"I became a single parent with three children and no education. I was employed at a local car accessory distribution center when I became unemployed due to low sales. I had no idea what to do when I visited the ESC office in my area to look for a job. Almost every job required a HS diploma which I did not have."
"I was given the opportunity to attend Cleveland Community College to finish the six credit hours I needed to complete my HS diploma. I was also given the opportunity to work in a work experience position through the WIA program which was then called JTPA. Because of this program I was able to go to school and work for a 40 hour per week paycheck. I then went on to Cleveland CC to obtain as AS degree in Office Administration continuing to work at the local Employment Security Commission. Then, I was hired on part-time at the ESC."
"Later I was hired by Isothermal Planning and Development Commission as a program assistant for WIA. Fourteen years later I am still employed at IPDC as a WIA Case Manager."
Tammy Phillips