Anita H. is a very optimistic and determined woman; however, this was not always the case. A survivor of domestic violence, Anita used the services of many community agencies to rebuild her life.

Leaving a violent spouse in 2005, Anita and her daughter started life again. “I needed to get out of there and make a clean start. The fastest way was to just pick up and go, with only the clothes on our back.” Anita received financial aid from the Department of Human Service (DHS) and counseling through Rainbow House.

Once Anita found housing through A Safe Place, she visited the Lake County Job Center. Anita attended an Information Session where she was told about all of the services available at the Job Center and encouraged to attend the next Fast Track Workshop.

Anita loved Fast Track. “I learned so much during that three day session. The instructor taught me about résumés and helped me write one. She also showed me how to use the Internet for my job search. I learned all about networking….I never knew anything about that before.” Anita met with her Career Specialist to discuss training options. She decided that it would be good for her to gain more skills.

At the end of 2006, Lake County Workforce Development funded Anita to180 hours of computer training. She received a certificate in Microsoft Office and Medical Coding and Billing.

Staff members from her school and other agencies gave Anita job leads. Mostly, though, Anita just went out every day “beating the bush.” After a lot of hard work, Anita was offered a Customer Service position at LTD Commodities in June 2007. Anita does not have a car (yet) so she had to ask for rides during her interview process. She was confident that if she got the job, somehow she’d get herself to and from work. Now Anita has a network of co-workers that she pays for transportation. “I’m saving up for a car, and I know I’ll get one!”

Anita loves her job and says there are many incentives that keep her on track. The main one is her 12 year-old daughter and the example Anita wants to set for her. Anita’s self esteem is at an all time high, and with each new challenge she meets at work, it continues to get higher. Her faith has continued to grow, and she openly thanks God for her blessings.

“I am so thankful to everyone at the Job Center. There is help out there for folks, they just need to get out there and take advantage of it. The Job Center is a wonderful place with lots of positive staff.”

Nicole always wanted to be a Cosmetologist. Growing up, she would carefully observe other girls' hairstyles, then would go home to experiment on her own hair. Her childhood dream, though, was pushed aside as she raised 3 children while working at various food service and retail jobs. She was familiar with the training offered through Lake County Workforce Development though and, in 2003, she decided it was time to make her dream come true.

Workforce Development funded Nicole to attend 1500 hours of cosmetology training at Daisy's Nursery in North Chicago. After 800 hours at the school, Nicole started an internship at a salon in Zion. She was thrilled with her new job. “I loved it that I didn't have to tell my children to be more. I could show them.”

Unfortunately, due to family problems, Nicole dropped out of school in June 2004 before completing her cosmetology license. “When my personal life collapsed, I didn't know how to handle it.” Nicole's Career Specialist with Workforce Development continued to communicate with and encourage her and in June 2005, she returned to school. “My Career Specialist was very good. She made sure I had what I needed to get through the program—transportation, tools. She even came to my graduation!” By November 2005, Nicole completed her training, and she received her cosmetology license from the State of Illinois in September 2006.

Nicole is now employed full-time as a Cosmetologist and is starting to build a repeat client base. As a single mom, she likes the fact that her salon is flexible about her schedule and allows her to have her children (ages 6 to 10) nearby during the summer. She especially enjoys participating in Unified for Kids, a special event providing free hair cuts to low income children.

Eventually, Nicole hopes to become a Cosmetology Instructor. “I want others to know they can take each experience and use it—whether it be negative or positive. The hardest times are the best times to push yourself.”

Maurice is someone who comes back after being knocked down. That's why his counselor with Lake County Workforce Development wasn't surprised when he stopped by in April 2007 to tell her he had just been hired full-time as a Material Handler by a company in Gurnee. He started at a salary of $16/hr. Maurice says he loves the movement and freedom he experiences in his new job. “I'm never in the same place for long. I'm always being called upon to load supplies, drive a forklift, move materials here or there.”

Maurice's energetic personality obviously suits his new job. It hasn't always been that way, though. He was on the management track at a retail store in 1998 when he quit abruptly. For several years, he worked at running his own promotions business when he wasn't involved in less desirable activities. “I got on the knucklehead side of the tracks for a few years.”

In 2003, Maurice married and decided he needed to radically change his life. Between his new wife and him, they shared 10 children (4 living at home). He wanted to give his children a better life. That's when he started to think about what he could offer to the community. For awhile, he worked for a program for teenage boys. He and his wife sponsored a block party in 2004 for the community. They also raised money for a school graduation picnic. “We want to show children in our community that we appreciate that they put forward the effort to graduate. They need to be rewarded for their hard work.”

