Mikayla was preparing for her final year of college as a dental hygiene student with three semesters remaining when she came to GLBMW for financial assistance. Dental hygiene is a high-demand, high-wage career that can be difficult to pursue due to high out-of-pocket costs that are over and above normal tuition fees. Mikayla had already taken out large student loans to cover the costs of her schooling and was still coming up short. The tuition assistance Mikayla received through WIOA ITA funds allowed her to complete her schooling and become licensed as a dental hygienist.  

Mikayla shared the following personal thoughts about how WIOA made a difference for her. “Michigan Works helped a lot throughout my dental hygiene program. Having the support each semester was great. In my final semester, we last minute had to purchase a book ($200-$300) that we originally were not going to purchase. This news came after paying a lot of money for our board exams and everything to prepare for that. I needed help to purchase that book or else I would not have been able to graduate the following month. I emailed my career coach and by the next day someone from Michigan Works met me at the Delta bookstore and purchased the book for me. It was a huge relief.”

Mikayla has proven to be an individual who continues to persevere to reach her career goals. She is currently working at two local dental offices earning between $33-$35 dollars an hour while continuing to pursue a full-time opportunity that will also provide her with benefits.

Craig came to Michigan Works! after working as a self-employed roofer and remodeler no longer working because of unbearable back and knee pain. Already struggling with addictions and mental health problems, he was unable to fathom a new career after a life performing hard labor jobs. He describes himself as being depressed and utterly hopeless and his life unmanageable.

After five surgeries to fix his back and knee pain – and a counselor to address his mental health and substance use challenges – Craig went to Michigan Works upon his wife’s advice. Now able to see a future without pain, he was ready to focus on figuring out what to do to make money.

After being offered a temporary position as a peer support specialist, Michigan Works staff researched and found an online course at Central Michigan University for a certification as a peer support specialist – then paid for it. As Craig started to see a viable career path, he received another scholarship from GLBMW to become a certified recovery coach.

He is now working at a Crisis Residential Center as a peer support specialist and recovery coach and looks forward to helping people in the community every day.

He says: “Before I went to Michigan Works the first time, I had filed for disability thinking my life as a provider was over. Your staff helped me completely change the outcome of my life by showing compassion for a man down. I will forever be grateful to the staff of Michigan Works in Alma. The ripple effect of helping me will spread through the community far and wide. Thank you!”

Taylor applied for cash assistance from MDHHS and was referred to the PATH program. She came to GLBMW as an unemployed, single mother with solid management experience but unable to find employment in the region. In addition to PATH, she also co-enrolled as an adult in WIOA so she could take advantage of the MiCoach program to gain training as a community health worker (CHW).

While training to be a CHW, she participated in a series of interviews with Corning at the Saginaw Service Center and was ultimately hired as a department trainer. Before her employment with Corning started in December, she continued with her CHW training and earned weekly $300 stipends until she completed training and earned a certificate of completion in November. She also started full-time employment with Stone Transport in October earning $25.96 per hour. During this time, Michigan Works provided funds for auto registration, insurance and work clothing so she could maintain her employment. 

Taylor transitioned to full-time employment with Corning at the end of 2024 and looks forward to traveling to Asia this month to start training at their facility there while the Hemlock location is being built. She currently works full-time as a department trainer earning $33.17 per hour.

She says: “My story of success is something words cannot express. You helped me to shift my focus from everything that was going on with me to the opportunities around me. People like my career coach, GLBMW staff, and my true friends and family have been inspirational, influential, motivational factors that have guided me throughout my journey.”

Ian stood at a crossroads. Recently separated from the U.S. Marine Corps after years of dedicated service, he found himself facing an uncertain future. Like many veterans, Ian had spent most of his adult life in a structured environment, where every day had a clear mission. Now, as a civilian, that structure was gone, and he was left wondering what his next step would be.

Transitioning from military to civilian life is never easy, and for Ian, it was particularly challenging. The sense of camaraderie and purpose he had known while serving was difficult to replicate in the civilian world. However, one thing was certain—he wanted to continue in the transportation field, an area where he had excelled during his military career.

Unsure where to begin, Ian turned to the Mt. Pleasant
Service Center where he connected with a career coach who quickly became a crucial ally in his journey. Ian’s coach recognized that he was motivated but needed guidance to navigate the maze of civilian employment. After assessments and workshops, Ian and his coach honed in on getting a CDL-A truck driving license. 

His previous military role had given him significant transportation experience and transitioning that into a commercial driving career felt like a natural progression. But there was one major hurdle – the $4,900 tuition for the CDL-A program. Ian knew that this amount was well beyond what he could afford, and the weight of this obstacle threatened to derail his plans.

Recognizing Ian’s potential and determination, GLBMW staff assisted him in securing the necessary funding, covering the tuition and clearing the financial barrier in his path. With tuition no longer a concern, Ian could focus entirely on his training, earning his CDL-A license.

His hard work paid off when he landed a full-time position as an executive driver with Alma Tire. His new career allows him to support his family and ensures a bright future.