Matthew
When Matthew was referred to the Illinois workNet Center, he was seeking financial assistance for the Respiratory Care program at Lincoln Land Community College. In his second semester of the training program, he had learned that his job as a mail courier at St. John’s was being terminated and he had a baby on the way. He realized that he was at a major turning point in his life. If he tried to find another job, they would most likely not be able to work around his class schedule and he may never be able to complete the training. In addition, the job he would possibly secure would not be rewarding, and his family would continue to live paycheck to paycheck and get further in to debt.
Matthew chose the medical field because he had lived with his grandparents and had taken care of his grandfather when he was diagnosed with lymphoma and was undergoing treatments. Matthew had taken the mail courier position at St. John’s in order to become familiar with the hospital/health care setting. Sadly, they could not accommodate his class schedule and were planning to eliminate his position.
When he came in to the American Job Center to inquire about the WIOA funding, a WIOA career planner quickly helped him gather the required documentation, complete the required registrations and got him tested and his file moved forward. Then, Matthew states, “Once I linked up with Alicia and WIOA, it really did change my life and solidify the path towards a dream of becoming a college graduate, and building a successful career and life for myself and my family. Help with tuition costs, driving expenses, resume building, and just overall support from Alicia throughout the 2 years in my program made all the difference for my family and I, and the reason I am where I am today.” Matthew graduated from the Respiratory Care program in May 2019, and is currently employed at St. John’s. He also added, “I’m very thankful for the friendly faces at the front desk, those behind closed doors, and the chance to make such a rewarding career and life change.”