A Smile You Can Hear
January 30, 2023
Klara has the kind of grit that helps her laugh when others might cry. Today, however, her smile springs to her lips from a...
Wisconsin Tag
How to turn a refuge into a home
June 10, 2022
This February, we met 24 brave Afghan refugees. They were granted refuge in Wisconsin, but their situation was still difficult. Some of them had...
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...
Lizzie’s Journey to Self-Reliance
April 12, 2022
“I am very motivated to go to school and do something that I feel is worthwhile with my life,” says Lizzie. Even when she...
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...
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...
Laura Finds Her Path
November 29, 2021
New chapters can allow us to reinvent ourselves and see new possibilities. A chance at a new career can be incredibly rewarding, whether someone...
Breanna and River’s Success
October 11, 2021
Parents Breanna and River want what’s best for their daughter. That’s why they came to us for support finding careers that would enable them...
Jamie’s Success
October 4, 2021
Jamie was new to the Green Bay area and was looking for a job she would enjoy. She had a lot of experience in...
Izzy’s Success
September 20, 2021
Izzy came to WIOA as a high school senior who was unsure of what path to take in life after graduation. Her dream 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...
Steve’s Success
August 23, 2021
When Steven came to FSET in 2019, he had already overcome so many challenges. After achieving 5 years sobriety, he was ready to accomplish...
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...
Amanda’s Success
Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, Jobs, Success Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories
August 11, 2021
Amanda seems shy when you first meet her. However, it doesn’t take long before you can see that she is a definite people person....
Jamie’s Success
Education and Training, FoodShare Employment and Training Stories, Jobs, Other, Success Stories, Wisconsin Works Stories
August 10, 2021
Jamie came to FSC looking for some support building up her employable skills, and ultimately to help her reach her goals of working in...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Calling the Shots
August 17, 2020
Check out the uniform! Danielle joined Wisconsin Works for paid maternity leave, but when she learned that they could put her dreams within reach, she decided to stick around and even joined FSET for more....
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...
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...
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...
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...
Corisa’s Firsthand Experience
December 30, 2019
Corisa looked around. Her instructor had just asked the class to break into groups. She found a small group and started talking. That’s when...
Anyelika’s Dreams Now Possible
December 17, 2019
“I swear this girl was not letting anything stop her,” says Christa, a case manager with Wisconsin Works. She’s talking about Anyelika, the amazing...
Kate’s Pride and Joy
December 2, 2019
In July 2017, Kate was sitting in her parent’s living room, rocking her newborn baby, and thinking about her future. She had already started...
Ashley’s Reason to Smile
October 21, 2019
Positivity is a choice that Ashley makes every day. A few years ago, she went through a divorce. It left her with five children,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
A Brighter Day
March 11, 2019
Antoinette's smile has a way of making everyone's day a bit brighter. Making people happy is one of the reasons she loves working in...
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...
Robert’s Over the Moon
January 7, 2019
Robert likes working with his hands, but after a work injury put him out of commission for two years, he knew it was going...
Lesley Learns the Business
December 17, 2018
As an expecting mother, Lesley was eager to find work to support her growing family. She knew that the best way to do that...
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....
Amanda’s Silver Lining
November 12, 2018
Amanda is one of those people who can see the silver lining in just about every cloud. When her days were darkened by the...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Healing Hands
June 25, 2018
Healthcare has been Carrie’s calling ever since high school. She earned her CNA certificate while she was a teen and went on to earn...
A Change Worth Making
June 18, 2018
"I have met some really good people through this journey," says Angela. When she moved back to her home state of Wisconsin with her...
Surpassing Expectations
May 7, 2018
It was late one night after a long day’s work at the cleaning service. Five months pregnant, Ajuana was doing all she could to...
Certified Courageous
April 9, 2018
Building a strong family was all the motivation Amber needed to join Wisconsin Works. She never lets anything keep her down, even getting the...
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...
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...
2017 Annual Report
November 1, 2017
The results are in! Last year, almost 3,000 people found jobs through FSET alone. Other programs fulfilled their missions by helping customers enroll in...
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...
Patricia Rediscovers Her Path
September 25, 2017
Patricia joined Wisconsin Works and FSET hoping for a great job, but she was surprised to find it waiting in the industry she left...
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...
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...
Jenni Finds Her Hope
July 17, 2017
Jenni loved being a server, but when she fell sick, her doctor said she'd need to find a new career. Thankfully, she knew exactly where to...
Gabby Plans to Save Lives
July 10, 2017
“Being a Nursing Assistant is something important to me,” says Gabby. “It is such a rewarding feeling.” Before joining Wisconsin Works, Gabby did not...
Keeping Connected
April 10, 2017
When Myra sees a great opportunity, she jumps into it with both feet forward! After just two weeks with Wisconsin Works, she co-enrolled in FSET,...
Andrea’s Inspiration
February 27, 2017
"As a single mother, it was scary losing my job," Andrea admits. Months behind on rent, she felt like her world had been turned...
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,...
Happy Start to the Holidays
December 19, 2016
Cassandra is celebrating the holidays with a new full-time job after enrolling in Wisconsin Works! If you are looking for a career change, call 715-261-8700...
Turning a Refuge into a Home
December 12, 2016
Almost three years ago, Daphrose brought her family to safety from the war torn Congo. The U.S. offered freedom they never had before, but...
Rob’s New Direction
November 28, 2016
As a young boy, Rob dreamed of working at a news station. Fast forward twenty years, and he had earned his bachelor’s in broadcast...
Motivated for Life
November 21, 2016
“The wonderful people at FSET not only gave me some practical office work experience but the motivation to search for employment and my enthusiasm...
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,...
The Steps of Success
October 24, 2016
Enrolling in FSET straight from prison, Cashmere was determined not to go back, and to be the inspiration his family deserves. He came to us...
Molly Found Her Calling
October 3, 2016
Molly's story is one of persevering through any odds. After enrolling in Wisconsin Works, she has found her calling and is heading to college this...
Strive for Success
August 29, 2016
Sue never dreamed that working in a nursing home would be the perfect fit. After starting a Work Experience through Wisconsin Works, she discovered...
Working Together
July 15, 2016
Sierra wanted to make the best life possible for her newborn girl when she joined Wisconsin Works. Determined to get back to school and...
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...
Believing in Herself
July 8, 2016
If you're a trendy shopper, you might see Tiana at her new job at Forward 21. Confident and happy, she says that this job...
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...
Coming Together in Fond du Lac
June 30, 2016
What would you call it when you throw an event and 2,500 people show up? We’d call it a great turnout! On June 25th,...