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Success stories shared from people working to get a job
By JEFF M. HARDISON
jhardison@lakecityreporter.com
Overcoming unemployment is sometimes difficult, and in today’s lackluster economy the stress for finding work is stronger than in recently years past.
There are a number of local success stories, nonetheless,
as individuals work toward improving their stations in life.
Takella Thompson, and Teressa and Temika Smith are a few examples of women who are winning the battle against being unemployed.
Thompson came to Lake City from Tampa in April, she said, with her 1-year-old daughter. She found help at the Florida Crown Workforce Board, located at 1389 U.S. Highway 90 West.
“The first thing they helped me with,” Thompson said, “was getting a place to reside. They assisted with paying a deposit on rent, electric and water.”
Thompson was qualified for a Certified Nursing Assistant license, she said, and the staff at the One-Stop helped her obtain that license. Thompson wanted to attend classes at Suwannee-Hamilton Technical Center in Live Oak to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, she said.
“They assisted me with my financial responsibilities for this program,” she said.
The 28-year-old woman said she anticipates graduating with her LPN license in July. Between now and then, she is a full-time student who goes to classes in Live Oak from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Florida Crown Workforce helps her pay for the gasoline to go to and from Lake City and Live Oak so that she can obtain that nursing license.
After she graduates, Thompson said her primary objective is to find work as an LPN. She is very happy with help she has found from the state agency.
“They are wonderful,” she said. “They are like an extended family. The helped me get my life together very graciously. They have extensive resources. They offer so much help for someone who is trying to help themselves.”
Another couple of stories come from sisters who found help at the same office.
Like Thompson, Teressa Smith, 25, of Lake City has a 1-year-old child. She became unemployed in mid-March after she became ill and was fired by Trinity Services, she said.
She did not qualify to receive unemployment compensation, Smith said.
After losing her job, she went to the Florida Crown Workforce Office in Lake City to find new employment. She took the path given to her by a career counselor.
“I got involved in Job Club classes,” Smith said.
She spoke with Career Manager Doris Hall and learned how to increase her job skills. Smith set goals.
Seven months later, Smith has met her goals and she is continuing on a track for future success in her chosen field -- nursing.
“I increased my test scores so that I could get to go to CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) classes,” she said.
Smith was admitted to the CNA classes, which she completed. She received her CNA license on Oct. 29. The next thing on her list is to become employed as a CNA, and then to earn her phlebotomist license, so that she can take blood samples.
“We’ll pay the $200 for the phlebotomy classes,” Hall said of her client. “Step two is to find her own housing for her and her baby. She’s on the waiting list with Columbia County Housing and when her name comes up, she will have an apartment.”
In the meantime, Smith continues living with her sister Temika Smith, at one of their parents’ houses.
Hall said she is proud of Temika’s progress as well. She earned her CNA, obtained her phlebotomist license and worked in that field. Now the 23-year-old is continuing in the medical field, where she is transporting patients.
Florida Crown Workforce strives to help people obtain employment and to retain their jobs.
There are a number of local success stories, nonetheless,
as individuals work toward improving their stations in life.
Takella Thompson, and Teressa and Temika Smith are a few examples of women who are winning the battle against being unemployed.
Thompson came to Lake City from Tampa in April, she said, with her 1-year-old daughter. She found help at the Florida Crown Workforce Board, located at 1389 U.S. Highway 90 West.
“The first thing they helped me with,” Thompson said, “was getting a place to reside. They assisted with paying a deposit on rent, electric and water.”
Thompson was qualified for a Certified Nursing Assistant license, she said, and the staff at the One-Stop helped her obtain that license. Thompson wanted to attend classes at Suwannee-Hamilton Technical Center in Live Oak to become a Licensed Practical Nurse, she said.
“They assisted me with my financial responsibilities for this program,” she said.
The 28-year-old woman said she anticipates graduating with her LPN license in July. Between now and then, she is a full-time student who goes to classes in Live Oak from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.
Florida Crown Workforce helps her pay for the gasoline to go to and from Lake City and Live Oak so that she can obtain that nursing license.
After she graduates, Thompson said her primary objective is to find work as an LPN. She is very happy with help she has found from the state agency.
“They are wonderful,” she said. “They are like an extended family. The helped me get my life together very graciously. They have extensive resources. They offer so much help for someone who is trying to help themselves.”
Another couple of stories come from sisters who found help at the same office.
Like Thompson, Teressa Smith, 25, of Lake City has a 1-year-old child. She became unemployed in mid-March after she became ill and was fired by Trinity Services, she said.
She did not qualify to receive unemployment compensation, Smith said.
After losing her job, she went to the Florida Crown Workforce Office in Lake City to find new employment. She took the path given to her by a career counselor.
“I got involved in Job Club classes,” Smith said.
She spoke with Career Manager Doris Hall and learned how to increase her job skills. Smith set goals.
Seven months later, Smith has met her goals and she is continuing on a track for future success in her chosen field -- nursing.
“I increased my test scores so that I could get to go to CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) classes,” she said.
Smith was admitted to the CNA classes, which she completed. She received her CNA license on Oct. 29. The next thing on her list is to become employed as a CNA, and then to earn her phlebotomist license, so that she can take blood samples.
“We’ll pay the $200 for the phlebotomy classes,” Hall said of her client. “Step two is to find her own housing for her and her baby. She’s on the waiting list with Columbia County Housing and when her name comes up, she will have an apartment.”
In the meantime, Smith continues living with her sister Temika Smith, at one of their parents’ houses.
Hall said she is proud of Temika’s progress as well. She earned her CNA, obtained her phlebotomist license and worked in that field. Now the 23-year-old is continuing in the medical field, where she is transporting patients.
Florida Crown Workforce strives to help people obtain employment and to retain their jobs.
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My Story wrote on Nov 16, 2008 6:59 AM: