After obtaining his GED, Jim dropped out of high-school to get a job and has worked many different jobs since then. He always seemed to live paycheck to paycheck. At age 25, Jim was married with a one year old son and was unable to find full-time permanent employment. After a lengthy period of job searching Jim decided to apply for the State Dislocated Worker program. He also expressed interest in knowing his aptitudes and job-related interests to do better with his job retention issues. He completed his application and requested to be considered for the State Dislocated Worker Program, open to either on-the-job training (OJT) or enrolling in classroom training. He was enrolled into the State Dislocated Worker program.

In February 2008 Jim began the process of enrolling into school to earn a diploma in the Welding Program. Jim enrolled at Moorhead State Community and Technical College, taking a “Foundations in Math” course. He was ready for admission to Northland Community and Technical College, Thief River Falls, for the Fall Semester Welding classes. Jim constantly received excellent grades and truly applied himself to graduating. By May of 2009 Jim had obtained his occupational skills certificate in welding from Northland Community and Technical College. He immediately began job searching. After little time, Jim found full-time permanent employment with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, with a beginning wage of $11.00 and an excellent benefit package. Jim stated that “he figured he would be doing manual labor jobs and working paycheck to paycheck forever, but he is no longer a high school dropout and is officially a college graduate!” He also stated that “he has achieved a great deal of self-confidence and personal satisfaction and now has a career, not just a job.” “Now my son and any future children can be proud of me. Although I had a rocky road along the way, thanks to the support of others, and my own determination, I have achieved something to be truly proud of!”

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.