Success Stories

We want to recognize those in the WIOA program that have made great strides in their personal and professional development. See their stories.

2023 Success Stories

Fair Chance Hiring Event - May 2023 Success

What a tremendous success!
The Fair Chance Hiring Event at the Workforce Community Hope Center was a resounding triumph! Held on May 31st, this event showcased incredible opportunities for both the residents of Community Correctional Facilities across Oklahoma and members of the local community.
In the morning session, we welcomed around 70 inmates who expressed their gratitude for the event, as it provided them with one less worry upon release. This portion of the event proved immensely beneficial, with numerous employers finding potential employees to join their teams in the near future.
In addition, we were thrilled to have 53 community members in attendance, actively seeking employment opportunities and engaging with our diverse range of employers.
This event was made possible through the remarkable collaboration between the Oklahoma Department of Corrections, Workforce Community Hope Center, Goodwill Industries of Central Oklahoma, Inc., and the other five Workforce Development Boards across the state. Together, we are making a profound impact on lives and communities.

Kyra Rivera - April 2023 Success Story

Discover how COWIB changed Kyra's life! Fully funded by COWIB, she completed her two-year degree after losing her job during the pandemic. Kyra learned valuable skills in social media and worked full-time for COWIB. Mentors, Yolanda, Ashley, and Terri, supported her throughout her experience.

"If I had never, like, if I had never signed up for this, I would never be in the position that I am now. And I feel like it's helped, like, my mental, just, like, knowing, like, 'okay, you have a path now. You are capable of doing these things. You are capable of this.' "

Norma Adame - March 2023 Success Story

Norma had been in some jobs in her past that didn't support herself and her family. Through the program, then she was able to obtain Information Technology (I.T.) skills and gain a job that she describes as her dream job. We are so proud of all of Norma's hard work and her persistence in learning and applying her skills daily!

"Give it a chance. Do the internship and see what training you can get available... I encourage people to give it a chance to truly let this be an experience, because this has changed my life."

Kimberly Aswadomar - February 2023 Success Story

Kimberly took a big risk to try to improve her family's quality of life. She was able to get assistance with gaining her LPN and went from living paycheck to paycheck to now thinking about where she might want to go on vacation. She is even looking to continue her education even more and get her RN. She took a big risk and got a big return! When asked about the program, she stated

"Come down here and give it a try. I mean, don't doubt it before you come and try it out first."

Sidra Sebastian - January 2023 Success Story

Sidra had previously been in the disaster relief field, helping when hurricanes hit. That was until COVID, when she moved to Oklahoma to be around her family. She wanted to find a new path that was outside of disaster relief and with the assistance of Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, Workforce, and MedCerts, then she was able to gain a credential and go to work in Program Management. When asked about the program, she stated

"I would say it's great. If you have the opportunity to go to school, take it, you know, and don't look a gift horse in the mouth. And come in and, and talk to people. Find out what direction you might want to go in or maybe let them know what direction you want to go in and they'll find something for you."

2022 Alumni Winners

Jasmine Birge. A young woman wearing scrubs.

Jasmine Birge

I enrolled into the WIOA program when I was 23, I was single and pregant with my first child. I was receiving SNAP benefits to help me get by. I was employed and only making entry level wages and all I had was my CNA license. I enrolled as a youth when I enrolled into the WIOA program. I was told by my Career Navigator, Lisa Perrigo, of all the opportunities that the program could help me with, and training being one of the opportunities. I knew I wanted to further my education in the medical field, and I needed assistance with funding so I knew this would be the option for me. I knew by going back and getting more training that it would be the best choice I could make, and it would help me get a pay increase and that would help me support myself and my child. I enrolled in the program to seek assistance with CMA training, and I also received assistance with the required uniforms. I completed my training and I received an incentive for the completion and then I went a little further and got my Advanced CMA.

I am very thankful for this program and for the funding that I received, and I hope my story can help others to reach out to their local workforce center and get help with training or even help to just look for a job. My goal is to continue my education and keep moving up the medical career ladder so I can be fully self-sufficient and support my family and have a career I love.

