ECWDB Success Stories

Never Give Up

Cheryle Melton : Success Story

Mrs. Cheryle Melton's story is one of courage, perseverance, and hope. In 2018, she was suddenly without work as the company she had worked for for over 10 years was forced into massive layoffs. Instead of giving up, Cheryle took this opportunity to further her education and give herself a better opportunity to achieve her dreams. Cheryle discovered the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs through NCWorks representatives and found out that these programs would provide funds and resources that would allow her to go to school. In addition to this, the Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA) would continue to pay Cheryle's unemployment check after it stopped coming in. After Cheryle successfully qualified for these programs and took her placement exams, she began going to class for her Office Administration Degree. Due to the programs from NCWorks, Cheryle was able to focus completely on her education, without financial worries hanging over her. 

Cheryle thrived in the academic environment. Her dedication, effort, and hard work payed off in amazing ways. She maintained a 4.0 GPA through all 4 semesters and earned certificates in both Office Administration and Microsoft Applications Proficiency. She was also awarded the "2020 Outstanding Student of the Office Administration Curriculum" award. Besides the accolades for her accomplishments, Cheryle also discovered her passion for tutoring other students during this time. Cheryle told us, "I will forever be grateful for the Trade Adjustment Assistance, Trade Readjustment Allowance, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act programs. If not for these programs and the two special ladies who helped me through this journey, I never would have gone back to college. Gina Colie and Catherine Stickles believed in me, allowing me to believe in myself." Cheryle is now working at Wayne Community College in two part-time positions, one as a professional tutor and the other as a health screening technician. She continues to pursue her dreams, and we wish her the best in her journey. 

NextGen Youth Program

James : Youth Success Story

James was in an automobile accident when he was 9 years old and lost his leg. He wanted to work and find a career in which he could make a difference, but due to his disability, it was painful to stand for long periods of time. James was working two manufacturing jobs when he enrolled in the NextGen Youth program at Lenoir Community College in Kinston, NC in February 2018.

After career counseling, including a review of labor market information and career assessments, James decided he wanted to enroll in Nursing. He suffered from memory issues from the accident, so he was worried about how successful he would be in the program.  He decided that he would go through the continuing education healthcare career pathway and enrolled in Nursing Assistant I (NAI).  James had trouble passing the skills exam and he paid out of pocket with the money he was earning at a paid work experience (WEX) site through the program, and retook the NAI class. He passed the written and skills exam and became certified. James’ WEX worksite at that time was Eastpoint Prosthetics & Orthotics, the place where he had gone for his prosthesis.  He also completed a WEX at Spring Arbor.  James has taken and passed the NAII class and is currently in a WEX at UNC Lenoir Health Care.

James has participated in all the NextGen activities and meetings, including attending NC Youth Summit, assisting with job fairs, and serving the homeless at Mary’s Soup Kitchen in Kinston, NC. James is currently mentoring another NextGen youth participant and serves as a youth mentor through The Gate in Kinston, NC.  He has also attended Eastern Carolina Workforce Development Board (ECWDB) Youth Council meetings and shared his experiences with the members. He connected with the Unit Manager of Vocational-Rehabilitation who said the program could assist with school if James wanted to go into a career making prostheses.

WIOA Youth Program

Lillian : Youth Success Story

Lillian came the WIOA Youth program in 2017 seeking to earn her Adult High School Credential.  She succeeded in completing this credential that same year and entered the early childhood associate degree program at Carteret Community college in the spring 2018 semester.  Along the way, Lillian was accepted in the Partnership East Program and Pirate Promise program and set her sights toward the associate transfer program with the intention of attending East Carolina University to earn her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

While attending class, Lillian participated in paid work experience through the WIOA Youth Program. She started the work experience component as a means of career exploration and to develop her employability skills.  She initially started as a Front Desk Attendant at the Boys and Girls Club.  After successfully completing this program, she went on to work as a Kids Program Specialist at the NC Maritime Museum. At this work experience Lillian gained experience planning child friendly, educational activities for visitors and school groups. Lillian then went on to work as a Teacher Assistant where she worked with children ranging from birth to Kindergarten. She completed SIDS training and after-school program training and excelled in her role.  Her last work-based learning opportunity was as a Human Resource Assistant for Carteret Community College.  In each of these work experiences, Lillian gained new knowledge of working with the public, children and administrative tasks, all of which will give her a good foundation for her continued course of training.

Lillian has stated of her experiences, “The WIOA program has given me the opportunity through work experience to explore career options. It has allowed me to work with some amazing mentors who are always there when I needed advice or just needed someone to talk to if I am having a problem and to help push me in the right directions.”  

Lillian has also taken advantage of other services offered by the WIOA Youth Program including supportive services, financial literacy, leadership opportunities, and completion of the Career Readiness Certificate.  Most notably, Lillian was selected and attended the North Carolina Youth Summit in 2019.  

Lillian completed her associate degree program in the summer of 2020 and transferred to ECU during the Fall 2020 semester to complete her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.

NextGen Youth Program

Shaelah : Youth Success Story

In Webster’s dictionary, success is defined as “obtaining one’s goal” or “attaining a favorable or desired outcome,” and fortitude is described as the “strength of mind that enables one to meet adversity with courage.” This incredible success story is about Shaelah, a young woman who not only reached her goal of earning her high school diploma and an associate degree in Science Degree from Lenoir Community College concurrently, but she did it with the extra passion to earn high academic honors while working part time in a health clinic, and giving birth to a baby boy during her senior year at Jones Senior High School. She was named a North Carolina Academic Scholar by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and finished her high school career ranked fourth in her graduating class with a weighted cumulative grade point average above a 4.0 value. Shaelah was inducted into the National Honor Society, the Career and Technical Education Honor Society, and lettered in three sports.

Shaelah’s dream is to work in a medical and health science career. While striving hard to reach her educational and career goals, she became a mother too. Her positive attitude enabled her to meet each day’s challenges with a smile and an extra purpose to accomplish her goals. Everyone who worked with her was inspired by her steady focus and ability to look at her life’s journey as a blessing, and one that would give her even more success and fortitude to carry with her into her future endeavors. She is currently enrolled in a phlebotomy course at Lenoir Community College as she prepares to build on her educational and career skills. She sees her future as a dedicated healthcare professional and a proud and loving mother.