One Day at a Time
February 10, 2023
Financial struggles can bring the weight of the world down on a parent. Audrey knows about that firsthand. Nonetheless, she still advises to “Just...
story Tag
Success is in the Details
January 30, 2023
When Emily asked Bret if she could write a story about his success in the FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program, he laughed, asking...
Jacqueline’s Dream
October 25, 2022
When it comes to achieving a dream, a good plan is essential. Without a goal to strive toward, however, I’m reminded of the exchange...
Welcome Inspector Paul
May 25, 2022
“I have been blessed by God throughout my life with good things happening to me when I am in need,” writes Paul. He’s a...
Carrie Books Her Ticket to Success
May 24, 2022
That sweet baby girl means everything to Carrie, who joined Wisconsin Works shortly after her daughter was born. Today, Carrie knows her baby is...
Michael Makes It Personal
February 17, 2022
A personal touch can go a long way. When Michael found a job through our FoodShare Employment and Training (FSET) program in 2020, he...
Lacy Lights the Way
February 14, 2022
Sometimes parents need a light to guide them through life’s storms. As an unemployed single mom, Lacy was not sure how to support her...
Melina in the Middle
February 7, 2022
Sometimes it’s easy to feel caught between two places in life—where you are and where you want to be. Bridging this gap can be...
David Schools His Dreams
January 31, 2022
The pandemic has had far reaching effects and not just on employment. Education and training have had more than their share of new obstacles,...
Ruffus: A Role Model for Future Students
December 14, 2021
Initial success isn't the only thing worth acknowledging: ongoing commitment is hard work and deserves recognition. Today we're congratulating Ruffus. He is celebrating six years...
Irene’s Success
November 8, 2021
Join us in celebrating Irene's success, as she enjoys new full-time employment in a position that offers her a complete benefits package! A few years...
Lah’s Success
November 1, 2021
Today we celebrate Lah, who has found his way to self-sufficiency through the Road to Livelihood program. In 2020, Lah and his family came to...
Willie’s Success
October 25, 2021
Today we celebrate the success of Willie, who has recently accepted a new job offer. He is now managing his finances, covering housing and...
Donna’s Success
October 18, 2021
Nuclear Density Technician – that's a cool job title and one that Donna is proud to call her own. Just last year, she was...
Ray’s Success
Construction Stories, Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, Jobs, Success Stories
August 30, 2021
When Ray came to FSET in April, his dream was to get back to truck driving. He had been out of work for a...
Kakola’s Success
Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, Jobs, Other, Road to Livelihood Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories
August 16, 2021
Kakola came to the United States as a Refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo in July of 2020. Kakola’s wife, Furaha, came here...
Adriana’s Success
Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, News, Success Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories
June 28, 2021
Adriana wanted to be a professional – somebody knowledgeable, respectable, and helpful. The thing is, her only real experience was working in cleaning jobs....
Nick’s Success
June 21, 2021
As the single father of a four-year-old boy, Nick wants his son to have the same kind of security that he had growing up....
Vanessa’s Success
June 14, 2021
Congratulations to Vanessa, who recently started her new job! After five years as a stay-at-home mom, getting back into the workplace was like entering...
Renee’s Success
April 26, 2021
Congratulations, Renee! She’s recently secured a clerical position with the State of Michigan. 😊 Before we met her, Renee had been working as an administrative...
Brianna’s Success
April 26, 2021
Meet Brianna – a woman on the move. She came to FSC because she wanted new opportunities to become the best version of herself...
Donya’s Success
March 29, 2021
When health issues took Donya out of the workforce, she joined Wisconsin Works to support her family while applying for disability benefits – only...
Dawn’s Fresh Beginning
March 23, 2021
Dawn was a busy mom who was moving up – she had a good job, and she was finishing her bachelor’s degree. Then suddenly,...
Yadira’s Success
March 15, 2021
A little over a year ago, Yadira moved her four children from the southern U.S. to Wisconsin. She was hoping to find a home...
It’s Construction Season
March 9, 2021
When Sirenia graduated from TrANS, we thought she'd jump right into a new construction career, but that didn't happen. "After chatting, Sirenia explained that...
