After leaving an abusive relationship Ashley and her three children had been living in a homeless shelter for over a year. During this time, staff help her to enroll in a medical assisting class and find an apartment big enough for her family. She is now living more than 30 miles away from her classes and staff have provided her with transportation supports so she can complete her clinical requirements and graduate in June.
Success in Washington County
When Liz, a mother of three, enrolled in services at the Calais Opportunity Center in 2018, she struggled with substance use which impacted her family’s stability for several years. Last year, she committed to her recovery, and she has now achieved a year of sobriety. She also recently completed our Career Development, Power of Possible classes and got a part-time job at an area restaurant. She told staff that she is proud of the progress she has made, and the part-time job is part of her recovery plan. Staff have helped her with transportation and arranging childcare to help her go to work and engage in her supports.
Success in Penobscot County
When I first started with Fedcap, I was a participant; Due to unforeseen circumstances, I found myself in need of help. I had no income with just $80 dollars to my name. My first Placement Specialist was awesome! He was genuine, collaborative with me, and we agreed I would start POP. At first, I thought, “Why? I already have work experience. Why do I need to hear this all again?” And I’m thankful for being signed up for POP; it gave me the opportunity to “build my toolbox” with the necessary tools to market myself for a long-term career. When I was done, I started my job searching. When I wasn’t having any luck, it was suggested by my Placement Specialist that I should apply to Fedcap; he felt my skills and work experience would be a great asset. I told him I would think about it, but I kept on with my job searches in other areas. After a month or two of no luck with finding a job in the areas I was interested in (and a couple more suggestions to apply to Fedcap), I decided why not? I was nervous about working in a position that deals with trauma, especially since I grew up in an unstable environment that I thought was normal until I got older. Since working with Fedcap, I got assigned to a rockstar of a Career Specialist that showed me that I can utilize my past trauma and work experience to give families the tools they need to build their toolbox and help them to move forward to the life that they deserve to have; healthy, happy, and safe. I started as an Administrative Assistant last fall, and as of this month, I officially became a Career Specialist! I have never been so blessed by a company as I have Fedcap. This the best place I have ever worked in my life! I am so thankful for everyone I have met, and I am looking forward to meeting everyone as my journey continues with Fedcap.
Success in Franklin County
Summer began working with the Farmington Opportunity Center earlier this year. When she enrolled, she told staff that she was interested in law enforcement. To help her explore her interests before pursuing a degree, staff helped Summer to research different career options within law enforcement and arranged for her to have an informational interview to learn more about careers in law enforcement. Once she determined that she was ready to pursue a degree, staff assisted her with enrolling in full-time classes at Central Maine Community College studying Criminal Justice. They also helped her with applying to the Parents as Scholars (PaS) program. Last month, Summer got a job at Knowlton Corner Farm which provides her with flexibility around her school schedule and her child’s schedule.
Success in York County
When Susan enrolled in Families Forward, she had recently separated from her husband of many years and moved in with her sister with her five children. Susan was enthusiastic about working towards her goals and at once started taking courses through Fedcap Academy. She completed our Career Development program, Power of Possible (POP) while juggling the needs of her children and their schedules. Susan also started a job search and was quickly hired by a Campground as a manager so she could start her new job staff helped her with finding childcare for her youngest child.
Success in Cumberland County
Jean and Demi are the parents of a young child. They have recently arrived in Maine from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and they are living in a motel north of Portland. Jean and Demi do not speak English and it was arranged for them to meet with a multi-lingual Career Specialist from their country. The family relayed that they lacked adequate clothing, shoes, and kitchen supplies. To help the family, they were referred for ESOL classes through Portland Adult Education. Staff also contacted their community partner, Maine Needs to request the items needed. Maine Needs to supply everything requested and many extras, including toys for their child. As the family had no transportation, the staff delivered the donations to them at the motel. The family was referred for housing aid and the Mid-Coast Community Action program to provide added support.
Success in Cumberland County
Success in Oxford County
Leslie’s goal is to work in Healthcare.
When Leslie started working with staff in South Paris recently, she told them due to depression and anxiety, she rarely would leave her home and she recently moved in with her mother for support. She mentioned that she did not have a computer or experience with technology. She said she was concerned that she would not be able to help her four children with their schoolwork and she did not have the skills needed to find employment or attend any training. Staff connected Leslie with the National Digital Equity Center (NDEC) and helped her apply for a free computer. She received a desktop and worked with a tutor through NDEC to set up her computer. Leslie is now scheduled to attend NDEC’s courses online. She shared her excitement with Fedcap staff and said, “I now have the opportunity and resources available to improve my skills and I will be better prepared to help my children with their homework too.”
Success in Somerset County
Success in York County
Thomas’ goal is to work as a Barber.
Thomas recently enrolled at the Opportunity Center in Sanford after leaving what he described as a “bad work environment.” Thomas told his Career Specialist that he had been in recovery from substance use for 21 years and he knew staying in that job would not be good for him. Thomas said that he wanted to become a barber and own his own shop. He said his dream would be for his teenage daughter to graduate high school and cosmetology school to then join him and the barbershop would be their family business. Thomas said he wanted to be a good example for his daughter because he was not always there for his three older children. His Career Specialist recommended several schools for him to investigate. Two days later Thomas returned to the Sanford office to tell staff that he had been accepted to the Empire School of Barbering and his classes next month.