The June 2001 Achiever of the Month Award was presented to Vivian Gonzalez of Three Rivers. This single mother of three came to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for help in May 2000. Through the St. Joseph County FIA, Vivian received Family Independence Program benefits, Medicaid, food stamps and day care, four critical support programs that are essential to helping families when their own resources have been temporarily exhausted.
Vivian was referred to the Work First program, where she did everything she could to improve her employment opportunities. Her Work First provider, Employment and Training Connections helped her prepare resumes, practice interviewing and develop a variety of other employability skills. When Vivian, a native of Puerto Rico, began taking English as a Second Language classes, Employment and Training Connections also provided a translator to assist her with her lessons. In addition, they supplied supportive services that enabled her to receive a ride to and from various locations, since she did not have a car.
Vivian, who did not have a lot of work experience, was placed in Arch, Inc.’s Transitional Employment program. The program places FIP customers in jobs so they can gain additional work experience. These jobs are for a stipulated or time limited period and often result in full-time employment. It was through Arch, Inc. that Vivian got a temporary job at TH Plastics. On May 17, 2001, when her transitional employment at TH Plastics ended, she was hired by the company to work full-time. She continues to work there today as an assembly production worker. Vivian’s Family Independence Program case closed due to earnings on June 23, 2001.
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The June 2001 Achiever of the Month Award was presented to Vivian Gonzalez of Three Rivers. This single mother of three came to the Family Independence Agency (FIA) for help in May 2000. Through the St. Joseph County FIA, Vivian received Family Independence Program benefits, Medicaid, food stamps and day care, four critical support programs that are essential to helping families when their own resources have been temporarily exhausted.