Chelsea’s Change
March 8, 2021
Chelsea came from the big city, where she did well as a cellist. It was exciting work, but not always steady. After moving, however,...
April Redefines Herself
March 1, 2021
“I am a single mother and did not want to depend on the system to support my family,” says April. Two years ago, she...
Six months later
February 22, 2021
When Latoyia learned that she was about to become a mom, she went straight into prep mode. She had a job that barely paid...
Yeralyz Discovers Her New Path
February 15, 2021
Shortly after having her second child, Yeralyz discovered that she needed surgery. She’d planned to join Wisconsin Works (W-2) for support during maternity leave,...
Destiny Awarded for Aspirations in Computing
February 8, 2021
We’re proud to announce that Destiny, a junior in our Upward Bound program at Madison East High School, has been awarded a 2021 NCWIT...
Lakeshia Fuels Her Passion
February 1, 2021
Imagine yourself sitting down at a local diner. There’s a light chatter of guests and wait staff bustling around. We’re mid-pandemic, but truckers still...
A reputation for the Best
January 14, 2021
Brandon advises anyone interested in construction to remember that “Your reputation begins in the classroom!” Construction is a small world, meaning that names get...
Amy Jump-Starts 2021
January 12, 2021
Amy is starting 2021 with renewed hopes, as she recently jump-started her life — and the car that was causing her so much trouble...
Always Ready for a Challenge
January 11, 2021
Sometimes the success that comes from working with TrANS can take a while to set in. Take Rashaun for example. He came to the...
Shannon Switches Gears
January 11, 2021
This time last year, Shannon never would have expected to see herself enjoying a job in manufacturing. She’d always been in health care, so...
Shawana’s Success
December 21, 2020
Shawna had just gotten a teaching job in a local daycare when the pandemic struck. Working with others who loved youngsters was a dream...
Sarah’s Dreams Are Coming True
Education and Training, News, Success Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Stories
December 21, 2020
Sarah is a creative and talented woman, but you don’t have to take our word for it. Just check out a few pages from...
Amanda’s New Horizons
December 2, 2020
When Amanda’s employer went under, she decided to turn unemployment into an opportunity to retool her career. She’d often hoped for an office position,...
Vakia’s Success
December 2, 2020
Vakia moved to Wisconsin to make a better life for her daughters — when she learned about FSC, she realized there was no better...
Margaret’s Success
November 16, 2020
Margaret seemed to be doing everything right to get ahead— training, showcasing her talent, and earning certificates. Nonetheless, she recalls having “a 3-ring binder...
Tracie’s Transformation
November 16, 2020
“I never thought my life would turn out this way, but I’m sure glad it did,” says Tracie. Last year, she was homeless, jobless,...
Jenna Nurses Her Dreams to Life
October 19, 2020
One year ago, Jenna was wondering how to finish her nursing degree, when baby number four was due...
Amanda Pursues Her Passions
October 12, 2020
Congratulations to Amanda, who recently started her new job at Americollect! We know she's going to do great work, because we've seen her...
Nick’s Fast-Tracking His Dreams
October 6, 2020
Congratulations to Nick, who's passion for cars has gotten him on the fast-track to his dreams! Although he's fresh out of college, auto has...
Dennis Drives His Future Forward
September 28, 2020
“I came from a colorful history and managed to create a beautiful painting with it,” says Dennis. He used to deal with pain in...
Empowered to be Different
September 28, 2020
When Amber tells people she's in construction, they're always surprised to hear that she's got one of the dirtier jobs. She drives a tack...
The Joy of Independence
September 16, 2020
After being in prison for 30 years, Randy never expected to be where he is today: “Independent, making money at a job – a...
Buckling Down to Work Up
August 24, 2020
“I did everything Angie said, and I got the job!” Dawanna announced to us the minute she was hired at Spectrum. As soon as she...
Capri’s Route to Success
August 12, 2020
Last week was even busier than normal for Capri. She typically attends several appointments a week for her son, who has special needs. She's...
