Dani started at the Sanford Opportunity Center in late 2019 and has faced several obstacles related to childcare. Both of her children experienced serious mental health concerns, which made it difficult for Dani to attend her scheduled workshops and focus on her job search. When her children were having challenges, Dani kept in touch with the staff, and she was granted Dani Good Cause to help manage her children's needs. Dani told the team, "I don't feel like I will ever be able to get a job, not with the way things are now." Through a hiring event, she was hired to work at the US Census Bureau. Dani describes it as the perfect job for her at this time because she has not worked in many years and it would allow her the flexibility; she needs to take care of her children and set her own schedule.

Denise moved to Maine from the Midwest in late 2019 to escape a domestic violence situation. When she arrived for her initial orientation at the South Portland Opportunity Center, she told the staff that she was nervous about building a new life. Staff assisted Denise with resources for domestic violence and helped her connect with a counselor. In February, Denise got a job at Maine Health but lost the job after a month because her child could no longer attend daycare. Fedcap staff then referred Denise to a virtual career fair through JobsInME. They also recommended that she investigate UNUM for potential careers since she had customer service experience. Denise applied for a job at UNUM, and she recently reported that she was offered a job.

Liz is part of a two-parent household that has been on TANF for 56 months. In the past, she had cashiering jobs but expressed to staff that she was always interested in caring for people. Staff at the South Paris Opportunity Center were able to help her enroll in a Certified Medical Residential Aide (CMRA) program through Region 9 Adult 8 Education in March and for her to participate remotely during COVID-19. Liz reported that her partner helped her study by making flashcards and quizzing her. She successfully completed the course at the end of April. During this time, she also applied for a housekeeping position at Rumford Hospital and informed them that she was taking the CRMA course. She was hired at the hospital in the housekeeping department but hopes that now that she has her CRMA that she will soon transition to a CRMA position.

Mary is married and has two school-aged children. She attended orientation at the Lewiston Opportunity in late fall 2019. During intake, she reported working at Big Lots part-time and indicated that she wanted to volunteer and participate in other job readiness activities. Mary did not follow through with any activities and returned to Fedcap in early 2020. She reported that she had lost her job, and both she and her husband were now receiving recovery and treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). The family then fell out of contact with the staff for another month. Mary then returned on her own and reported death in her family and that her husband had been hospitalized. At that time, Mary started to engage in job search activities and received assistance with transportation, auto insurance, and interview clothing. Her husband was also released from the hospital. Mary interviewed for a position as a Billing Specialist and was hired. She started her new job mid-April working fulltime, making $18.00 per hour with full benefits. Staff contacted Mary recently who expressed that she was thrilled with her new job and that she was “amazed” to get a job during the pandemic.

The mother of a young child, Jordan, began with Fedcap in Rockland in 2017. From the beginning, she had challenges with following through on any activities and recently confided to staff that she has been struggling with mental health issues. When asked about future goals, she said she had been accepted to the Aveda Institute of Maine for cosmetology but did not enroll. Staff recommended that she work with her behavioral health provider and they would help her with supports to go to school. After that, Jordan started coming into the Fedcap office regularly and assisting with clerical work, organizing the clothing closet, and helping other participants in the network center. Staff quickly noticed a change in her appearance as she stopped wearing sweatpants and began dressing for success. She told the staff that she had a new plan for managing her mental health issues and she was scheduled to start school at the beginning of April. When the COVID-19 shutdown started, Jordan’s plans for attending school were uncertain and she told staff that she was worried that it would be delayed. Fortunately, she received a new start date for April 27th and that her initial classes would all be completed remotely. Staff checked in with Jordan after her first week and she told them she was “loving it.”

In Ellsworth, staff recently helped Danielle with setting up her Zoom account so she could have “face-to-face” sessions with her mental health counselor. Staff also taught her Zoom basics such as scheduling and starting a meeting and how to share her screen. Danielle reported to staff that she was so “happy” to learn how to use Zoom so she could communicate with her counselor and others in her life without needing to leave her home during COVID-19. They also discussed how using technology will help her in the future with job opportunities. Program-wide, Fedcap has been advocating for all participants to learn Zoom technology as it is becoming a standard manner of communication in both academic and professional environments.

Tory came to the Fedcap Opportunity Center in Machias after losing her job in the foodservice industry. Her work was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and she found herself homeschooling her child and caring for her partner’s special needs child. During her intake, she shared with staff that she was overwhelmed and that adding workshops, technology, and phone meetings to her new role at home was the source of much stress for her. Tory initially resisted attending classes, but with encouragement from staff and understanding of her daily schedule and demands, she eventually logged on to her first PoP class, where she saw that all the other parents in her virtual classroom shared similar daily struggles. After a few classes, staff contacted Tory and it was immediately noticed that her whole attitude toward participation had changed. She told the staff that she was now looking forward to her classes. She inquired about more workshops and stated that she wanted to do all that was required as she moves towards her post COVID-19 career goals.

Jaime arrived at the Calais Fedcap office for orientation fall of 2019. Jaime was a victim of domestic abuse and was previously living out of state with the father of her child. She told the staff that it was in her best interest to move back to Maine, where she had family, but she needed TANF to help her get back on her feet. She enrolled in Power of Possible (Pop) job readiness classes and found herself a job at Helen’s in Machias. Though she enjoyed 6 her job, Jaime expressed that she wanted more long-term employment in a field with a career path. Fedcap told Jaime about a job opportunity with Wabanaki Health and Wellness, and she applied for the job. Before the interview, the staff assisted Jaime with practicing her interview skills. Jaime then interviewed and was offered the position with Wabanaki Health and Wellness. Jaime is now making $22.00 per hour, 40 hours per week with full benefits. Jaime is also enrolled in college for the fall, majoring in Psychology at the University of Maine at Machias.

Constance was referred to Brewer Opportunity Center in 2019 as part of a two-parent household. At that time, her family had been on TANF for 57 months. Constance was motivated to complete her degree in Nursing, and she worked with Brewer staff to create a plan that would enable her to finish her degree and allow her spouse to stay home and care for their children. Constance was helped with transportation, auto insurance, and auto repair. Constance also worked with staff to request an extension of her TANF benefits while she completed her degree. In month 70 of her TANF benefits, Constance graduated with her degree in Nursing from Beal College. She recently reported that she passed her licensing tests and received a job offer from Northern Light Hospital. She will soon start working full-time and making more than $30.00 per hour. Constance has reported that she is thrilled about a new career in healthcare.

Charles first came to the Calais Opportunity Center in 2017 but he struggled for almost two years with participating in any activities due to a substance use disorder.  Last year, he started medication-assisted treatment for his substance use disorder and his attendance began to steadily improve and he completed job readiness activities and updated his resume.  Calais staff then arranged for Charles to start a volunteer position with an area thrift store to help him build confidence and adjust to work expectations.  He quickly proved himself as an asset at his volunteer site and feedback from his supervisor had the following feedback on Charles:    “He does all that is asked of him with a smile on his face. He works well with other volunteers and patrons who say all good things about him.”  In January 2020, Charles reported to Calais staff that he was hired for a maintenance job working approximately 32 hours a week, making $16.00 an hour. He also told staff that he had spoken to the manager of a Wastewater Treatment facility who told Charles that he would be retiring in a few years.  He suggested to Charles that he take some classes on wastewater treatment so he would be ready to apply for the manager’s position when it becomes available.  Charles told the staff that it would be his dream job as he had previous work in wastewater treatment.  Staff is going to assist him with getting the training he needs to prepare him for that future opportunity. 

John and Eliza with their children moved to Northern Maine last fall from another New England state due to financial challenges.  When they arrived in Maine, they applied to TANF to assist with getting established and they were referred to the Caribou Opportunity Center.  Since starting with Fedcap John and Eliza have received assistance with getting their own vehicle, completed job readiness classes and developing their career goals.  Eliza had previous experience working in a nursing facility and wanted to return to the medical field.  To help her get started, staff arranged for her to complete a volunteer experience at a local nursing facility and they quickly hired her as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA).  John also started a course to be an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) but started to fall behind in his studies.  He reached out to Fedcap staff for help and it was arranged for him to be tutored each week by a Fedcap staff member who is an EMT.    John told the staff that even though the class is hard, requires a lot of work, it is his long-term goal to save lives and to provide for his family and community.

Rachelanne is a single parent with one school-age child.  She had attended orientation with Fedcap in 2017 but did not participate at that time.  Her case reopened last fall and after resolving some housing issues, she started to participate in activities including completing job readiness classes and volunteering at the Lewiston Opportunity Center performing administrative duties.  In January, she attended an onsite hiring event and met with representatives from TD Bank.  Not long after the hiring event, Rachelanne reported that she had been hired full-time at TD Bank making $16.00 an hour.  Before she started her new job, Rachelanne sent Lewiston staff an email with the following:    “I just wanted to say thank you to the staff at Fedcap.  After being here in Maine for 10 years and in the healthcare field for over 25 years, I ended up watching my patient die and losing my car and ultimately my job.  I ended up having to be on TANF and coming to Fedcap.  After a lot of soul searching and time and patience from the staff here, I am proud to say, I’ve made some very big changes.  I will be starting a new career at TD Bank on Tuesday!  Although I love the healthcare field it has taken a toll on me emotionally and physically.  And with the help of the staff here I will be on to bigger and better things.  I couldn’t be more grateful to the staff here for their support, time and understanding!!!  Thank you all again, this momma’s moving up!!!!!!”