Mercedes Meeks. A portrait of a woman wearing a nursing cap, white robe, and stethoscope around her neck.

Mercedes Meeks

My name is Mercedes Meeks and I'm from Norman, Oklahoma. I enrolled in the WIOA program in 2018. I was 18 years old, a single mom with a 1-year old daughter. I was unemployed from Whataburger and receiving SNAP benefits during this time. I had attended some college at Oklahoma City Community College but did not complete a degree. My signicant other and I discussed about me entering the nursing field. I told him that I had no idea where to start. He got online and Googled "how to get assistance with a health career" and Oklahoma Works popped up.

So, I went to Oklahoma Works office located at the Norman Library where I met with Career Navigator, Terri Jacobs. She referred me to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) staff to help me apply for unemployment benefits. Terri shared about the WIOA programs; she said I would qualify because I received both unemployment and SNAP benefits. I let her know that I wanted to attend training for a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) program. Terri helped me with enrolling into the WIOA Dislocated Workers program. She assisted me with funding for training with my CNA and then my CMA (Certified Medical Assistant). Also, I obtained my Advanced CMA, which led me to attend a rigorous 11-month LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse) program.

Terri Jacobs did an amazing job keeping in contact with me during my journey toward a career. The IWOA program has done wonders for me. It helped me be able to accomplish my goal of working in the medical field. I can proudly say I graduated as an LPN on June 21st, 2022!

Laura Fleet. A woman standing with her hands on her hips. She is wearing a black dress and peals.

SendaRide - Laura Fleet

SendaRide is a technology-focused non-emergency medical transportation company. We eliminate transportation barriers for the frail vulnerable, elderly and impoverished by providing rider-experience-centered transportation, matching the eeds of the rider to the capabilities of our Care Partners (drivers). Matching the needs of the rider to the Care Partner's ability ensures the most appropriate Care Partner transports the rider to their destination. Our Care Partners, riders, and clients are supported in real time by our staff, many of whom were hired and trained through our Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation Board (COWIB) partnership. COWIB is a wonderful community resource to connect motivated, high-quality applicants with employers. SendaRide's had tremendous success in securing employees through COWIB. Nineteen percent of our current staff participated in COWIB's Work Experience and on-the-job training programs, resulting in skilled employees who fit our operations and culture, and who ae extremely motivated to serve our stakeholders. We often share our successes with others and we contact COWIB when we recruit staff.

SendaRide CEO and co-founder Laura Fleet sets the tone and provides direction for SendaRide managers to work closely with other organizations in our area engaged in workforce development, such as ReMerge, a comprehensive diversion program for women in Oklahoma County. We work closely with COWIB and ReMerge to provide work experience, On-the-Job Training, and career skills growth. All of our COWIB alumni are also ReMerge participants or graduates.

Laura keeps abreast of workforce development initiatives via her advisory board seat at NEMTAC, a national organization promulgating medical transportation standards and best practices. We also implement practical skills enhancement programs, such as our recent engagement with Google and Coursera to provide professional certification in seven different IT-related course tracks. Staff are working through various courses to strengthen our IT skillset. We also identify tracks to place our COWIB Work Experience and On-the-Job Training participants into fulltime positions with career advancement paths. We look forward to continuing our partnership with COWIB to provide workforce development in central Oklahoma.

2022 Success Stories

Gary Friedlander - December 2022 Success Story

Gary had the unfortunate circumstance of being laid off from his last employer. He had been working in manufacturing for years and, with the layoff, he was left needing to find employment. Due to the nature of the layoff, Gary qualified to receive TAA assistance, so he was able to go back to school and try a new career path. He decided to go for his nursing license and he is well on his way to becoming quite successful at gaining his license and gaining employment. Great job, Gary! When asked about the program, he stated

"I would say it's great. If you have the opportunity to go to school, take it, you know, and don't look a gift horse in the mouth. And come in and, and talk to people. Find out what direction you might want to go in or maybe let them know what direction you want to go in and they'll find something for you."