Julia’s Success
July 14, 2020
Please join us in congratulating Julia, a young mother who won't let anything stop her from giving her newborn the best start possible. This...
Debra’s Caring for Our Word
April 6, 2020
“I am fortunate to be working and appreciate my job more than ever,” says Debra, a 2017 TrANS graduate. She just wrote in to...
Angel’s Success
March 13, 2020
A man was walking in the woods when he fell into a deep, dark hole. He shouted until a friend came by. Instead of...
Reilley’s Big Plans
March 4, 2020
Today we want to introduce Reilley, an Upward Bound student with big plans for her future. Navigating high school and the journey into adulthood is...
Going Beyond Survival
March 2, 2020
Ebonie moved to Wisconsin a few years ago, after her children’s father was shot and killed, looking for a safe place to raise her...
Relentlessly Positive
February 26, 2020
Carmen has been following a long and winding road these last few years. She moved to Wisconsin after a hurricane wiped out her community down...
Lifelong Learning
February 24, 2020
Say hello to Whitney, a single mom who’s proving that lifelong learning and a great attitude are key to overcoming anything – even the...
Bethany’s New Future
February 3, 2020
Bethany is a survivor who escaped an abusive relationship, and in doing so, was forced to quit her job. She began business classes and...
Jeremy’s Stepping Forward
January 30, 2020
After a health issue forced Jeremy from the manufacturing floor, he didn’t how to get his life back on track. At first he came...
Tyiquite’s Success
January 29, 2020
Today, we want to introduce you to a brave young woman named Tyiquite. Knowing that she wanted a better life for herself and her...
Open Eyes, Bright Future
December 23, 2019
When Gregory enrolled in TrANS, he soon found himself juggling classes, homework, and his second shift job—it was hard for him to even find...
Kathleen: Part of American History
November 18, 2019
For Kathleen, TrANS opened up more than a career path. It opened the doors to becoming part of American history. “I always had a fascination...
Rx marks the Spot!
October 7, 2019
Tina had a stable career as a dental assistant for 15 years, while her husband watched their three children at home. Then her world...
Precious Soars to New Heights
September 9, 2019
“I came to TrANS with nothing but hope and ambition,” says Precious, “and I’ve been soaring ever since.” The moment she started her career...
Jason’s Best Advice
September 9, 2019
As a full-time single dad, Jason would do anything to be a good role model for his son. For a while though, he wasn’t...
Crystal’s Setting the Bar
August 5, 2019
Crystal joined Wisconsin Works and FSET to support for her family during unemployment. It didn’t take long before she was amazed to find herself...
Success Spotlight: Tyson
July 29, 2019
Tyson's upbeat personality and drive to learn were a beacon of hope to his classmates throughout the TrANS program. Now that he's graduated, Tyson's...
Rosa’s Leading the Way
July 22, 2019
As the mother of seven children, Rosa has been a full-time chef, nurse, coach, driver, personal secretary, teacher, and supervisor. When she decided to...
Odessa Finds Her Voice
July 15, 2019
Putting together a sentence has always been tricky for Odessa, so when she got the keys to her new apartment, she sent us a...
Sa’s Talents
July 8, 2019
Sa couldn't bring much with him when he fled from the ongoing crisis in Myanmar, but he did carry with him a wealth of...
Education Jolts Gewelesis’ Dream
July 1, 2019
Everyone who's seen the giant tag on a hairdryer knows that if you drop it in water, you're going to get zapped. As a...
Small Family, Big Dreams!
June 26, 2019
Mikayla’s winning smile here at the Office Professionals graduation only tells part of her story. This is one of the most determined young women...
Angel’s Redemption
June 17, 2019
Angel landed 52 interviews in three months, only to be rejected each time because of a past mistake. "I was chasing any sales job...
Rhonda Rises Above
May 20, 2019
Rhonda is a wonderful mom who puts her heart into everything she does. As the devoted assistant manager of a local thrift store, she...
Positioned for Success
May 13, 2019
Ashley is a textbook example of professionalism. A few months ago, however, she decided that she wanted a new profession. She came to FSC...
