Our Successes

Career Specialist Michelle Sanchez reports on her customer. “Brooke was eligible for WIOA services based on her household income. When we first met in May 2018, she was working on campus at Rend Lake College (RLC) as a student worker. However, Brooke was only able to work 15 hours per week.

Career Specialist Autumn Basler reports on her customer. “Jason Naas had been unemployed for 6 years when he came to Man-Tra-Con seeking assistance. He was enrolled in the EPIC program through the Department of Human Services, receiving SNAP benefits, and living in subsidized housing. In addition to assistance from EPIC, Jason was also eligible for WIOA services to help him with training and job search,” Autumn explains.

Career Specialist Andrea Rodgers reports on her customer. “Briant had received an honorable discharge from the United States Army in December 2012. After leaving the army, Briant found a job at Premiere Utility Services in Marion, Illinois, where he worked locating and marking underground electrical and gas lines. He was “laid-off” after six months of employment. With limited work experience and training, Briant was having trouble finding a good paying job.

Career Specialist Dana Marlow reports on her customer. “In January 2018, Candace came to Man-Tra-Con seeking a career in healthcare. She had been receiving food stamps and support from the Department of Human Services through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. She had recently received her GED after completing the GED program at John A. Logan College (JALC),” Dana explains.

Career Specialist Mary Sloan reports on her customer. “In February 2018, Shon came to Man-Tra-Con Corporation for career assistance. He had been receiving food stamps from the Department of Human Services’ Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) program, and was referred to us from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS).

Career Specialist Reba Utley reports on her customer. “In May 2018, Toriaun lost his job from Thomas Service, Inc., in DuQuoin, Illinois. Losing a job can happen to the best of us and Toriaun experienced this first hand. Instead of sulking, he took action and came to Man-Tra-Con for job search assistance and training,” Reba explains.

JoDene Kern reports on her customer. “In October 2016, when Caleb enrolled in the Youth Services Program, he had little hope for his future. He was 22 and a high school dropout. He had never held employment and needed assistance in setting goals to prepare him for self-sufficient wages. His first goal was to obtain a GED,” JoDene explains.

Career Specialist Amy Durfee reports on her customer. “In August 2017, Emily walked into the American Job Center in Marion seeking training and job search assistance. I met with Emily and her mother after an orientation session and discovered that Emily had been homeschooled for the last few years,” Amy explains.

Career Specialist Michelle Sanchez reports on her customer. “Jerry first visited Man-Tra-Con at the end of 2017, where he learned about the various services available to him. He had been working in the restaurant industry and was looking for full-time, permanent, self-sufficient employment. Jerry knew he needed to return to school to find a better paying job.

Assessment/Referral Coordinator Reba Utley reports on her customer, “In November 2017, Hannah visited Man-Tra-Con seeking help with finding a good paying job. She was eligible for training assistance and was able to receive funding to enroll in the Psychology program at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.