Erica Sheffield-Gholson

"When I was first laid off, I was upset and didn't think things would go my way. Now I'm excited about being in nursing school. KentuckianaWorks helps me pay for tuition, books and scrubs. I want to be able to buy a house and set up a college fund for my sons. I'm excited about our future."

Erica Sheffield-Gholson, mother of two boys. She is in school to become a licensed practical nurse and then plans to become a registered nurse.

Maryella Gibson-Davis

"After being laid-off, I was drawing unemployment and looking for a job, but I needed a viable skill in the workforce. So I'm majoring in medical billing and coding at Spencerian College. Without the KentuckianaWorks funding, I could not go to school. The program has meant everything to me."

Maryella Gibson-Davis, who plans to work in a hospital or doctor's billing office

William Gesell

"Trying to find a job was a challenge – it's a tough job market. I really didn't have a choice but to go back to school. Now, I can't think of anything better than to get in a field where I could help people. I want to work with the Veteran's Administration at one of their clinics."

William Gesell, who was laid off from a machinist job after years working in manufacturing. The U.S. Army veteran is majoring in clinical assisting with limited medical radiography.

Roderick Daily

"When I lost my factory job, I needed further skills to get another job. Without KentuckianaWorks, I still wouldn't have more skills and would still be searching for a job. With their assistance, now I have skills and am employable."

Roderick Daily, who completed welding training

MaryBeth Winchester

"It's my dream come true to be an RN. Before the KentuckianaWorks program came along, I always felt I'd be stuck and not be able to advance. If I was to win the lottery, I would still want to be an RN – it's been a dream for a long time. This program is allowing me to accomplish my dream."

MaryBeth Winchester, who has completed training to become a registered nurse

Gail Zehnder

"Going back to school has definitely put a positive influence throughout the whole house. It's a good role model for my sons. They know I have a goal and now they have a goal later down the road. My husband is very proud. KentuckianaWorks has helped me tremendously with paying for school."

Gail Zehnder, a surgical tech student and mother of two

Phyllis Snider-Cummings

 
"I saw this program as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to better myself. To me, my family and my future, this is a daylight and dark difference. It will give me financial stability. I've been out of school for a long time, so this has been an adventure as well as a challenge, but I'm thrilled to no end that I did it."

Phyllis Snider-Cummings, who has completed training to become a registered nurse

Jeffrey Bassett

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"KentuckianaWorks helped put me through school, which I couldn't afford. They even gave me the choice of picking out what I wanted to do. I've bought a house, I've bought a motorcycle. Child support is paid. I don't have everything I want, but I have everything I need. I'm a whole lot better off today than I was before."

Jeffrey Bassett, a father who lost his machinist job. Through KentuckianaWorks, he earned his CDL (Commercial Driver's License) and became a truck driver like his father and grandfather.

Ebony Calloway

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"Before KentuckianaWorks, I was in a dead-end position. They were laying off, so I was unemployed for about three months. Then I decided to go to school. I recently got my associate degree in accounting and started applying for higher positions. About my second interview, I got a job. We recently bought a house, so it just opens up a lot more opportunities within the family."

Ebony Calloway, who is employed at a local bank and working on her bachelor's degree in accounting with a goal to become a certified public accountant.

Hank Carr

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"I'm doing what I like to do. I love coming to work every morning because of that. I'm able to save money, pay my bills, take care of my kids. I'm able to travel. I can buy my kids things they need, plus some of the wants. Without the construction pipeline training, I wouldn't have the opportunities that have come my way. That's what I looked for and wanted for so long was just the opportunity."

Hank Carr, who went through the KentuckianaWorks Construction Pipeline training, located at the Louisville Urban League. The free training is for local residents serious about a career in the construction industry. The program assists trained graduates with job placement in the building trades.

Daniel Hawkins

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"KentuckianaWorks helped me become successful by giving me a career counselor. I mean, I knew what I wanted to do, but the career counselor helped me get on track to graduate. If you even remotely have an interest in anything, pursue it."

