Connecting people, work and training.
Workforce Connections, Inc. prepares the workforce of western Wisconsin to better serve and meet the needs of area businesses.
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Self-Confidence through Leadership
Ryan had a difficult upbringing. He grew up with two alcoholic parents who divorced when he was age 3. He reported at one time that he hadn't been "clean" for more than a month since he was in 9th grade in high school. His mother had him arrested twice while he was 17 years of age. When Ryan came into the Building Opportunities (BO) program, he was already on his own financially, but was struggling without a parental support system.
Needless to say, Ryan had anger and other issues to work through during the program. Ryan's anger was evident when he talked about his childhood. His father was absent, and his mother had AODA issues of her own. She was unable to keep a job in order to support the two of them. With the support of our BO staff, Ryan began to demonstrate a real desire to deal with his anger and AODA issues.
Ryan gained self-confidence through leadership, work readiness and construction training. He was hired at a lead Security Manufacturer in La Crosse as a Laborer Cutter, and recently received a performance raise increase to $10.50 an hour. Ryan was recognized by his supervisor for recommending a solid job applicant (and fellow BO participant - see the adjacent success story), and was praised for taking on the task to train this new employee, without being asked.
Stability Gained
Ricky worked hard to earn his place in our Building Opportunities program. He was homeless at the time of his application and had been dealing with an adult offense on his record. Ricky had a difficult childhood, dealing with ADD/ADHD, which was diagnosed in third grade, and had been placed in special education classes. He also had AODA issues and had been "kicked out" by his parents' home right after he turned age 18.
The Building Opportunities program provided Ricky with the stability he needed to begin to straighten his life out. The leadership, construction and work readiness training helped him learn that he could be successful in the workforce and in his life as he started dealing with his AODA issues. Ricky started a job at a Lead Security Manufacturer in La Crosse and is working 40 hours a week where he is earning $10.25 an hour.
Rough Life
To put it plainly, John Cox has had a rough life. During his adolescent years, he experienced bipolar disorder which plagued him into adulthood. John had alcohol and drug dependency issues, and maintaining a job was not easy for him.
After many attempts at different forms of employment - quitting most and being terminated from the others-John realized that recovery from his AODA tendencies and addressing his mental health issues needed to be his priority if he was ever going to find success.
John wants to help people like himself, individuals struggling with AODA issues and in need of someone who understands the daily challenges.
With the help from Workforce Connections, Inc.’s (WCI) Connections to Independence program and the support of his WCI employment coordinator, Ellen Clason, John is well on his way to achieving his goal.
Ellen has been working with John since January of 2010. During this time, John has taken an active interest in his personal and professional development. John was a job coach and a peer mentor, and he is currently working towards his bachelor’s degree in addiction counseling at Viterbo University and Western Technical College.
Enough Running
Running had become a way of life for Amy Turner. The mother of two spent most of her adult life running from addictions, mental health issues and domestic violence. But in September 2010 she decided she had enough of the running, wanted to stabilize her life and become increasingly self sufficient. That’s when she came to Workforce Connections, Inc. and connected with employment coordinator Lisa Burnham. Turner came to Burnham with gaps in her employment history and a track of frequent relocations.
Turner started her climb towards employment with a paid placement through the Wisconsin Works program. She spent nearly a year in paid placement and while her old tendencies to run sometimes came out, Burnham said Turner stuck with it.
Eventually Turner was placed to work at River Country Fitness, LLC in Black River Falls as a gym attendant. It was perfect fit for Turner, who has long been interested in body building and self-defense. Three months into her placement, Turner was hired. “She has a love for it. She has plans to offer self-defense classes to women,” Burnham said. “The opportunities of what Amy can and will do in this field are endless.”
Flexibility and Family
Willie M., seen below with his newly purchased 2001 Pontiac Grand Am, applied for transportation assistance through Workforce Connections, Inc.’s ‘Transportation Connections’ program on August 31, 2010. Willie is employed by Best Buy and needs the flexibility to travel as a direct part of his employment. Willie also has family and school obligations that require personal transportation for he and his two children.
Willie met program requirements and completed his vehicle purchase on October 15, 2010 at Clason’s Pontiac Buick in LaCrosse, WI.
