Persistence Pays
March 27, 2023
We earn trust by pulling through on our promises, especially when it’s hard. When Michael joined Wisconsin Works (W-2), he wasn’t expecting anything special. He...
W-2 Tag
Christina Hears You
March 21, 2022
Christine knows the value of being heard. That’s why she was drawn to her career path in social work. “I am always willing to...
Charles’s Success
Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, Jobs, Success Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories
August 18, 2021
Like so many of our clients, Charles’ success story is one of tremendous courage as he sought real change in his life – for...
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....
Kathleen’s Success
May 3, 2021
Kathleen started working in dental offices over 25 years ago. At the time, it didn’t require a diploma, so she left high school, started...
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,...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
What We’re All About
July 6, 2020
For Sheri, Wisconsin Works is about much more than employment. Through her participation in W-2, she was able to bring her family out of homelessness and...
Dream Coming True
April 20, 2020
“I grew up in a small town and always dreamed about becoming a nurse,” says MiKayla. For a while, it seemed like everything was...
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...
Michael’s New Life
February 3, 2020
Michael was a foreman before an injury put him out of work for over two years. He joined Wisconsin Works and FSET to find...
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...
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...
Lifting Weights with W-2
October 9, 2019
When you go to AutoZone, be sure to say hi to their new Sales Associate, Rashon! He’s the guy with the friendliest smile you’ll...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Smiling Again This Spring!
March 26, 2018
Kim is in the business of smiles - and thanks to a successful job search with Wisconsin Works and FSET, she's back to sharing...
Lifeline to Lasting Success
February 26, 2018
When complications left Gabrielle unable to work during pregnancy, Wisconsin Works became a lifeline of support. Gabrielle spent the next few years at home to...
Three Brave Women
February 19, 2018
Three brave women, three wonderful successes! Hamdi, Safi, and Zhara met through a training course in Wisconsin Works. Each brought their family to safety...
A Little Energy, A Lot of Love
February 12, 2018
With a young child at home and a baby girl on the way, Samantha knew her future was going to take a lot of...
From Compassion to Career
October 30, 2017
LaToya is a soft-spoken, caring mother who always puts her family first. When she enrolled in Wisconsin Works, she was just about ready to...
Changes Worth Making
October 2, 2017
Moving from rural Wisconsin to the city of Oshkosh was a big change for Jamie, but she knew that's where her family could find...
Ashley’s Work Shines with Joy!
September 18, 2017
Ashley has the kind of quiet energy that amazes. One day, she’s just starting to volunteer at the front office, and the next, she’s...
Faster Access for Parents in Need
September 1, 2017
If your family needs help, you want it as soon as possible. The new Wisconsin Works Eligibility Call Center (W2ECC) is designed to do...
TaCiana Turns Hope into Action
August 14, 2017
"Someday, I will be a manager," says TaCiana. A few months ago, she couldn't imagine saying those words. She was just hoping life might...
Roseatta Inspires Success
July 31, 2017
“I have a fight inside me like no other,” says Roseatta. Homeless and struggling to overcome a traumatic upbringing in foster care, she can...
Family Man with a Plan
June 12, 2017
When we first met Brett, he told us a story about grocery shopping with his young son. Walking down the aisle, his son asked...
Connections that save more than your job
January 9, 2017
After finding a job through Wisconsin Works last Fall, Shaquilla did not expect to need the program any further. Over the next six months,...
The Power of Potential
November 7, 2016
Roberta made an important discovery when she joined FSET and Wisconsin Works: she found the power to unleash her potential. Within just three weeks,...
To the Future
August 15, 2016
"Enrolling in [Wisconsin Works] was the first step to our future," says Nadiesky, who fled to the United States a year ago with her...
Career Change Success
July 14, 2016
Lisa is a young mother with big plans for her future. Capable and driven, she became her family’s breadwinner while still earning her high...
Welcome to America
July 8, 2016
This year, Raeed has been discovering the things that make America great, especially the ability to create a new home for his family. When Raeed...
This is Wendy’s Year
July 7, 2016
Every strong woman has a story about the weights she had to lift from her shoulders. This year, Wendy has lifted four of life's greatest...
A Hopeful Life
June 20, 2016
Darcy’s story is one of strength rewarded and a hopeful life renewed. Before enrolling in Wisconsin Works, she was working to support herself and...
Gretchen’s Hope
June 13, 2016
Gretchen has always believed her job is to inspire hope in others. When medical issues forced Gretchen to leave her job at the WI Department...
Rooted in Success!
May 31, 2016
It takes strong roots for a plant to grow, but every gardener will tell you that sometimes it takes a little help to get...
Starting Over
May 23, 2016
When you start from scratch it is like being born again. I brought my discipline and experiences from Cuba, but starting new, starting fresh...
Stacey’s Secrets to Success
May 16, 2016
It might seem like the job you’re searching for is hiding around the corner, but the only way to find it is to keep...
Meet Lamyra
March 7, 2016
Reflecting on her journey, Lamyra said “I look at my kids and myself, and everything we’ve overcome: abuse, depression, and a lack of confidence....