Bernadette
Bernadette, a single mother from Uganda with four children, was completing her final semester at college when she applied to Workforce Network for training assistance. Bernadette earned a place on the Deans List when she graduated with an Associate degree in Nursing from McHenry County College. She began working as a Registered Nurse at a hospital in Hoffman Estates, but wanted to continue her education to advance in her career. With WIOA training assistance, Bernadette was able to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Northern Illinois University (NIU) — all while working full-time and raising four children!
Bernadette was approved to purchase a home through Habitat for Humanity, a program that makes home purchase affordable for income-eligible families. Adding to her work as an RN, school, and parenting duties, Bernadette spent hundreds of required hours helping to “build” her Habitat for Humanity home. When her family moved into their four-bedroom home, she was also working a full-time, 40-hour per week schedule in her nursing position, plus maintaining a 3.737 GPA in her classes at NIU.
Bernadette completed her training with an internship experience at McHenry County Health Department. She maintained high academic standards throughout her program, graduating with Honors, and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Drawing on a pool of resources in her local community, this single mother has built a new life for herself and her family in McHenry County. She hopes, one day, to further her career by pursuing a Master’s degree in Nursing.