As you can see from the photo Willie is very pleased with the vehicle that is roomy enough for his family and is economical to afford.
Overcame Barrier
John Andrews’ choices in his past were making it difficult for him to find a job. Andrews came to Workforce Connections, Inc. (WCI) unemployed and with an adult conviction record.
Heather Bettmann, employment coordinator with WCI, began helping Andrews with searching for a job, developing his resume and perfecting his interviewing skills.
But it was a call Bettmann received from Nelson Hardwoods in Prairie du Chien looking for job candidate referrals that really turned the tides for Andrews. “I discussed John’s qualifications and the employer agreed to meet with him,” Bettmann said. “John went on an interview and was offered the position that day.”
Nelson Harwoods is aware of Andrews’ history, but Bettmann said he was able to overcome that past. “John was very honest and forthcoming about his conviction history,” she said. “That, with his demeanor and how well he interviewed was how he got the job.” Andrews was very grateful for the help WCI provided.
“He mentioned that without our help, he wasn’t sure if he could overcome his barrier,” Bettmann said. “He had tried everything to obtain employment but never was successful.”
WCI has continued to aid Andrews since he began working by providing him with work boots and clothing for his outdoor work.
Growing-up Quickly
For 18 year old, Brandon Young life has presented many challenges to overcome. Brandon entered into Couleecap, Inc.’s Youth Employment and Training (YET) program in Monroe County in 2009. At the time, Brandon and his family were homeless and he was forced to grow up quickly.
In May of 2010 Brandon graduated from Sparta High School. From that point on Brandon decided it was time to focus on finding a full-time job and explore the idea of college.
Brandon had a difficult time landing an interview anywhere on his own due to his lack of job experience. After talking to any employment agency, Brandon was given an interview with Northern Engraving. Brandon admittedly nervous and concerned about what to say participated in mock interviews with his YET Coordinator, Matt Gaworski.
Brandon’s hard work and determination paid off, as of December 2010 Brandon has been employed full-time with Northern Engraving. Now his main struggle is getting up for his early shift.
Brandson has been saving money so his family can move out of temporary housing soon. Brandon has also been meetings with guidance counselors at Western Technical College.
Hardwork and a Helping Hand
Andrea Nicholas had goals for her life: obtain employment, find reliable daycare for her young daughter, earn her GED and become and independent, good mom. She summed her goal up by saying she wanted to accomplish a good lifestyle, which would also include staying up to date with bills by paying them on time.
Nicholas had a ways to go to reach her goal. When she first visited Workforce Connections, Inc. (WCI) Nicholas was unemployed, had less than a high school education did not have a driver’s license and lacked work experience. She was also on probation from an earlier theft conviction and struggled with an anxiety disorder, dyslexia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Nicholas and Lisa Burnham, employment coordinator with WCI, met in March 2011 and came up with an employment plan that also included Nicholas’s educational and other personal goals. 
Burnham and WCI also provided Nicholas with support ranging from transportation assistance to weekly support meetings to interviewing and resume building.
Since establishing her employment plan, Nicholas has put forth hard work and determination. And with the help of WCI staff and services, has reached several of her goals. She was hired nearly full time with Courtesy Corporation in July 2011, was able to study for and pass her driver’s license test and find childcare. She also continues to work towards earning her GED by attending Goal Oriented Adult Learning classes at Western Technical College in Black River Falls.
“I am sincerely amazed with Andrea thus far and I believe she will continue to work towards her goals,” Burnham said. “She was, and is, a motivated individual who honestly surprised me with her efforts to make it.”
Nicholas remains in follow-up services with Workforce Connections, Inc. and hopes to pass the final two GED tests by the end of 2011.
AT WORK IN OUR
COMMUNITY
YES AMERICORPS
Yes Americorps Members make an 11 month commitment to leave a footprint on the community by promoting literacy, assisting in public safety, expanding volunteerism, reducing hunger and “Getting Things Done.” Members serve in local schools, at food pantries and community gardens and a variety of community based organizations.
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Due to funding cuts and a need to restructure, there will be no 2012-13 YES AmeriCorps program year. Please check back to this site in spring 2013 for information on the 2013-14 program year.
For more information on AmeriCorps Opportunities or your AmeriCorps Education Award.
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