Lillian’s story is not just one of personal triumph but also highlights the collective effort of organizations working together to uplift individuals and families in need.
As a single mother of two, without a job, a place to call home, or way of getting around town, Lillian faced her fair share of challenges. Yet, her determination to lock down a job and create a stable environment for her family led her to look for extra help. Lillian knew that our Wisconsin Works (W-2) program “helps parents find the right job that fits them”, and that’s what she did.
After enrolling, Lillian and her case manager, Emily, walked through her aspirations and mapped out a realistic plan to get there. Through taking the Life Area Survey, Lillian discovered her dream of working in an office setting. With it’s stable environment and day working hours, it was the perfect position for Lillian to raise her family. However, childcare emerged as a significant obstacle. Despite these challenges, Lillian was committed to making this dream a reality.
To make sure Lillian was equipped with the right skills to secure her dream job, Emily enrolled Lillian into our Office Professionals course. Though eager to start, the next session was also during Spring Break when her normal daycare provider was closed. Lillian knew that this would make it difficult for her to consistently attend the class, so she made the tough decision to wait and enrolled in the next session when she could fully commit her time and focus to learning.
A few weeks passed, and Lillian was ready to start learning. While in the thick of it, Lillian received an unexpected phone call. It was an employer who she recently interviewed with and was offering her a position at their company! She was ecstatic. This opportunity was a crucial step toward her ultimate dream of securing a home for her family. However, the job required Lillian to work more hours than her daycare currently covered.
Upon hearing the news, her case manager Emily quickly made a call over to one of our CARE Network partners, Encompass, and worked with them to provide the necessary childcare support, ensuring Lillian could work full-time and her children were well cared for at the same time.
Now having this major obstacle handled, Lillian is excited to start her new job. Though she still dreams of an office work setting, she knows that this new job has great potential to get her to her dreams.
We’re thankful to have partnerships with organizations who exemplify the impact of community support and the importance of accessible childcare services for working parents. It just goes to show that with the right support and opportunities, anyone can navigate the path to success and stability.
If you’re a parent in need of support to reach your career goals, see how our Wisconsin Works (W-2) program can help!