Daniel Hawkins, RN, who accessed a KentuckianaWorks Scholarship to finish his degree.

Willie Lynch Jr.

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"I think, wow, a few months ago, I was just pounding the pavement wondering what I was going to do with myself. Unemployment isn't where you want to be. Now, I have a stable job, a job that's needed. And it's well paying. I have a future. I enjoy my job and look forward to going to work."

Willie Lynch, CNA, who was laid-off from a restaurant management job and went into certified nurse aide training through KentuckianaWorks. He was employed nine days after passing his certification tests. Willie plans to become an RN.

Sheila Pry

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"I went back to school after being out of high school for 30 years and had a 4.0 (perfect grade-point average). It's given me self-confidence. I've got a good job now. I'm self-supporting. I support myself totally by myself, and I'm independent. And that the most important thing – I'm independent."

Sheila Pry, who lost her factory job when it closed. Through KentuckianaWorks, she became a medical assistant and is employed in a doctor's office.

Robert Dean Kearn

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“I have more time on my hands; I could spend more time with my daughter. And I don’t have as much stress, since I make more money now. I’m able to have a livable income, and I’m very happy with my job.I guess when you get into this (going back to school), you don’t know all the good things that could happen. Everything just kind of worked out. But I had to have help, and KentuckianaWorks really helped me.”

Robert Kearn went back to school and earned his associate’s degree in Respiratory Care. The Native American Employment and Training Program at the KentuckianaWorks One-Stop Career Center, located at the Nia Center, provided the job-training funding for his education. Robert is now a respiratory therapist at a local hospital.

Jemiah Clay

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"So many good things have come to me behind this Construction Pipeline Program. Financially, I am great. Family-wise, it’s given me so much more confidence. I have five daughters, and I set the standard of what a man is. It feels so good to be able to do for my family. My wife, she’s more confident in me. I mean, my kids are more confident in me. When they go to school and say my daddy’s an ironworker or my daddy helped build the arena, I can see the glow in their face. All the way around, it’s helped tremendously. I owe everything to the Construction Pipeline Program, I mean absolutely everything! I can walk with my head up, my chest out because I’m really working."

Jemiah Clay, who went through the KentuckianaWorks Construction Pipeline training, located at the Louisville Urban League. The free training is for local residents serious about a career in the construction industry. The program assists trained graduates with job placement in the building trades. Jemiah is in an ironworker's apprenticeship.

Jessica Drake

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"The (KentuckianaWorks Construction Pipeline) Program helped me to prepare for exactly what’s going on in the field and to know that it’s hard work, but it’s rewarding and it pays off in the end. I’m a single parent of two children. And eventually they’re going to college. I’ve been in a lot of dead-end jobs. I wanted to have a career. I wanted something with stability and longevity."

Jessica Drake, a first-year carpenter's apprentice who went through the KentuckianaWorks Construction Pipeline training, located at the Louisville Urban League, after being laid off from her factory job. The free training is for local residents serious about a career in the construction industry. The program assists trained graduates with job placement in the building trades. Jessica's dream job is to own her own remodeling business.

Dr. Mark Wourms

"At Bernheim, summer work is a combination of seasonal employment and internship. Our interns are always engaged in educational activities so they get an understanding of the business as a whole. Seasonal employment is about getting out there and getting dirty and doing things that need to happen. By combining those two areas, we not only give these young people a chance to earn money but we convey a good work ethic and basic job skills, plus broadening their perspectives by exposing them to different areas of our business. We've had a great group of young people – they've worked hard, have done what we wanted and have been respectful. I think it's been a very, very good program."

Dr. Mark Wourms, Executive Director, Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Ten summer jobs participants were involved in all aspects of Bernheim's extensive operation.

Maxine Jeffries

"Having summer jobs participants working at City Hall has helped us catch up on many of the 'someday' jobs – those things you mean to get to someday but never have time to. This has been an excellent program for us."

