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| Maria Rodriguez |
The September 1999 Achiever of the Month Award was presented to Maria Rodriguez of St. Clair County. Maria Rodriguez is the single parent of a teenaged daughter. She came to the St. Clair County Family Independence Agency for assistance in May 1999. At the time Maria was unemployed and having difficulty providing for her mother, daughter and grandchild. Through the St. Clair County FIA she received Family Independence Program funds and Food Stamps. On May 17, 1999, Maria was referred to Work First. She was enthusiastic and very pleased to be entering the program. When she had sought to find employment on her own she discovered that her English language skills were a major barrier to obtaining employment. Maria viewed the Work First program as a good opportunity to enhance her language skills and increase her marketability.
Through the FIA Work First contractor, Ross Innovative Employment Solutions, Maria received job counseling, computer training and help with her English language skills. She was a hard worker and spent many hours creating spelling lists with definitions to teach herself the meaning of new words. Maria was determined to improve her communication skills so, she could find a good job and make a better life for her family. With the assistance of the Work First program she obtained and held down two part-time jobs while also serving as the principal caregiver for her ill mother.
On September 2, 1999, Maria received a significant award for all her efforts and hard work. On that day she was hired as a full-time employee at Air Express International Customs Brokerage. Her Family Independence Program case will be closing soon and she is well on her way to self-sufficiency.
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