Sonya Danielson came into the Crookston WorkForce Center looking for assistance in getting settled in the Crookston area.
She was unemployed with no income and had applied for Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) benefits. Sonya was
looking for housing, employment and childcare and had very minimal resources available to her when she applied for the
Workforce Investment Act American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Youth Program. She said she wasn’t sure at the time
what directions her life was going, but she knew she needed to explore every option to support her two girls.
After applying for and qualifying for the ARRA Youth Program, Sonya received an assessment, mentoring, guidance, career
counseling, classroom training, job search assistance, support services for uniforms and transportation expenses.
Sony is now employed as a Certified Nursing Assistant working full-time at a local elderly care facility, earning over
$10.00, with benefits. Sonya has secured safe and stable housing for herself and her children and has found positive self
esteem.
When asked if she would recommend this program, Sonya replied “Most definitely! This program can help many people achieve
goals in their life. Some people just need a window of opportunity and this program is it. I can now walk with my head
held high, I never knew a little bit of help could get me so far. I want to give a great big thanks to the two ladies that
helped me the most: my loving and caring mother who is the one who talked me into going to the WorkForce Center and to
the greatest help of all, JaNan at the WorkForce Center for stepping up and believing in me, giving me confidence in myself
and for all her hard work. Thank you!”
My success in the field of education would not be complete without the help of the WIA program. While I attended
Bemidji State University to study music, I understood education was my main priority. Thanks to all the funding I received from this
wonderful program. Funding is always a concern for college students, but I was able to work limited hours which helped
me keep my grades up and my head in the game.
Now, I’m an Instrumental Music Teacher working in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota. I teach 5th grade band, 6th grade band,
Junior High Band, Senior High Band, Drum Line and Kindergarten classroom music – how much better could it get?! Thanks
to this program, I have landed my dream job! Thank You!
April was enrolled into the In-School Youth Program and was considering attending a local Community and Technical College
after graduation. She was referred to the Out-of School Youth Program for assistance.
April heard about the WIA Program through a presentation that was given at her school and was instantly interested in how
the program may make it possible for her to go to school. April graduated high school and enrolled at a local Community &
Technical College and began studies in Phlebotomy. She has since completed her program and is currently employed by an
area healthcare facility as a Phlebotomist earning an hourly wage of over $10.00/hr.
"It allowed me to go to school and get a job doing something I really enjoy. I probably wouldn't have went to college had
it not been for this program. It helped to keep me motivated to carry through with my schooling. I think the program is
great!"
Before the WIA Adult Program, Karla was an unemployed single monther of two young children. Now, Karla is a Registered
Cardiovascular Invasive Specialist at the Mayo Clinic, earning $25.00 per hour.
Karla came to the Crookston WorkForce Center looking for assistance in attending school for a career in Cardiovascular
Technology at Northland Community & Technical College in East Grand Forks, Minnesota.
She received assessment, career counseling, classroom training, job search, support services for uniforms and
transportation expenses from the Crookston WorkForce Center WIA Program.
I really want to thank you for making this possible. Your program has been such a huge part of my life and my
family's life. I seriously do not know how I would have made it financially if I would not have been able to go to school.
It took me less than two years and now I am making $50,000 my first year out of school and can support myself. I was
able to over double my annual salary. I wish everyone in my situation would do the same. Thanks again for everything
you have done. I hope your program continues to help people change their lives in a positive way like I have. Who would
have thought that I would be working for the Mayo someday. Never in my wildest dreams. I had heard about this place all
my life, but never thought I would be part of it. Mayo is listed as one of the top 50 places to work in the US and also
ranked 2nd best hospital in the world for Cardiology. It is serioulsy a dream come true."
Melissa Tradewell - Melissa Tradewell always knew she wanted to be a nurse. She understood it would require hard work,
but she was determined. A friend referred her to the Crookston WorkForce Center and told her about the WIA Younger Youth
program . “When you are going to school full-time you don’t have too much time for anything else, such as work. This
program helped alleviate some financial stress during that time. It helped me achieve my goals and made it possible for me”,
said Melissa.
Currently Melissa is working at a local clinic in the cardiology department. She assists doctors, reads reports, takes
vital signs, distributes medications, answers phone calls, answers questions and is happy to begin her career as a nurse.
