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Testimonials

“Towards Employment was a great support. They tell you to believe in yourself and not give up.”
Tracie Marsh
Networks 4 Success graduate
Employee, Evergreen Cooperative Laundry

“If you make up your mind to better yourself and get on the right path, this is the place to start!”

“Towards Employment has been more than our employment contractor – they are a partner in this whole initiative.”
Jim Anderson
President of Evergreen Cooperative Laundry
Program Coordinator for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center of Kent State University

“I showed up on time and followed the rules. I was computer illiterate – so this was awesome. Nowadays you need computer skills because most jobs are online.”

“Towards Employment set me up with transportation, tools, and steel-toed boots. And they still check up with my supervisor. I’m grateful…and want to show it by being reliable and doing a good job.”
Romell Stephens
Networks 4 Success graduate
Housing Rehab Worker, ASAP General Contractor

“I wanted to get back in the workforce and off county assistance. I’d rather earn my own check – and work for it.”
Kim Sudberry
Networks 2 Success graduate
Document Processer, IKON

“Prison isn’t just for hardened criminals. My biggest issue was horrible decision-making skills. Now I think through every single thing I do…”

“The biggest hurdles were the legal issues – child support and getting my driver’s license back. Towards Employment provided an attorney – without that, I made no progress on my own.”

“I see the ripple effect of my job…I did a lot of maturing, I got married, we have four kids. I work at the homeless shelter and tell those coming out of prison – it’s tough, but there are very few offenses you can’t bounce back from.”
David Blunt, Operations Supervisor
Networks 4 Success graduate
Lutheran Metropolitan Ministries

“Being part owner in the co-op, there’s great motivation to make the laundry expand. As the company grows – you grow. My kids are so excited for me – they rely on me to have a steady income. (Young adults living near University Circle) aren’t interested in $7 an hour when they can make $300 selling drugs. But if we show them more than life on the streets – and a decent living – this can make a difference.”
Keith Parkham
Maintenance Manager
Evergreen Cooperative Laundry

“I needed to work on talking to people – since I’d never been exposed to a job with the public – or even other employees. ‘Rhythm Rack’ threw me into situations where I had to interact with strangers and handle difficult situations. The workshop staff was good – they made us feel like they had a real position to offer – and gave great feedback afterwards.”
Jan Forro
“Rhythm Rack” graduate from GED program

“They were fantastic – they taught me interviewing techniques, resumes, did mock interviews and gave me job leads. I thought no one would hire me because I’m a felon – but they taught me how to deal with questions about my convictions – to be honest, but direct, to say it was a mistake and I’m ready to move forward. I went every day, just like it was a job. I learned computer skills, how to be organized, how to speak on the phone, even how to dress to look professional.”
Greg Whatley
Networks 4 Success graduate
Kia dealer employee

“I’d been from shelter to shelter – and in recovery. I had legal problems, too… the wreckage of my past. The people at TE went to court with me and I did community service. That kept me from losing everything I had. I needed encouragement – and the people at TE were there for me. Now the Clinic is advancing me – I’m starting Nursing Assistant training and then Clinical Tech training. It’s been a 180 degree turnaround from where I was. My child support issues are resolved and things are better with my daughters. I’ve been in my own apartment for two years, I just bought a new Trailblazer, and I have a credit union account, a 401k and savings bonds.”
Jesse Smith
Networks 4 Success graduate
Patient Care Service Associate at the Cleveland Clinic

“Your program has given me a better chance in life to be a winner and excel towards my goal of being successful and being an asset to this world. Thank you for always having the positive attitude that I needed to keep my head high and my feet straight on this narrow path in life.”

“You are what this world needs, a serious productive program that helps those who really want to be successful and somebody. Now, I’m stepping into a company with a great reputation and future that I know I will be at for a very long time. Without your help and without your caring hearts, I would not be where I am right now.”

"Growing up in group homes, I’d always been a loner and made my own rules. Towards Employment taught me how to follow someone else – not always try to “be the man.” They said “we embrace you, we want to push you to do your best.”

More than anything, we need positive affirmation. They set high expectations at the workshop and say“I believe you can do it.” Wow. This is the first place I’ve been where everyone is on the same page! They were willing to help me get a job, a place to live, straighten out my record, deal with child support, get a bank account – they were giving me avenues! Now I can come back and help others.
LeJesus Posey
Networks 4 Success graduate
Customer Service Professional

I don’t just sit around – I want to do positive things. People need a job with purpose. Towards Employment brings out your confidence. My daughter is my rock – and now she sees me get up and go to work and that motivates her, too. You don’t want a mother just sitting around. I’m not lazy.
Erica McIntosh
Laundry Services, Marriott Cleveland East

“Evergreen Cooperative Laundry has a competitive advantage. Many of our employees have made mistakes in the past – and regret it. They view this as a second chance and they cherish that.”
Jim Anderson
President of Evergreen Cooperative Laundry
Program Coordinator for the Ohio Employee Ownership Center of Kent State University

“The co-op is a career – and we can buy stock towards ownership. It feels great – I’ve always wanted to be an owner – of something!”
Tracie Marsh
Networks 4 Success graduate
Employee, Evergreen Cooperative Laundry

“I stopped in to a job-readiness workshop on a beautiful sunny day, and it was packed. There is a passion here and it was palpable. It wasn’t scripted for a visit from the county. The trainers connect with the clients. In this population, they know if you truly care for their future and want to help them become self-sufficient.”
Luis Vazquez
Director of Cuyahoga County Health and Human Services Office of Re-entry

“Working with Towards Employment has been nothing but positive for Embassy Suites! For nearly four years, they’ve been our recruiting service – helping us hire many of our best employees. Towards Employment even helps with personal issues that affect our employees’ ability to keep a job. They just provided legal help to one of my servers facing home foreclosure – so her family stayed out of a homeless shelter and we were able to keep a good employee.”
Ellen Schlifke
Director of Human Resources, Embassy Suites Cleveland Downtown

“Many of our entry-level nursing aids come from the inner city, with lives of incredible stress and pressure. Towards Employment has done a great job pre-selecting and training qualified candidates for us -- making them successful at City View. Even in our very demanding industry with high turnover, they bring us employees who are more professional, more motivated, and better educated – giving them an edge over someone walking in off the streets. They help us find people who can stick with a job – and not go back to depending on welfare and society to take care of them.”
Cindi Trubach
Human Resource Manager, City View Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Achieve goes out and talks with their other employer partners and helps them implement best practices. We tap into each others’ resources and expertise to deliver a better product with more brains working together!
Denise Smudla
Director of Human Resources, Jennings Center for Older Adults

"I feel like an apostle, preaching the good news. I didn’t support Towards Employment financially until I volunteered for them. Now I see what they do is so crucial – I wish I could give more money."
Virginia Havens
Retired Cleveland public schools teacher
TE Volunteer