore year I began Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center program. I started out working at a local Day Care Center because I didn't have many choices with not having a car. That year I really liked having my own money and being able to get the things I wanted. But things changed. My junior year, me and my mom had a falling out so I moved in with relatives. Other than sticking with the program the summer of my junior year, I didn't have much going for me. This time I put more thought into it. I had thought about becoming a nurse so I tried to get a job in the nursing home and it was a relief to find my way into that job as a utility aid which was far off from what I wanted to do. But this opened new doorways. I learned about a program called New Start and got my CNA license. The same nursing home kept me employed with the position as a CNA which lead me to my career path. It has lead me so far that I can now work without the program but I am writing this because I'm sure that there are and will be other kids out there that need the help I did.

Ricky  Ford,  61427
I was able to secure full time employment through the experience and skills I acquired in the Summer Youth Employment Program. The work readiness assessment on Illinois workNet helped me to understand my employers' expectations. With that understanding, I developed an important strategy for success on the job. As a result, I was offered a permanent position with the Putman Park District. The workplace skills that gave me the competitive edge included maintaining perfect attendance and using proper business communications. These were some of the topics I learned about through the Illinois workNet work readiness assessment. 

Patricia  Doornbosch,  60098
If it wasn't for the WIA program at McHenry County Workforce Center, an Illinois workNet Center, I would not have had the chance to learn web design software. The level of the training provided was great. I just finished my trainings last week, but I have already been able to send out my updated resume and I feel more confident about getting a job.

Timothy  Cigrang,  60013
Thanks to the WIA program I have found work in a new profession. The industry I was in for over 30 years was on the decline with limited future job growth. The job training provided through the WIA program landed me a job in a new field with endless opportunities. The staff at the McHenry County Workforce Center, an Illinois workNet Center in Woodstock, bent over backwards to help me through the process and supported me every step of the way. I appreciate the personal interest they have shown in me. Without their help I would still be unemployed.

Eileen  Rose,  62664
I thought going to school to become a nurse was just a dream but when I followed my dream and found the Career Link office, an Illinois workNet Center, in Havana, IL school all fell into place. I worked in a doctor's office for over fifteen years as office help and always wanted to be the "nurse" not just in the office. I did not think I was smart enough but with a little encouragement from Carol Kuchan I was accepted and completed the nursing program at Capital Area School of Practical Nursing.  I had a job within 2 weeks of graduation and doubled my wages from $20,000 to $40,000 a year as a LPN.  I greatly appreciate the help that Career Link provided and am currently in RN school. DREAM BIG

Christine  Pell,  62959
Shannon Manson came into the Marion Man-Tra-Con office, an Illinois workNet Center, in January 2010. Like so many others in Southern Illinois, he was finding it difficult to land a job. Shannon wished that someone would give him the opportunity to show them what a great worker he could be.

Shannon met with his Career Specialist, Stephanie McCluskey, every week and sometimes twice a week searching for local jobs. Shannon began realizing that he had great potential and that he should never give up, and he didn’t. Within one month of working with Mrs. McCluskey, Shannon was hired by a local production company. Shannon stated that in his interview, he used the interviewing tips he worked on during individual appointments. Shannon has a new sense of pride and a feeling of accomplishment that will help him grow as an individual. He has displayed outstanding and diligent job search skills and his dedication to finding a job is remarkable. Shannon will succeed in life because he doesn’t give up, he perseveres!

Cassandra  Vanover,  62664
I'm Cassie Vanover and my experience working with the summer program was really helpful. I worked at a daycare and I really enjoyed it. I chose to work at the daycare to see what it was like.  I plan on graduating from high school and continuing to work there. I worked in the toddler room, infant room, and in the preschool room. I had a lot of hands-on experiences helping to take care of the babies that were in the infant room. I think that summer jobs teach students responsibility. 

I chose a job that I would enjoy doing. I really like working with kids and I really hope that I can work with them again this summer. This job helped me get ready for what may happen in the future. I'm going to college to be a preschool teacher and it helped a lot working at the daycare. There are a lot of kids that could use to work in the summer that can't work during the school year. It helped me a lot and I'm sure it will help other students.   

jeremy  stark,  60089
When I first joined the McHenry County Workforce Center, an Illinois workNet Center, I was homeless and I did not have a job. I was not a good job interviewer and I did not have any appropriate interview clothes. During the weekly classes the other students and I were taught good tips for interviewing, resume writing, job searching, and much, much more. Thanks to the work ethics I was taught by the Youth Workforce Specialist, not long after joining, I obtained a job. Unlike my previous jobs, I was able to keep my job longer than a month or two. As a result, I am no longer homeless and I am excelling at work.

