Maryjane recently achieved something she never thought was possible, when she became the first person in her family to earn her High School Equivalency Diploma (HSED).
“I have worked hard toward my HSED, and I greatly appreciate this opportunity,” she says. The opportunity Maryjane is referring to are the resources offered by our newest addition to the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program, an Education Navigator. This teammate specializes in helping people like Maryjane find the supplies and community resources to achieve their educational goals. In Maryjane’s case, her Education Navigator was Rich.
Rich was familiar with her circumstances, having met other parents facing similar challenges in rural Wisconsin. She had limited resources, needed glasses and a driver’s license, and did not know how to maneuver through the technical college system. Something that stood apart about Maryjane, however, was her dream of becoming a Vet Tech.
“I’m going to treat exotic animals like snakes and iguanas,” she told Rich with a smile. She’s passionate about reptiles and even has a pet python. Earning her HSED was a first step toward achieving this goal. The question was, how?
Rich quickly got to work, connecting Maryjane with a tutor named Brenda at the Marinette & Oconto Literacy Council. Brenda helped Maryjane get prescription eyeglasses and earn her driver’s license. For the next year and a half, they met each week to earn her HSED. Meanwhile, Rich ensured that Maryjane had all the supplies she needed to continue classes, like a backpack, notebooks, and planners.
Maryjane diligently worked toward her HSED, even when illness swept through her household and her husband broke his hand. Her easygoing, well-organized, and patient nature made her a delight to work with as she passed each exam with mounting confidence. She felt so well supported that she even took on additional job training with our Call Center Professionals Training Course.
It was especially important to Maryjane to show her young children that it’s possible to succeed through life’s obstacles. It made her a stronger mom and gave her the opportunity to pursue dreams she had not considered before.
Today, Maryjane says that “I am truly excited about my future schooling and career plans.” She hopes to find call center work while continuing her education toward the dream of becoming a Vet Tech.
Congratulations, Maryjane!
If you’re a parent in need of support, see how our Wisconsin Works (W-2) program can help!
