MISSION EMPLOYMENT PUTS AT-RISK YOUTH ON SUCCESSFUL CAREER PATHS
Shanae had difficulty finding a job after completing two years at Nassau Community College and being a single parent to a two-year-old girl. She and her daughter live with her parents, who have helped support them. While Shanae is grateful for their help, she wanted to give her child a stable and comfortable future.
Shanae visited the Hempstead Works Career Center, which transferred her to our Mission Employment program. An opening arose for a 10-week intensive labor and construction program. Shanae was the only woman out of the 20 participants. During the program, her group visited local unions to learn about the various trades she could choose from for a career. The program was strict. Participants could not be late and had to pay special attention when dealing with hazardous materials. She learned to split telephone wires, carpentry, plumbing, and even went down a manhole to work in a sewer. Shanae put her new talents to work at home, too, and made a wooden stool for her daughter.
Shanae pulled through the difficulties she faced and emerged with new opportunities for a financially secure life.
“With the unions we have pensions, retirement funds, and vacations. So you can be secure in your future and perhaps build a house, buy a car, and have life insurance,” said Shanae. “You can have things that are like the American Dream. So you can live in New York and not have to struggle.”
Apart from her labor and construction training, Shanae also received help from additional resources we offer. She took advantage of free workshops on financial security and sexual education, where she learned how to build her financials and properly use birth control. She also benefited from our Career Boutique – a place where our clients can pick out professional clothing for interviews and work at no cost.
Shanae completed the program, is now employed, and continues to work toward her goal of a better life for her and her daughter.
“EAC Network is a blessing for me and my daughter,” said Shanae. “I can do it all now.”
To learn more about Mission Employment, click here.
*In order to protect our client’s identity, we have used the above image as a substitute.
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Cassandra Huneke was the Development & Marketing Specialist at EAC Network. She graduated from Stony Brook University with a B.A. in English and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Media Studies at The New School University in New York City.
