Elisha struggled early.  He had a learning disability so school was difficult.

Raised by a single mother, he wanted to be productive and give back to his family and the community.  He came to the Youth Resource Center in February 2016 to look for a job. At that point, Elisha had never held a job, and did not have a career plan; but he had relatives working in the culinary industry so he knew he could start there.  He completed a 2-week job readiness training and started a 4-month paid work experience at Bloom Bakery (Towards Employment’s social enterprise) working in the bakery side of the business.

This helped him build a resume and provided him with a work experience he could share with future employers. In working with his career coach, he chose to pursue an opportunity with Step Up to University Hospitals and was hired at the main campus. He has been at UH now for 2 years and has received several promotions. He talks to his career coach regularly and is building skills to become a supervisor.

Loretta, a single mother of three with 9 grandchildren, worked as a State Tested Nursing Assistant for 15 years before taking a position as an office manager for a construction company. After five years, the company downsized and she faced the challenge of finding a job while raising her grandson on her own. She attended Step Up to UH and was hired at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center as an Environmental Service Worker.  In less than a year, Loretta met her goal of returning to direct patient care with an advancement to Patient Care Nursing Assistant after participating in training facilitated by Towards Employment. Loretta now trains new Patient Care Nursing Assistants on her floor and her manager says, “Loretta exceeds expectations - mentioned by both staff and patients as providing exceptional care.” Loretta already has another goal: “I plan to begin the Nursing program at Tri-C this fall semester.”

Thomas, Eva and Therese all attended Towards Employment Reentry Pathways job readiness workshop.

Pursuing TE’s assistance for different reasons, they became friends and found their way on the machining career path and supported each other through CNC training because they were all driven to succeed.

Thomas entered training right away because he wanted to learn Swiss Type machining. Now working at a career job with good wages and benefits, he says: “I didn’t have anyone behind me saying I was halfway decent until I had TE and the teachers at CITC backing me. When I started, I just wanted to survive. TE had an agenda and I am not done yet, not even close.”

Eva was working as a production line leader at minimum wage trying desperately to support her family.  She wanted more (a better home and school system for her children) but her criminal background was a barrier. After workshop, she enrolled in classes at CITC while maintaining current employment, was hired in a good manufacturing job and recently bought a house. “I was ready to change my life when I came to TE. I’ve accomplished everything I wanted. Now, I need a new dream.”

Therese could no longer work in the medical field. With support from her career coach, she applied and attended a training program designed to prepare machinists to work at a large manufacturing firm.  She finished her paid internship and has a full-time position now. “TE gets really excited when something happens for you. You need someone who knows how far you have come.”