Individual Achievement Award: 2023

Shaquita Blanks began a job as an Account Specialist with a large manufacturing company in early 2020, participated in training for three weeks, then was sent home to work remotely due to Covid. She worked from home for over a year before the company began laying off workers.

It is unfortunate, but not uncommon, for a teenager to make a bad decision that would cost them years of their freedom growing up. Nineteen-year-old Justin was sentenced to 16 years in prison for a decision that cost him the ability to grow up as a young adult. Years of being away from life outside had posed more barriers and adjustment than just getting a job. Unfamiliar with how the world worked, he was still determined to find his potential. He contacted the McHenry County Workforce when he was about to be released to get assistance with employment.

Alyssa is a true testimony to what the WIOA programs offer career seekers. Alyssa had been in the Elevate Youth program before and earned her High School Diploma, however, the timing wasn’t right and she wasn’t able to find a career that suited her needs. She came back to the program and was determined to do everything in her power to break through the barriers in her way.

Martin is a resident of Bureau County and came to the BEST program for assistance in August of 2020. Before moving to Illinois in 2018, Martin had lived 2-3 years in Florida, where he suffered with constant stomach pain. Martin’s struggle with stomach issues caused him to miss many days of school, and he found it difficult to catch up on his studies.

Sporadically employed, 24-year-old, Christopher Moushon, was living in the Galesburg area with no definite career path. He was referred to Business and Career Services (BCS) by the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry in October 2022. In addition, Christopher faced other barriers preventing him from advancing onto a successful career path.

As a recipient of WIOA training assistance, Andrew describes his experience in his own words. “I received WIOA funding through the help of workNet DuPage and Mark Dennison. With the guidance from Mark, I was able to use the funding to attend Symbol Training Institute in Addison, Illinois. At Symbol I received training and knowledge of CNC manufacturing and graduated in January of 2023. I earned 3 certifications from NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills), as well as earning the highest grades in my class and voted best classmate by my peers and instructors,” Andrew says.

Rosalyn (Rosie) enrolled in the Maine Township District 207 JumpStart Youth Program when she was a 16-year-old sophomore at Maine East High School. Rosie was found to be basic skills deficient and received Special Education services due to a disclosed disability.

Chris started the process of obtaining a career scholarship after he was laid off from Gallup. He was a Business Development Consultant/Business Development Consultant. As a Senior Education/Business Development Consultant, he propelled Gallup’s education consulting services and product sales, including Clifton Strengths for Students and workplace solutions.

Elena was referred to Livingston Workforce Services after enrolling at Heartland Community College. A single mom living in public housing, she had recently moved to the area from Florida, and was confident registered nursing was for her. She had done LPN work while living in Florida, but Illinois licensure requirements were different, so she knew she needed to further her training in order to gain self-sufficiency.

Career Planner Teresa Andresen, from the Rock Island, Illinois, American Job Center, reports on her customer. “Christopher has been quite an inspiration from the very beginning. He is a very kind and respectful person, and very focused on his goal of receiving his diploma as a Heating & Air Conditioning Technician.

Ebony enrolled in the WIOA Youth program in 2019. She was a single mother, taking care of her father and lacked reliable transportation. She knew she wanted to work in the medical field but wasn’t sure in what capacity. She didn’t have an extensive employment history, but knew she needed to find something to support her and her daughter.

In January 2022, Adrienne was enrolled as an Adult to receive WIOA training services at Career Link. At the time, she was a single mother of three, working well under the self-sufficiency wage for a family of four. She was also receiving SNAP benefits and CCRN assistance.

Coming into the program, Sean was experiencing some challenges and needed assistance. He was on unemployment after being laid off and was struggling financially. Sean wanted to obtain his CDL so he would be able to have full-time employment year-round.

Michelle was a single mother of 3 when she faced unemployment after being laid off from her position as a grain operator. She came to Vermilion County Works (VCW) with an employment goal already in mind and her education in progress. She was determined to become a Radiologic Technologist and was finishing her prerequisites at Danville Area Community College (DACC) when she was laid off.

Sylvia describes her experience receiving WIOA services in her own words. “Workforce has been such a blessing to me. The whole program itself took a lot of stress off of me so I could focus on my studies while attending Capital Area School of Practical Nursing. CASPN was not easy at all. It takes a lot of planning, dedication and perseverance to be able to finish.

Braiden first heard about WIOA funding assistance while attending welding training at Midwest Technical Institute in Springfield, Illinois. MTI staff had referred him based on eligibility for funding assistance. Braiden decided to attend Midwest Technical Institute after getting laid off in 2021, and he needed new skills to help find employment.

When Matthew first heard about WIOA it was through the unfortunate closure of his employer, Schutt Manufacturing/Certor Sports, located in Litchfield, Illinois. Matthew had been an employee of Schutt for 21 years, and although the plant closure had been talked about for 2 years prior to the actual closing, it did not become a reality for Matthew and the other Schutt employees until they received their 60 day notice in September 2022.

Erika first came to learn about the CEFS/WIOA program through Lake Land College. She needed to secure full-time employment that would have great wages and benefits to support her family. Erika had a dream about wanting to become an RN.

Scarlett joined the St. Clair County WIOA Youth Program in hopes of getting a second chance at her education. She struggled with focusing and staying on task throughout much of her academic career. Having no way to manage her ADHD symptoms, she dropped out by the time she reached 11th grade.

Intake Coordinator Jo Dene Kern reports on her customer. “Elle’s educational journey to become a Registered Nurse began when she visited Man-Tra-Con for training assistance in September 2017. At the time, she was 23 years old, unemployed, a single mom to a 3-year-old son, and 100 miles away from family. With WIOA training assistance, she enrolled in the spring 2018 semester at John A. Logan College (JALC) to earn pre-requisite credits toward the Nursing program,” Jo Dene explains.

Julie has been an exemplary participant in the WADI WIOA Program. She has shown a dedication to succeeding and is an example to others that obstacles can be overcome to achieve success. Julie has taken on the role of providing for her family as her son and husband are both disabled. She currently works two jobs as well as having just completed her Pharmacy Technician Program.