Success Stories

Real People, Real Achievements
Orion Jones

Orion Jones

Platform to Employment Reentry

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Watch Orion’s video here.

 

Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter

ApprenticeshipWorks

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Watch Travis’ video here

Laurian Nashema Gray

Laurian Nashema Gray

ApprenticeshipWorks

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Watch Laurian’s video here.

Jenifer O'Looney

Jenifer O'Looney

Platform to Employment

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Watch Jenifer’s video here

 

Jamaal Taitt

Jamaal Taitt

Platform to Employment

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Watch Jamaal’s video here

 

Anabelle Melendez

Anabelle Melendez

Health Careerx Academy

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Watch Quinn’s video here

 

Quinn Hayes

Quinn Hayes

ApprenticeshipWorks

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Watch Quinn’s video here

 

Dolores Mayorga

Dolores Mayorga

Platform to Employment

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“Long-term unemployed, a new baby and a toddler, bills piled high, and no job in sight. This was my reality every day for several months. I struggled and was lost. Being sent an invitation and joining this cohort was life-changing. Free of charge, capacity to develop and hone your skills, solid mentorship and coaching, build relationships, improve networking abilities and ultimately come to be employed. The program is transparent and provides that and more. Each of the coaches is an integral element of P2E that provide expertise and support to our team. Each collaborative session delivers a wealth of information with informative speakers. You are encouraged, you are acknowledged and by the end of each week, you are a better version of your personal and professional self.”

“I am proud to say, during this program I was hired full-time as an Administrative Assistant at Yale-New Haven Health Institute of Excellence. With the help of my coaches, I negotiated a salary I felt comfortable with using the tools they laid out. I could not have come upon a better program. Thank you P2E!” – Dolores Mayorga, Seymour

Quin'shon McKoy

Quin'shon McKoy

ApprenticeshipWorks & CareerHub

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Quin’shon M. is a 20-year-old Bridgeport resident and participant of The WorkPlace’s YouthBuild and ApprenticeshipWorks programs. “I felt that manufacturing would be a good stepping stone to lead me into my adult life. So that was when I dual-enrolled in the ApprenticeshipWorks program to get training for CNC Machining.The WorkPlace helped me with everything I needed to succeed. They provided transportation to training at Platt Technical School, gave me workboots & tools, and helped me attain my Drivers License Permit”.

Quin’shon has been working as Shop Technician at Rotair since June 13. The role is full-time with benefits. When asked about his future goals, Quin’shon said, “My short-term goals as of now are to complete my apprenticeship, earn my associate’s degree in Advanced Manufacturing at Housatonic Community College, and eventually pursue a bachelor’s degree.”

Cynthia M.

Cynthia M.

Platform to Employment

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Cynthia M was unemployed for nine months after being laid off from her previous job as a Client Advocate & Business Analyst for Realized Solutions. Before enrolling in Platform to Employment (P2E), she was having moderate success with interviews but was not getting any job offers. “I was comparing myself to the wedding analogy, always a bridesmaid, never the bride,” she stated about her job search before P2E.   

Cynthia enrolled in P2E’s 20 days intensive program in September 2020. She worked with staff to refine, learn and employ new job search strategies. Cynthia updated her resume, LinkedIn profile and practiced mock interviewing. With the help of her career coach, she was able to identify transferable skills that would help her stand out among other applicants. Cynthia has recently accepted a position with Homeserve as a Business Analyst.   

“P2E lifted me up and encouraged me just as I was feeling stuck and sinking in my job search. Through P2E, I was armed with additional techniques, knowledge, and resources. The support that I received from the staff and my classmates is invaluable.”- Cynthia M. 

Maryann Pigage 

Maryann Pigage 

MaturityWorks

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Maryann Pigage had been unemployed for five years before joining MaturityWorks. Prior she worked as an administrative assistant and front desk receptionist, overseeing financial data, recording confidential records, and arranging and planning meetings. Once that position ended, she found herself actively looking for employment, but her search was unsuccessful.  

Maryann’s primary barriers to employment were her lack of a professional network, self-confidence, and Microsoft Office skills. Since she had been out of work for five years, her skills were outdated. Maryann worked with her Career Counselor to address these barriers and was placed at RSVP Volunteers Inc. in King of Prussia, PA, as an administrative assistant for her training assignment. During her training she managed RSVP’s database, maintained their records, and responded to telephone calls, taking messages.

Maryann attended several training courses to advance her employable skills such as Microsoft Office, customer service, and administrative support classes. Once Maryann’s computer skills improved and her confidence boosted she began her job search. In addition Maryann and her career counselor began to inquire if permanent employment was a possibility at her host agency, RSVP. Once Maryann knew the agency was open to the idea of a hire, she began to learn all she could about the company and continued building relationships with people in the organization. 

Maryann’s hard work, and her willingness to work with her Career Counselor enabled her to move into a job at RSVP as an Administrative Assistant. Maryann is excited to be working as an employee of RSVP and grateful to the MaturiyWorks staff for their support. 

Reginald Ferguson

Reginald Ferguson

MaturityWorks

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Reginald Ferguson enrolled in MaturityWorks after hearing about the program from a friend. His passion is entertaining and performing for people and he carries that passion into the workplace, where he has worked primarily in office support roles, helping co-workers and clients achieve their goals.

Before enrolling, Reginald was unemployed and struggled to find suitable employment, which affected his confidence. Reginald started to feel down about his prospects and needed an opportunity, a roadmap to employment, and positive reinforcement. He was hesitant about the MaturityWorks program but took a chance and grasped the opportunity.

There were several obstacles he had to overcome to acquire the type of employment he desired. Reginald had to improve a number of skills including listening, teamwork, time management, attention to detail, and self-management. Lastly, he wanted to regain his self-confidence. The MaturityWorks staff played a crucial role in keeping Reginald motivated during his job search.

Reginald had multiple assignments was as an office support trainee to diversify his training. He was placed at to Scottish Rite House, and later the Ralston Mercy Douglas House working in office support roles. By aggressively pursuing employment leads Mr. Ferguson was hired by Security Resources Inc. as a full-time security guard. Even though this job was not in office support, it is a bridge to where Reginald ultimately wants to be. Reginald is excited to be working again and grateful to the MaturiyWorks staff for their support.

Christine

Christine

Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program

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Christine was seven months behind on her mortgage when she first met with her MCJTP Specialist in September 2018 at the Enfield American Job Center. Christine is married with one older child at home and she was working fifteen hours per week at just over minimum wage as an office clerk with no opportunity to work additional hours. No one in the household was employed at the time and her current position did not provide enough income to cover bills and mortgage payments. Christine enrolled in the Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program (MCJTP) where she learned to prepare for job interviews. Her MCJTP program specialist reviewed her resume, provided career guidance and discussed training opportunities. She was also referred to the American Job Center for further assistance with acquiring skills in preparation for her job search.

Christine had been an LPN until 2014 but was unable to continue in this career. With assistance from her Program Specialist, she researched healthcare certification programs and concluded that obtaining certification as an Ophthalmic Assistant would help her achieve her goal of remaining in the healthcare industry. This career could also provide her with the income needed to save her home and secure a better life for her family. With a training scholarship from the MCJTP, she successfully completed the Ophthalmic Assistant Program. After searching for a position and attending several job fairs, she was able to secure a job in July 2019 as Critical Care Assistant with Allume Home Care.

Jermain Burke

Jermain Burke

Advanced Manufacturing

Jacinda Mattu

Jacinda Mattu

Dress for Success

– Written Success Stories –