Elizabeth
Elizabeth contacted the Jersey/Calhoun Employment and Training office in Jerseyville, Illinois in April 17 2020. She was employed as a CNA at Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center earning $13.00 per hour. In this position, Elizabeth was not able to fully support her family. She want to obtain her License Practical Nursing to increase her employment opportunities and income.
Elizabeth decided to make her career advancement during the initial phase of COVID-19 and the WIOA office building were closed. I was able to communicate and provide assistance to Elizabeth over the telephone and the internet. Elizabeth gathered all of the necessary documentation, completed the assessments and we began to move forward. Elizabeth and I made arrangements outside of the office to meet and complete WIOA paperwork.
With a desire to seek better employment opportunities, Elizabeth applied to the Career Alternatives Learning Center in Alton (CALC), Illinois – License Practical Nursing (LPN) program. Elizabeth was granted admission into the LPN program, but she quickly realized that the cost of the program was too much for her and her family to afford. CALC referred Elizabeth to our office for tuition assistance.
At the time of Elizabeth’s WIOA enrollment, Elizabeth was married with a six year old daughter. Elizabeth’s daughter, Libby, was born with a pituitary gland problem and requires frequent medical injections. Also during this time, Elizabeth’s husband, Jacob, had been fighting a two year battle with cancer that often led to ongoing hospital visits. He had both hip bones replaced and got around in a wheel chair. He had a part time job as a dispatcher at the local sheriff’s office. Jacob was very supportive and encouraging for Elizabeth to complete the LPN program.
Elizabeth was able to begin her first term at CALC on May 28, 2020. She was able to maintain a 3.6 GPA throughout program. Due to COVID-19 her classes were held online and in-school when necessary. Elizabeth continued working midnights as a CNA while completing classes during the day.
Elizabeth graduated from CALC with her LPN certificate August 30, 2021 and secured her Illinois State Board December 2021. Unfortunately in February 2022, Elizabeth’s husband Jacob passed away.
Elizabeth continued her employment at Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, but with a different title and level of pay. On October 1, 2021, she began working as a LPN earning $24.50 per hour.
Elizabeth has always had a good work ethic and a positive attitude and worked very hard to work toward providing a stable environment and household for her and her daughter. Elizabeth faced a number of hardships and hurdles but did not let any of those things stop her from reaching her goal.
I AM SO PROUD OF ELIZABETH AND TO CALL HER MY FRIEND!!!