Maxine Jeffries, City Clerk, Shepherdsville
Five participants did filing, general office work and landscaping for city government.

Darleen Horton

"It's been a life changing experience for these young people. I would hire any of them to work for me."

Darleen Horton, Chenoweth Elementary, science lab teacher
Summer job participants helped her maintain the school's outdoor classroom.

Mindy Smith

"Our summer job participants worked really well with everyone. They learned networking skills, how to introduce themselves and job interviewing skills. They've exceeded everyone's expectations. It's been great for us, and I would definitely call it a success."

Mindy Smith, Girl Scouts, where three 16-year-olds helped in the office and with camp

Dale Douthat

"This is a great program. It's nice for young people to get experience and letters of recommendation from an employer."

Dale Douthat, Habitat Restore, where 19 summer job participants worked in all aspects of the store's operation

Ryan Deal

"The kids are getting a chance to see what work is like and see that IT (information technology) is fun. It's helped students because they get to see the professional environment and learn how to act in a work environment."

Ryan Deal, technology teacher, Jefferson County Public Schools

Alan Jimenez

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"I would definitely recommend KentuckianaWorks College Access Center. They can help you if you're lost and don't have any idea how to start college. They can help with filling out forms and finding financial aid. They're the best option for help to go back to college."

Alan Jimenez, a student at the University of Louisville's Speed School of Engineering. The KentuckianaWorks College Access Center, formerly known as the Kentuckiana College Access Center, provides free educational, financial aid and career counseling to help people enroll in college.

Jessie Brown

"There were many things to overcome. The main thing I was able to overcome was fear – fear of not bettering myself, fear of failing, fear of what's ahead. But as long as you stay on your path, you're sure for success."

Jessie Brown, who earned her GED through the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program, and plans to become a certified nurse aide and then an RN.

Michael Murphy

"This program is good because of all the help and support you get. The people are really helpful. They prepared me for the GED and helped me get a grant for college. They are willing to sit down with you and teach you."

Michael Murphy, a GED graduate of the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program, who plans to enroll in college.

Brittany Weird

"I wanted to make sure there would be no reason for my daughter wanting to ever drop out because that is not an option. I can tell her, 'I did go back. I did finish.'"

Brittany Weird, a recent GED graduate at the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program, and mother of a four-year-old daughter.

Kyle Kobrock

"It was wonderful for me to get my GED through the JAG program. They will sit down and work with you on any subject – math, English, science, whatever. I highly recommend going through the JAG program."

Kyle Kobrock, who earned his GED through the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program.

Tori Martin

"Getting my GED is one of the best things I've ever done in my life. Right after I got my GED, I started (certified nurse aide) classes. The next step is starting nursing classes."

Tori Martin, a GED graduate of the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program, and mother who plans to become an RN.

Spencer Sumner

"Obviously, having the GED is a lot better credential for pursuing something beyond high school. The classes helped give me basic knowledge for stuff I would use out in the real world and in employment. I'd like to enroll in college and pursue something in law enforcement."

Spencer Sumner, a GED graduate of the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program.

Victoria Carroll

"Now I can get stuff that I need – like a real career, real college, real degree. My GED is a stepping stone to a whole new life. I can now get into college. I can now pursue any career that I see fit."

Victoria Carroll, who earned her GED through the KentuckianaWorks Youth Career Center, formerly known as the Bullitt County Youth/JAG program.

Charles Turner Jr.

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"KCAC most certainly gave me a jump start to my college career. The adviser at KCAC was very encouraging. Her words were very supportive, and I think that just hearing that from somebody who didn’t know me stayed with me throughout my course of studies."

Charles Turner Jr., who is pursuing his Ph.D. The KentuckianaWorks College Access Center, formerly known as the Kentuckiana College Access Center, has helped him with financial aid forms and other assistance for attending college throughout his college career.