Unfortunately, Maurice found that the field of social service didn't pay the bills for his large family. He decided he needed to find a higher paying job. In January 2005, he attended Fast Track — a three-day workshop at the Job Center of Lake County. There he analyzed his skills and the labor market and decided that the warehouse or production fields might suit his needs. He started using the resource room to contact employers via email, fax and phone. Because his computer skills weren't up-to-date, Lake County Workforce Development paid for him to attend intensive software training at Manpower. After completing 80 hours of training, he was placed at a local company working as an Assembler and Forklift Operator. He soon proved himself a leader and was selected to train other personnel. He hoped the position might develop into a permanent one. Instead, though, he was laid off in January 2007.

Looking for work again, Maurice was discouraged and angry, but he knew where to go for help. Yet again, he began using the resource room at the Job Center to look for work. “One of the things I learned at the Job Center was to ask other people about opportunities. I would ask everyone about where they worked and whether their company was hiring.” In April, his networking paid off. Another customer of the Job Center told him about a company in Gurnee that was hiring.

Maurice interviewed twice at the company. He told them up front that he was an ex-offender. He told them about his contributions to the community and his dreams for his children. The interviewer told Maurice he appreciated his honesty and offered him a job. “I pulled out every stop for that job. I dressed up even though it was for a warehouse position. I looked them in the eye and asked for a chance. I told them I was going to stick around. I wasn't just looking for a fast paycheck. I think that impressed them.”

Maurice believes the secret to a successful job-search is thoroughness. “You have to follow all the steps: prepare a resume, develop a relationship with local agencies, practice interviewing.” He also recommends that jobseekers stay active. “Don't get tired of going to interviews and answering the same question over and over. Be prepared wherever you go. You never know when you'll meet the right person.”

Yvette Green had over 10 years experience as a supervisor in the production field when she walked into the Job Center of Lake County in April 2006. She had just been laid off from her most recent job, and she was ready for a change. She wanted a stable job that would allow her to support her 11-year-old son.

Yvette began talking with other people about their careers and learned that a CDL license might be her ticket to a new job. A friend worked for a garbage disposal company and spoke highly of driving careers for women. “I actually wanted to be a driver since I was 16, but I was always discouraged because it wasn't a girly job.”

Yvette attended an information session and requested help from Lake County Workforce Development. She attended a 3-day workshop called Fast Track where she researched the labor market and developed an employment plan. Workforce Development then funded her to attend comprehensive, truck-driver training course. She completed safety testing, performed pre-trip inspections and practiced driving a 53' tractor trailer. She says that backing the truck was the greatest challenge.

Yvette received her CDL-A license from the Department of Transportation in October 2006. She immediately began researching jobs on the Internet. “I would have liked a short-haul job but found most positions in the area required professional experience. I knew I had to get that experience somehow, so I started to look at long-haul companies.”

She researched and compared companies. Finally she found one that fit her goals. “As a long-haul trucker, I knew I would have to leave my son with a family member during the school year. I wanted to be able to take him with me on long trips during the summer, though. I found a company with a “family ride” program that fit my needs.”

Yvette began as a trucking apprentice in January 2007. She drove with a mentor for the first 60 days of employment. While on work assignments, she can be away from home from 1 to 6 weeks. This summer she was able to have her son (now age 12) with her on driving assignments. Together, they have visited Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Ohio, North Dakota and other states. “This isn't a traditional job, but I like it because I'm pretty much my own boss.”

What advice does Yvette have for other jobseekers?  “Thoroughly research careers and training institutions. Don't just go to a school because it's convenient. You need to be ready to take on anything. Don't give up when you face problems.”

Charles is 60+ years old but you'd never guess it when talking to this energetic Vietnam Veteran. When he stopped in the Job Center of Lake County in spring 2007, he made it clear that he wasn't thinking about retirement. He wanted to work. “I've worked all over the world, mostly in electronics. I worked on the Hubble Telescope. I worked on construction of B-2 Bombers. When I'm working someplace that's interesting, the days just fly by.”

Charles had just completed a job as an inventory contractor for retail stores when he decided to stop by the Job Center. He had previously seen the Center in Waukegan when getting on a train to work. “I told myself then that if I'm ever looking for work, I had to come back here. I like the fact that lots of job search and educational services are in one condensed area.”

Charles became a regular visitor at the Job Center. He used the resource room computers for job search. He met with an IDES Veteran's Representative. He made an appointment to complete a résumé with a staff person from Lake County Workforce Development. In June, he learned from two sources that Kelly Services was placing people at Baxter Laboratories; another jobseeker in the resource room told him about the opening and he noticed the same job listing on Illinois Skills Match.

Charles interviewed and was hired as a Technician, refurbishing pumps for dialysis patients. He earns $15/ hr. He stopped back at the Job Center to thank the staff members here. “God got me the job, but the résumé got me the interview.”

Charles thanks the Job Center staff for giving him an edge in a competitive market. “In the ‘80s and ‘90s, I could get a job anywhere. I've got great experience; now that I'm an old guy, though, it's been harder to find work. The Job Center definitely helped me out.”