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

Jennifer’s goal is to work as a Baker.

Jennifer recently lost her job after being injured at work. When she met with staff in South Portland, she seemed distressed and expressed concern about how she would be able to care for her daughter as a single parent. With the staff’s encouragement, Jennifer updated her resume and used Maine Job Link to search for employment. She has since interviewed with a café in her community and begins employment next month. Jennifer told staff that she is thrilled about the opportunity, which provides flexible hours, a short commute with higher wages, and better benefits than her earlier employment. Jennifer has a bachelor’s degree in French and the staff also recommended that she explore teaching ESOL part-time with an adult education provider. She is currently exploring her options and she told staff she is excited that she could use her degree, manage both positions and still care for her daughter.

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

David’s goal is to become a Barber.

When David began working with Fedcap in Skowhegan fall of 2020, he reported that his long-term career goal was to open his own barbershop. Most of his earlier employment was in restaurants and he wanted a career that better suited his family’s needs and schedule. Staff helped him with enrolling in the Aveda Institute full-time to pursue his barber license and he started working at a barbershop last June. He recently contacted staff to tell them that he was no longer receiving TANF benefits and that he was opening his own barbershop and salon.

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.

Success in Knox County

Shana’s goal is to work as a Nurse Practitioner.

Shana recently informed staff in Rockland that she received a sizeable scholarship, and she has decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing at St. Joseph’s College. She told the staff that she would never have thought school would be possible for her without their support. Staff supported her success by providing resources to help with auto repair and transportation. Shana will graduate with an associate degree in Nursing this May. She is starting her bachelor’s degree full-time this summer program. The staff is supporting her to enroll in the Parents as Scholars program.

Success in Lincoln County

Rachel’s goal is to become a Nurse.

The Fedcap Rockland staff have been working with Rachel since last fall. When she enrolled, she was homeless and in the final months of a high-risk pregnancy while working 15 hours a week as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Staff helped Rachel with stabilizing her housing situation and they discussed options for further training and education in the healthcare field. Rachel applied and was accepted to UMaine Augusta’s nursing program. She now has a new home; a healthy baby and she will graduate with her nursing degree in January 2025.