Our Successes

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.

Adult/Dislocated Worker Program Coordinator Leigh Dunning reports on her customer. “David had served in the Marines, earned two bachelor’s degrees following his military service, and worked in management at a local call center for several years. When the call center closed, he decided to stay home to care for a family member. In June 2018, after a six-year gap in employment, he was ready to re-enter the workforce,” Leigh explains.

Assessment/Referral Coordinator Reba Utley reports on her customer. “Travis needed assistance to get back into the workforce and knew this would be difficult due to his past history. Travis sought assistance from Man-Tra-Con and discovered that he was eligible for job search services that would help him find employment.

Career Specialist Michelle Sanchez reports on her customer, “Abigail was working as a server at a restaurant when she decided to pursue a career in healthcare after conducting her own research. She and her husband did not earn enough together to support their family of four. Abigail was approved for training assistance through Man-Tra-Con for the fall 2015 semester.”

Career Specialist Sherry DeAngelo reports on her customer. “Amanda, single mother of six children, began working with Man-Tra-Con in June 2018. She was receiving SNAP benefits and did not have a reliable support system in place to encourage her and help with childcare. Amanda was eager to find work, but had gaps in her employment and needed more job skills to secure a job at a self-sufficient wage,” Sherry explains.

Career Specialist Michelle Sanchez reports on her customer. “When Jared visited Man-Tra-Con seeking assistance in May 2017, he was determined eligible for WIOA services as a dislocated worker unlikely to return. He had lost his job at American Coal due to a substantial layoff and was eligible for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Career Specialist Michelle Sanchez reports on her customer. “Peighton, a single mother of an 11-month old child, had been working full time at Southern Illinois Hospital in Carbondale for nearly 4 years when she came to Man-Tra-Con for assistance. Peighton was seeking WIOA training assistance for the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program she was pursuing at Rend Lake College (RLC) in Ina, Illinois.