Anthony Anderson - November 2022 Success Story

Anthony shared about how he had gotten into trouble when he was younger and he started to turn his life around while he was incarcerated. He had goals to turn his life around and get his CDL so he could travel and be able to make enough money to support his family. He was able to get his CDL and begin driving over the road and now has a goal to stay more local so he can rebuild the relationships with his family and friends. When asked about the program, he stated

"Catch a bus, stop by, if you pass by!"

Kamille Smith - June 2022 Success Story

Just like many, Kamille thought that the WIOA program was too good to be true and was convinced that it was a scam. After getting more information and learning what she could gain from the program, then she entered into it. After 2 years of unemployment, she has now found a full-time job working for the same program that she previously thought was a scam and too good to be true. She gets to see people's lives change everyday through the work that is put in by Career Navigators, OESC staff, SNAP staff, etc. When talking about the program, she states:

"Opportunities just waiting for you down here... Please come down and get your opportunity. It's there, I promise!"

Madison Phillips - May 2022 Success Story

Madison had found out about the workforce program through Facebook. She saw that there were openings at Speir Agency in Okemah. She was able to participate in the Work Experience (internship) program and then move into On-the-Job Training. She has contemplated going back to school but hasn't decided yet, but in the meantime, she is truly enjoying her job at Speir Agency. She states:

"I'm glad I came across the workforce because it really was a blessing in disguise."

Travis Smith - April 2022 Success Story

Travis had been in two jobs over the past 29 years and when medical circumstances and the pandemic hit, then it left him unemployed with, what he felt like, no skills. He had not heard about the workforce program until Jessica Adkerson tapped him on the shoulder and let him know that there was help out there for him. He is so proud of his accomplishment of earning his Class A CDL and he says that it feels like freedom for him and his family. He states:

"I'm very blessed that Jessica was in my corner to help me and walk me through everything. So, I can thank her and workforce and the state of Oklahoma for where I am today in life."

Kaitlynn Armstrong - March 2022 Success Story

Kaitlynn had been working in fast food and was tired of it. She was encouraged by her aunt to go to school. With the assistance of Lisa Perrigo and Tami Morgan, then she was able to attend Gordon Cooper Technology Center and earn her Phlebotomy certification. She is now successfully employed at Alliance Health in Seminole. For those that don't know about the WIOA program she states:

"Oh! It's awesome! Like I said, they make it easy. They help you with everything every step, um. Definitely do it, even if you're scared. Just do it. Do it."

Garrett Trammell - February 2022 Success Story

Garrett had been previously working in a factory and was referred to his Career Navigator, Tami Morgan, to go to school. He attended Arbuckle Truck Driving School and successfully obtained his Class A CDL. He was able to obtain self-sufficient employment at Melton as a Driver. For those that don't know about the WIOA program he states:

"For people that haven't joined the workforce, I would say get your foot in the door as soon as possible. There's a lot more benefits if you can get in there early, get it done, get knocked out. They can help you a lot more. There's a, there's a lot of opportunity in it and you're missing out if you don't take advantage of it."

Brittany Simmers - January 2022 Success Story

Brittany was working in the food industry and her and her husband had decided that it was time for one of them to go to school to improve their ability to make a sustainable wage and provide for their family. She had tried going to college a couple of times before and didn't finish. She went to MIO Dental and was able to learn about the WIOA program as a means to help pay for her training. Brittany met with Tiffany Monholland from MIO Dental and her Career Navigator, Terri Jacobs, and was able to complete the requirements to receive funding assistance and successfully complete the Dental Assisting program. She graduated on August 22, 2021 and has been working as a Dental Assistant. For those that don't know about the WIOA program she states:

"It's really amazing. Like, it really is. You meet some great teachers at MIO, uh, Terri's awesome, as well. She's really good with getting her emails back to you and the line of communication is really good. And the workforce program just really did wonders for my family."

Previous Alumni Winners

2021 Business Champion: CLM Construction
2021 Youth Alumni Winner: Willie Melendez
2021 Adult Alumni Winner: Shannon Yousey

Check out our previous success stories on our YouTube Channel.

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