Youth Realizes Not Taking School Seriously Can Come Back To Haunt You
Macie Worth completed the Jobs for Michigan Graduates (JMG) program in the spring of 2015. She was assisted with a work placement at McDonald’s through WIA, but then lost the job the following summer. This past summer she had been working at Big Boy Restaurant, when she contacted WIOA Career Coach’s Bryan Robarge and AJ Stibitz about getting assistance finding employment again through WIOA.
Macie had been living with grandparents since her one living parent resides across the country. She basically was supporting herself, and is currently pregnant. Her Career Coaches both saw some maturity and growth in her since she started on WIA/JMG. Knowing that the owner of REMAX was looking for a student for their front office since their current employee (who was also placed through our program) would be leaving for college by the end of August, Bryan thought of Macie.
Macie was hired at REMAX New Horizons with funding through WIOA Paid Work Experience, and she will get hired on through them when her hours with WIOA are completed. Her supervisors report being very happy with her performance on the job and Macie loves working at REMAX, and says that it is “much better than working in fast food”.
Macie has been assisted with ongoing case management/mentoring, and WIOA has provided her with two work placements, along with support for work clothing and transportation on an ongoing basis. Thanks to this support, Macie has been able to catch up on credits, she successfully completed JMG, and has been gaining work skills over the past two years. In addition, Macie learned the importance of keeping good attendance at both work and school (she lost her job at McDonald’s due to an attendance issue). She also realizes now how “not taking school seriously” can come back to haunt you.
REMAX New Horizons is one of the leading real estate offices in Northeastern Michigan. The WIOA program has worked with this office for over 7 years, and this is one of the best businesses that they have found for working with our students to help them with the necessary tools needed to be successful as they enter the working world.
UPDATE: Since she had her baby in December, Macie is no longer working at REMAX, but she continues working with her Career Coach and is now pursuing her GED and taking night classes at ACES Academy.