ECWDB Success Stories

WIOA Helped Evan Achieve his Goals

Evan : Carteret Success Story

Evan enrolled in the WIOA program in November of 2022 with a 10th-grade education.  He dropped out of high school several years before and has been “on his own” for most of his young adult life. Evan met with his Career Advisor and was able to map out the steps for him to reach his goal, including completing his high school equivalency, obtaining work experience, and preparing for his post-secondary transition. When asked about his interest in law enforcement, Evan shared that he survived a family whereby he reported, the police were called to his house excessively due to his parents’ domestic violence. However, Evan had positive role models in law enforcement in his family, which spawned his interest and motivation to be a positive role model in the field. 

Evan earned his High School Equivalency approximately one month after enrolling in WIOA and entered a paid work experience with the Morehead City Police Department in January of 2023 where he excels in each challenge they give him, including fingerprinting, taser training, and drug sniffing. He revels in the camaraderie of the officers and staff and is hopeful of being sworn into the MCPD next year if a spot is available. Due to his age, Evan will not enter post-secondary BLET training until January of 2024, where his tuition will likely be sponsored by the MCPD collaborating with WIOA to assist with books and supplies. In the meantime, Evan found a position as a Security Officer at the local hospital to help build his skills while continuing to maintain his work experience at the MCPD to continue to network with local officers and absorb their breadth of knowledge. Evan can also be seen “moonlighting” as McGruff the Crime Dog at official police events and when local schools visit the police department. Evan has expressed his gratitude to the WIOA program, his Career Advisor, and his worksite supervisor for being supports to help him be successful in his goals.

Brittney Overcame Great Challenges with the Help of NCWorks

Brittney : Lenoir Success Story

Brittney, a Wayne County resident, was attending Lenoir Community College for her associate degree in nursing when she applied to the WIOA Program. She is a single mother of two and worked part-time while enrolled in the nursing program. After the completion of her first semester, she applied to the WIOA Program and was eligible to receive assistance. As a WIOA Adult Participant, Brittney received financial aid assistance with tuition, fees, books, and Kaplan Testing Fees. Although she worked part-time, she needed supportive service assistance with her clinical sites and school. WIOA was able to provide mileage reimbursement assistance for her monthly until she completed the program. Brittney set goal objectives every semester and enjoyed her counseling sessions with her WIOA Career Advisor Ika Grant. The counseling sessions gave her time to discuss what she was learning in the nursing program, additional assistance needed, and any other factors she felt comfortable talking about. Her Career Advisor would often research topics related to her studies to help her review for upcoming tests or make referrals to other agencies if needed. Brittney rigorously studied about 300 NCLEX questions weekly. During Brittney’s last semester she was hospitalized while on Spring Break. She informed me she was pregnant and had complications. She had to remain in the hospital until she delivered her twins.

Thankfully, Brittney had successfully completed all coursework and clinical assignments. Her instructors permitted her to attend class online for her Kaplan/NCLEX reviews. Brittney delivered her twin babies at the end of April. Her premature son and daughter remained in NICU after birth. Brittney was physically able to return to campus to attend LCC’s Pining Ceremony for Allied Health Students. She was surprised with the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nursing Students. This award acknowledges and honors nursing students for the above-and-beyond care and compassion shown to patients and their families. Brittney was excited and honored to be recognized. She is the first student at LCC to receive this award.

Brittney remained steadfast on her goal and continued studying and preparing to take the NCLEX-RN exam. She asked and received WIOA assistance with the NCLEX exam, NCBON application fee, background check, and graduation regalia. She was able to participate in LCC 2023 Graduation Ceremony and received her associate degree in nursing on May 9, 2023. On May 31, 2023, Brittney achieved her goal and passed the NCLEX-RN exam. She endured a lot and never gave up hope. Her daughter is now home, but her son is still in the hospital improving. Brittney accepted a job offer as a Public Health Nurse for the Lenoir County Health Department. She will start her new role on July 10, 2023.

Brittney thanks the WIOA Adult Program and her WIOA Career Advisor, Ika Grant. She stated, “Ms. Ika is such a sweet person and so open to helping me with whatever I needed. I know it's her job, but I do feel she works beyond her title and genuinely cares about other's success and well-being. Mrs. Grant’s work ethic proves how we know God has her in the right place!” Congratulations and awesome job Brittney!

Dave Found a Job he Loved through NCWorks

Dave : Carteret Success Story

Dave first visited the NCWorks Career Center in August of 2022 after being laid off as a machinist. Dave came in because he needed help in his job search and updating his resume. He quickly obtained assistance at the Career Center and Carteret Community College. Dave made finding his next job a priority and started his new position as a Machinist on board FRC East at Cherry Point on December 5, 2022. He is happy and thriving in his new position and stated it was "the best job he has ever had!” Dave credits his success to the efforts of the dedicated staff at NCWorks Carteret County and Carteret Community College for helping him to realize his dream so quickly!

NCWorks Helped Alexis Obtain her CDL and Find Employment

Alexis : Carteret Success Story

Alexis M. came to the Career Center in November 2021, working part-time, 25 hours a week as a Retail Shopper for Insta-Cart. She was underemployed and met WIOA eligibility criteria. Alexis expressed a desire to train and earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). She had previous work experience driving and knew she would enjoy driving big rigs over long distances. Alexis demonstrated confidence, adaptability, and optimism consistently with instructors and her WIOA Career Advisor. She demonstrated grit and perseverance during her training and earned her CDL in May of 2022. Alexis soon found employment with P & S Transportation, a national company that operates and manages more than 1,000 trucks. Her employer was incredibly pleased with Alexis' hard work and positive attitude and provided her with a ring after her training period. She is now full-time with the company and has the opportunity to earn incremental raises. Soon she will increase her pay further, by receiving a percentage of each haul. She is currently earning a family sustainable wage of over $45,000/ year. Her company also provides benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage; paid leave; and life insurance. Alexis loves her job, the freedom to do, what she loves, and the financial independence it has provided her. She is so grateful for the opportunity she received from the WIOA program through Carteret Community College. The training, financial assistance, and overall support at the college and the NCWorks Career Center made it possible for her to become successful in a non-traditional occupation for a female, let alone a minority female. She is truly outstanding!

NCWorks Helped a Homeless Veteran Find Support

Anonymous Veteran : Onslow Success Story

Onslow NCWorks received a phone call from the Executive Director of the Onslow County Re-Entry Council. The director told them that he had received a phone call from an Onslow County Probation officer with an issue concerning a veteran who was being released from prison in two days and would be homeless. As the director couldn’t provide all the details, NCWorks asked to speak directly with the probation officer so that they could work with him to solve this issue. The probation officer proceeded to inform them about the veteran’s background story, who was initially released from prison after serving his sentence, was currently on probation and living at his mothers’ home in Georgia when he was cited for a probation violation. At this point the veteran was taken into custody and returned to prison in Lumberton, North Carolina. The Parole and Probation Board overheard his case and decided to overturn the probation violation. Due to the sensitive nature of the crimes committed, coupled with the time it would take to transfer the veteran’s probation back to Georgia from North Carolina, upon the veterans release he would have been facing homelessness. NCWorks, in conjunction with Veterans Services of the Carolinas staff, began making calls and putting together an action plan. After floating around many ideas, we found an open bed for the returning veteran at an all-male veteran homeless shelter in Statesville, North Carolina. The veteran now has shelter and food while his assigned North Carolina Probation Officer expedited his probation transfer back to Georgia, where he will have the support of his family and local organizations.