Success Stories

Step Ahead To Success Participant, Ricardo Coyt, entered the Step Ahead to Success Program in 2002 in need of direction and assistance to move ahead with his life. He was enrolled in the Step Ahead to Success Program where he has been an excellent participant. He has learned pre-employment skills, completed Red Cross CPR and First Aide Certification as well as completing the Visual and Performing Arts Program. Ricardo has also obtained certificates in our Leadership and Social/Business Etiquette Workshops as well as numerous other activities and seminars. After Ricardo graduated from high school the Polk Program assisted him in entering the Auto -motive Technology Program at Ridge Technical Center. This was Ricardo's initial dream career. In October he received the Director's Quality Award and continues to earn certification at each level of occupational mastery. Ricardo is expected to complete this program in May 2004 as a Certified Automotive Technician. With Ricardo's excellent skills, motivation and professional attitude, he can continue his education and training to achieve future goals. At the present time, the Polk Farmworker Jobs and Education Program, through Step Ahead To Success, is developing a work experience position for Ricardo at the Ford Motor dealership in Haines City.

Telamon Corporation

Robert McNickles had a learning disability, but a possible football scholarship awaiting him if he could graduate from high school. With summer school and extensive tutoring Robert (after three years with Telamon) graduated High School, but with only an attendance diploma as he was still unable to pass Georgia high school graduation test. With this diploma, unable to attend any college, Telamon arranged for him to continue his tutorials with emphasis on passing the GA High School graduation test. As a result, Robert passed the test and has been accepted at East Georgia College. He will begin classes in spring of 2004.

Alfonso Jacobs is a successful summer school and extensive tutorial student. He graduated from high school and entered post-secondary education at Ogeechee Technical College, majoring in Electrical & Plumbing. He came to us failing every subject three years ago and only attending about ten days of school each quarter. Alfonso was a grade behind and in jeopardy of not being able to continue school. With extensive counseling, including referrals for professional counseling, tutoring, and summer school, he graduated high school with Honors, and then went on to post secondary education at Ogeechee Technical College, majoring in Electrical/Plumbing.

Patricia was a recent graduate of alternative high school. She was very discouraged about only being able to obtain no employment besides sorting food in warehouses when she came to see about the program. She had to work in order to support her child and to help her parents since they cannot work.

During the development of her Individual Service Plan, she expressed a career interest in the medial field. She was placed in a dental office as a receptionist. A couple weeks into the training, she inquired about a more challenging job experience, specifically a Dental Hygienist. She was then able to shadow the Dental Assistants. The doctor was so pleased with her determination and abilities he offered her a permanent position as a Dental Assistant and offered to pay for her education at a local community college. Patricia and her family are very happy.

Pablo Martinez is an 18-year-old recent graduate of Linden High School in 2002. He was enrolled in the Youth Program on March 2002. He is currently doing an internship through CHDC/San Joaquin County, CA County Sheriff’s Cadet Program. Pablo’s great aspiration and ambitions in school, as well as with the cadet program will allow him to gain experience in law enforcement and will prove to be valuable in his future. Pablo is currently enrolled in his sophomore year in college at California State University pursuing interests his Criminal Justice.

Karla Castro started volunteering at Pioneers Memorial Hospital in the accounts payable/receivable department, which led to a part-time hire. She is currently attending IVC pursuing a major in Business Administration and working part-time in the hospital.

Alejandra Hernandez worked at Super Shopping but did not complete her hours due to her leaving for college. She recently obtained a job as a Telemarketer with the Gap Corporation. Her final work evaluation she showed in her interview helped her obtain the position she sought; she will be paid more because she is bilingual. She is living at Beale Air Force Base with her brother and will be starting at ITT this December.

Jesus Hernandez was referred to the after school migrant program after an unexpected decrease in his grades. He benefited from the help and his work with the program helped increase his GPA from a 1.3 to a 2.5. This led to his completion of the programs work experience.

Norma Flores, recently highlighted in an AFOP newsletter and a workshop presenter at the recent AFOP conference, graduated from the Science Academy recognized as the 8^th of the top ten high schools in the nation. Currently, Norma is a freshman at UTPA majoring physics. She still spends her summers helping her family in the Iowa cornfields.

