Posted on: Jan 31, 2017
Some had recently been laid off. Others were looking to get out of dead-end jobs. All were in search of a better life.
In 2016, WorkSource Atlanta Regional served more than 38,000 people in Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties. These individuals received a range of services designed to jump-start their careers, from resume preparation and career counseling to industry-specific training and computer literacy courses.
These programs provided a bridge to a better future. Indeed, 99 percent of customers who completed training found employment, with an average starting wage of $18 per hour.
Each year, the Atlanta Regional Workforce Development Board (ARWDB) recognizes people from around the region who have found success, often fighting enormous odds.
The honorees included Keimante Lyons, who spent much of his teenage years in foster care. After aging out of foster care, he found housing and job training services at Hearts to Nourish Hope, a nonprofit located in Clayton County that is one of WorkSource Atlanta Regional’s youth providers.
At Hearts to Nourish Hope, he obtained his high school diploma and completed a paid work experience with the Riverdale Fire Department. Keimante continues to volunteer at the fire department while completing an automotive training program. He has his own apartment and is now enrolled in Hearts to Nourish Hope’s Independent Living Program.
Another honoree, Precious Love, a Gwinnett County mom who lost her job as a medical lab technician and was out of work for more than a year. After completing a job skills training course at WorkSource Atlanta Regional’s Career Resource Center in Gwinnett County, she found meaningful employment at a local health care company, earning $18 an hour more than she did in her previous job.
The ARWDB also acknowledged community leaders and businesses that helped individuals explore career options and develop job skills. One such champion was Jeff Mitchell of South State Bank who was recognized as an Outstanding Business Partner for his work with Cherokee Youth Works/Cherokee Focus, a WorkSource Atlanta Regional youth provider.
Jeff taught young people about money management and careers in banking using curriculum donated by South State Bank.
Below are the 2016 Worksource Atlanta Regional customers and community partners recognized at the ARWDB Recognition Ceremony:
- A’Cire Newby, Adult Customer, Clayton Career Resource Center
- Consultorio Medico Hispano, Antonio Molina, Chief Operating Officer – Outstanding Community Partner with the Center for Pan Asian Community Services Youth Program
- Nedra Bailey, Dislocated Worker Customer, Clayton CRC
- Keimante Lyons, Youth Participant, Hearts to Nourish Hope Youth Program
- Precious Love, Dislocated Worker Customer, Gwinnett CRC
- Stanford and Thomas Mechanical, Derek Anderson, Outstanding Business Partner, Hearts to Nourish Hope Youth Program
- Shirley Foulk, JobSmart Workshop Participant, Clayton CRC
- Kyle Shelton, Youth Participant, Cherokee Youth Works
- Jeff Mitchell, SVP City Executive, South State Bank – Outstanding Business Partner with Cherokee Youth Works/Cherokee Focus
- Tamika Seals, Adult Customer, Gwinnett Tech CRC
- Varhonda Goodson, Adult Customer, Clayton CRC
- Whitaker-Taylor, Scott Burton, CEO, On-the-Job Training Employer
- Pablo Stuardo, Whitaker-Taylor, On-the-Job Training Participant
Learn more about these outstanding ARWDB award winners: