Hector first stopped in the Job Center of Lake County in October 2021, after a friend told him the Job Center might be able to help him find a job. At the time, Hector says that he was “bouncing around from warehouse to warehouse” after spending seven years in jail.
Isabelle is a young adult who entered the McHenry County Workforce Network Youth Program in December of 2022. Prior to entering the program, Isabelle had been working as an Activities Assistant at a nursing home. She enjoyed the helping nature of the work and interacting with the residents and wanted to find a career where she could utilize these strengths.
Kierson worked at Stellantis/FCA USA for almost 10 years when the plant shut down. He attended a Rapid Response workshop and came to The Workforce Connection for assistance. He enrolled in the Trade program and was both excited and a bit apprehensive about attending school again.
Erika came to BEST in December of 2019. She was interested in the Certified Medical Assistant Program. Erika had worked for a non-profit previously that helped individuals who were diagnosed with epilepsy. Erika, having epilepsy herself, was looking for a way to stay in the medical realm because her true passion was working with these individuals.
Alex’s journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Despite facing setbacks like limited job prospects, he sought out opportunities for growth. Starting as a Merchandising Associate at Costco, he supplemented his income with part-time work at Lowe’s to support his household, demonstrating his commitment to his family’s financial stability.