Keisha
I often wonder what motivates people to stay at jobs for years, and love what they do? ls it their pay, benefits, responsibilities to their families, and or consequence?
As a twenty-six-year-old single mother of a six-year-old and three-year-old, I have thought of all these factors before and after being terminated and or walking away from jobs in the past. Thankfully, CareerSource Escarosa is a program that understands even with these concerns at hand, most parents need more help along the way.
Work Training/ WT/ and or TANF was the first program out of workforce I sought out. Work Training is a program that emporarily assist single parents with cash while unemployed and or working that need help paying for some expenses. WT also helps people in general navigate on computers, dress for success, fill out job applications, and workshops that focus and work ready material for a better chance at landing jobs applied for.
While in the program, my career advisor Ms. Rita Parker referred me to a few other programs that would be able to assist in my goals to a better future. Community Action and S.O.A.R. immediately after calling to get information about S.O.A.R.’s program, I knew I had found a program that not only interested me, but fit my particular goals and needs. Having my high school diploma, no criminal background, and the drive and expectation to see this program through successfully.
There was and is so much to be grateful for, but also to be taught. Within the first week I met with Ms. Veronica Burnett (Manager of S.O.A.R) and together she and Ms. Leah Nelson have helped me turn around and accomplish more in two weeks than I have in the past few years. With Ms. Nelson’s help I have been able to apply and be considered for better employment, with an updated and considerable resume. Also, while in the S.O.A.R. program l’ve built relationships with people that genuinely want to help me restore past mistakes such as bad credit reports, discussing how to deal with relations that affect me and my children, establishing stability, etc.
Applying for college has been the peak of this whole process because, I believe and know from personal experience that l will never be too old to learn anything. The discussions and activities in these meetings are very helpful in preparing me for this new adventure with college, but also in life. Ms. Burnett has instructed me on how to build my resume and employer interest through Ready to work Florida and Udemy, which are practice courses that have reading, math, etc. test that appeal the eyes of employers and or are required in some job fields.
Ms. Veronica has also helped me find my transcripts through Penn Foster high schools Business to Business department. Which I may add, I wouldn’t have had the patients before to find on my own with little to no help from Penn Foster’s web site. To think all this became in just a few weeks, from handling calls when checking on applications, strategizing and bulleting tasks, business preparation, school and interview readiness, etc. These key tools confidently prepare me to ask questions needed to be asked, process information, and also conduct myself in a professional manner if and when coming across unfair treatment and following chains of command and or protocols.
Bringing me to my last remarks. We all have heard someone or have been pressed to believe at some point and or situations, it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Personally, I have seen favor trump knowledge. That’s why I can’t express enough how being a part of this program has given me new vision, opportunity, confidence, and knowledge of how my journey doesn’t end with ones answer or with what I do or don’t know, but with how far l’m willing to go or find for myself. I appreciate every member, department and association with the S.O.A.R. program not only for myself but woman, mothers, men, fathers, and youth that becomes a part of this program. lf there is anything I will take away from this program to better myself and future it will be making use of resources, budgeting money, and organizing and processing information. While working on those things I have passed PERT Testing, registering for fall semester at PSC for Hospitality management, seeking scholarships and funding resources such as W.l.O.A to help with financing in school. Aware of all the possibilities out there I am confident in myself and the wonderful team S.O.A.R. that supports and stands behind me to help with the challenges that will come my way.
Thank you for all you do.
Sincerely,
Keisha Edwards