Kristen-of-All-Trades
May 6, 2019
Kristen is a pretty handy person to have around - that's one of many reasons we love her! She was known as a jack-of-all-trades,...
Alyssa’s Training Connection
May 6, 2019
As a waitress, Alyssa used to take odd shifts all the time. She needed to pay the bills, but as a mom, she also...
Jake’s Upward Bound
May 6, 2019
We’ve been blown away by the scholarships our Upward Bound class of 2019 has received this year! Today, let’s give a round of applause...
Jena’s Perfect Fit
April 9, 2019
Because Jena's positive vibes are pretty much contagious, we thought we'd share her great news to make your day, too! She just accepted a...
Angelica’s Upward Bound!
April 1, 2019
With a list of accomplishments that gets longer each year, Angelica's been living her college dream. She's currently on the premedical track at the...
Confidence in the Right Places
March 18, 2019
Katlyn recently wrote a powerful letter to thank our staff for their support after she gave birth to her son. They not only helped...
Motivated to Succeed
March 4, 2019
Failure is not the alternative to success,” says Shanteria. “It’s something to be avoided, but it’s only a temporary setback on a bigger, more...
Nicky Stays with W-2 to Achieve Dreams
December 10, 2018
Nicky's achieved a lot in a short time. When her second child was born, she needed reliable support. Wisconsin Works was just the ticket....
Off to a Running Start
December 3, 2018
Harmony knows that a strong support system is key to thriving as a parent, particularly one who's going for her degree. Her family has...
Karen’s Moving Up
November 21, 2018
"I’m working my way up from the bottom," says Karen. After losing her office job in 2016, she had to give up almost everything...
Ryan Starts His Career in Logistics
November 19, 2018
After leaving the Navy, Ryan's life was one transition after another, as he searched for his place in civilian life. Homeless, he enrolled in...
Laci’s Triumph
October 29, 2018
To get through her nursing program, Laci learned how to do her homework with babies snuggling on her lap. With a baby, a toddler,...
Target Acquired
October 22, 2018
One quick tumble changed everything for Melissa. Her doctor told her she couldn't go back to work for a while, and she wasn't entirely...
The Perfect TEMP for Success
October 8, 2018
Tyler made an instant connection with Bob and Marley when he started volunteering at the Grant County Humane Society. The brothers were untrained rescued...
Thomas Earns His Dream Job
October 1, 2018
Today, Thomas is more driven than ever before, not just because of his motivated personality, but because he’s earned his dream job at YRC...
Danima’s Success
October 1, 2018
With three young boys to love, Danima had no time to lose. She came to FSC to jump out of unemployment and get her...
Eugene Climbs His Mountain
September 24, 2018
Ranard describes Eugene with two words: "simply amazing." At 58 years old, he is the oldest male to graduate TrANS, and he's not only...
Strong Allies, Strong Family
September 17, 2018
Suli enrolled in Wisconsin Works because she plans on welcoming her second child to a strong family. After a series of setbacks left her...
Allisha’s Grand Opening
September 17, 2018
Allisha is opening up a new chapter in her life as a small business owner, with a boost from FSC! Other people might call it...
Pawahna’s Success
August 27, 2018
"Pawahna lights up the room with her enthusiasm," says Meghan, a counselor with the FSET program. Even though Pawahna has been a U.S. citizen...
Jacole’s Unrestricted Success
August 20, 2018
"It means a lot to me to have a good job with a great company!" exclaims Jacole. After a back injury left her out...
Makhia’s Expecting Great Things
August 6, 2018
Imagine studying for your finals with one youngster at home and another on the way. That would be enough to make anyone gulp, but...
DeShawn Trains for Family’s Future
July 30, 2018
"Only you can hold you back," says DeShawn. He just graduated from the TrANS construction program, and with hard work and teachers who believe...
Motivated Mom
July 23, 2018
Two things stand out about Merissa – she’s a professional multitasker and her organization skills would impress anyone. She worked for four years in...
Dawn’s New Horizon
July 16, 2018
When Dawn moved to Wisconsin, she brought a whole lot of energy and compassion with her - but she was surprised that her CNA license...