Kristin  Hughes,  61501
I am working on my nursing degree funded by the Adult Training Services Program with Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, in Mason County. I want to become self-sufficient and work in a field that I enjoy. Without the assistance from Career Link, I would not be able to achieve my occupational goals. I was able to build job skills this summer working through Career Link under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. I gained skills working with people. The skills I gained will help me be a better nurse. I believe everyone should have the opportunity to pursue their career goals and Career Link makes that happen.

Courtney  DeYoung,  61534
I am a student in the CARY program at Midwest Central High School in Manito funded by Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center. Before this program I never had a job and knew little about the workplace. Through our classes, I learned that I must respect my co-workers, work as a member of a team, and to do as my boss tells me. These were lessons that I put into practice during the summer youth employment program.

During the work experience, I got into the habit of living on a schedule: waking up early; getting to work on time; working long hours. I learned how to be responsible for my own actions. If a problem came up, I used the skills I learned in class to deal with it properly. The things I have learned through being in this program have helped me prepare for my transition into the “real world.” I can’t wait!

Catherine  Herzog,  61560
After graduating from college with a BA in English, I found few opportunities for challenging and fulfilling work, and even less for a stable full-time position. I applied for hundreds of jobs, and only interviewed with a few. Luckily, BEST, Inc., an Illinois workNet Center, helped me and my employer greatly by placing me with them!

I never expected to end up in a job like this, and would not have found this position without the help of WIA! I've been able to learn so much that I never expected, and continue to learn every day. I'm able to apply what I learned at school to my job here, and know that I am learning skills that will last my entire lifetime. I feel much more confident as an employee and as a person overall and look forward to taking these skills with me through my entire career!

I hope that other college grads can use WIA to pursue their dreams and learn as much about themselves as I did. I wouldn't have realized how much I love business and entrepeneurship if it hadn't been for WIA, and I am so glad I have had these experiences!

Kathryn  Cihlar,  61546
The Workforce Investment Act (WIA) has made a huge difference in the lives of at-risk teenagers in rural Mason County through the creation of the Career Link grant-funded CARY program (Careers for America's Rural Youth) at Midwest Central High School in Manito, IL. Each year, between 20 and 30 at-risk juniors and seniors are chosen to participate in this college- and career-prep program. Students who lag in reading or math skills, are behind on credits for graduation, face family and financial difficulties, and/or have problems with discipline or attendance at school are given a chance to turn their lives around by joining CARY and becoming part of a successful program with connections to a brighter future. 

With constructive nurturing, academic tutoring and realistic goal-setting, the students become active, enthusiastic participants in academic achievement, career and college exploration, community leadership and volunteer activities to better themselves, their families, their school and their communities. Career Link, an Illinois workNet Center, is able to provide valuable summer job experiences for CARY students, where they can apply the job skills they have learned in the classroom. Each year, between 8 and 10 CARY students are awarded with $500 scholarships to Illinois Central College. WIA is a crucial part of the success of CARY and Career Link. 

Karen  Carlson,  60173
I was out of the workforce 10 years raising my two daughters full-time. Then my husband got laid off from his job. The desire for me to someday obtain my nursing degree became a necessity for today. Because I was considered a "Displaced Homemaker," I qualified for all the costs associated with the training for my nursing license, including tuition, books, exam, testing and school fees. Soon I'll reach my two-year milestone of being a nurse and I would have never been able to accomplish my goals without the help of Workforce Investment Solutions.

Harold  Taylor,  60085
I was working at a high school in food service when I lost my job in December 2009. There was a change in policy and I could no longer work there because of a felony background. I started coming to the Job Center, an Illinois workNet Center every day to look for work. They told me about a 6-week program called the Repatriate project where I could learn Microsoft Office and I enrolled as soon as possible. While in training, I networked at the Job Center. Someone at the center told me that a newspaper office needed help one day moving. I helped them out and the editor hired me. I was hired as a customer service representative just two days after graduating from the Repatriate project.

Barbara  Brickner,  62002

The following is my client's WIA success story:

After graduation from Alton Senior High School, Zachary Peters enlisted in the Army. He received an honorable discharge and became a repair and maintenance technician working with industrial power machinery. He worked for a large manufacturing company until the company downsized. Zac then accepted a job with another company and worked there until he was laid off.

Through the local Veterans’ Administration office, he heard about the Workforce Investment program and came to the Madison County Employment and Training Office, an Illinois workNet Center in Alton. He researched various occupations and was approved for CDL training with a hazmat designation. Zac was eager to meet all the requirements of the program, and according to his instructor, frequently encouraged others in his class who were struggling.

Once he obtained his license, Zac contacted several trucking companies only to find that they wanted two years of driving experience. Frustrated but committed to his goal, Zac persevered in his search and now works for Roehl Transport. Zac says “I’m just like millions of others who thought they would work for one good company and then retire. It didn’t happen; it’s important to keep going and not give up. I am better prepared now for the future thanks to the WIA training I received.”