Santos Polenda & Dora Perez, both 15 years-old were invited by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to testify on their experience while working in the fields as part of Child Labor awareness. They also met with other representatives and the media during their time in Washington, D.C. to increase public understanding of children working in the fields of

America

A young man was a high school dropout and parent. He entered in the GED program, as a result, he will be graduating in 2004. His is participating in sports and is doing very well in the program. The programs support services (medical assistance, childcare and transportation) help to keep him in the program.

Sayra Vasquez, a 17 year-old sophomore, was not advancing in school due to her language barriers. She couldn’t read or write English and was considering dropping out and getting her GED. In speaking with Sayra and her family, it was discovered she wanted to pursue a career in heath

as either a Nurse or a Physician. SWDB came to a conclusion that enrolling her in a vocational program that could help her with her English, and also help her in attaining her GED, while simultaneously earning a trade in the heath field as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She was enrolled in JobCorps, and she is doing very well in her courses and making friends. She is pleased and the campus is just as pleased with her. A recruiter mentioned Sayra’s pleasing presence and scholastic achievements.

After her completion of JobCorps, she will be granted funding for 4 semesters at New Mexico State University where she plans to continue her goals as a Registered Nurse or a Pre-Med stud ent.

Christine is an 18-year old mother of two that lives on a farm with her domestic partner. She did not graduate from high school, however she did succeed in getting her GED. Christine enrolled in Project YES (Youth Experiencing Success) migrant and seasonal farmworker youth program with the goal of getting her driver’s license and being a self-sufficient, responsible parent. Living in a rural area outside Burlington, Vermont, Christine has little access to services and shops and no access to public transportation. Her partner spends long hours working on the farm and in his CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) course funded by the Vermont Adult Training & Employment Program. Christine has continuously had difficulty taking her children to doctor’s appointments, shopping and doing recreational things and relies on others for rides.

The migrant and seasonal farmworker youth program, Project YES, first assisted Christine in getting an eye exam, as she needed eyeglasses in order to pass the permit test. Len’s Crafters in Burlington, VT, a vendor who has supported the farmworker programs in Vermont with free glasses for over a year, donated the eyeglasses.

Christine received her permit with the support of project staff. The YES program is proud of her efforts. It’s difficult to call Christine at home now, because she is enjoying the freedom of leaving her home without relying on others.

Since Janet joined the Rural Opportunities Project YES migrant and seasonal farmworker youth program in October of 2001, she has gone beyond the bar of standards, she has successfully set and completed goals for herself and most importantly, she has helped others achieve as well. Janet has completed two work experiences; where she learned important work-related skills while at the same time helping others. The first, at Olcott ABCD Daycare center, she helped underprivileged migrant worker children catch up to their fellow classmates. The Lockport YWCA center was Janet’s second work experience where she devoted her time to guiding other disenfranchised youth along the path to a successful future. She had done such an exemplary job at the YWCA that they offered her a position.

While doing this, Janet maintained Merit-Roll grades at Barker High School, from which she graduated in 2003 with a Regents Diploma. She has also been certified in First Aid and CPR, participated actively in our Leadership Development program and Life Skills Workshops. Currently Janet is attending Niagara County Community College and maintaining her determination for success. Janet is a true success story and role model.

Jose is a husband, a father of a beautiful one-year-old boy and a farmworker. He has many responsibilities for a 19-year old man. When he came to the Adjuntas, PR office, he was confused and indecisive about what he wanted in life. After providing him orientation and enrolling him into the YES (Youth Experiencing Success) migrant and seasonal farmworker youth program, staff administered an assessment and assisted him to lay out some goals and objectives in his Individual Plan (IFDP).

Wanting to support his self outside of agriculture, but not clear on what exactly his interests were, he was placed in a Job Readiness Training and completed a work experience assignment at the office, his first experience outside farmwork. He also participated in the “Pathways to Success” 3-day activity (classroom training) in which he learned to identify what his goals are, and what he needs to do to achieve them. He came out of the CRT with the goals of going to college to learn about computer science.

After finishing the Job Readiness Training and Work Experience assignment, Jose decided to enroll in Instituto de Banca and is currently taking courses at night and working during the day time. He is a very motivated, very happy individual and comes to visit the office every time he has the opportunity.