Erika
Career Planner Charlene Nelson reports on her customer. “Erika first came to learn about the CEFS/WIOA program through Lake Land College. She was a single mother of a little boy and they were receiving SNAP benefits. 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. She was working at Sarah Bush as a Certified Medical Assistant, but was only able to work part time due to her class schedule,” Charlene explains.
“Erika was determined eligible and received financial assistance with tuition, fees, and books. She also received assistance with transportation and supplies such as uniforms, testing fees, and licensure fees. Since Erika was able to receive these services, she was able to continue working part-time hours, have more time for studying and to spend with her son, and not have to worry as much about her financial situation,” Charlene adds.
“Before she was in the WIOA program, Erika would always try and pick up extra shifts just to make ends meet which led to a lack of time for her family. Since graduating from the Lake Land College/Associate Degree in Nursing program, Erika continues to work at Sarah Bush in the Emergency Department, but now she works full-time as a registered nurse. She is earning more than double her previous wage and she absolutely loves everything about her job,” Charlene says.
“Erika continued her education and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Southern Illinois University – Edwardsville in May 2023. She’s not stopping there as she’s striving to begin the doctorate program in nursing within the next 6 months,” Charlene adds.
“Erika was an ideal customer not only because she was a great student, but she also turned in her paperwork or anything else that was needed from her and it was completed correctly and submitted promptly. She was always very personable and appreciative of the services she was receiving,” Charlene reports.
Erika was thankful for the assistance she received and says, “To me, the CEFS/WIOA program is an amazing program and it helps navigate those individuals that are wanting to better their lives for their families. CEFS/WIOA helped me in so many different aspects including financially. I was able to reach for the stars and now I’m able to do what I feel like I do best and that is taking care of my patients. I want to personally thank each and every person at CEFS/WIOA who made this dream possible for my son and I.”