News

Two ‘success stories' of Keokuk youth making their way

By Diane Vance /Gate City Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, June 5, 2008 10:58 AM CDT

A Keokuk teen left high school in her junior year, discouraged about a recent medical diagnosis.

She had moved from the high school to the alternative school at an administrator's suggestion. She still did not like school or find the support and encouragement she needed.

Krystal Hecox took a job as a telemarketer at PRC but was laid off when it closed its doors. She went to Job Corps, knowing she needed some help to find a career.

“I was totally crushed to learn I was not eligible for Job Corps because of my medical condition,” said Hecox. “They referred me to Workforce Investment.

“It's the greatest thing. I tell all my friends about it and think everyone should join.”

The Workforce Investment Act, WIA youth program, helps residents 16 to 21 years old to finish high school, continue on to college or vocational training and find a job.

Along the way, WIA can help young adults with tuition payments, buying textbooks, learn how to write a resume and learn job interview skills.

Workforce Investment has internships at job sites. Participants can be matched to a work experience with their interests and money can be provided for daycare, clothing, gas to get to classes or jobs, or transportation for those without a car.

WIA also offers cash incentives for participants earning a GED and completing other training courses.

“After enrolling at WIA, I got involved in earning my GED,” said Hecox. “I had the best time ever in GED classes. Sally Barrett is the greatest.”

Barrett teaches the GED classes.

Hecox was nervous when she first walked into the WIA offices in Room 501 at Southeastern Community College, Keokuk Campus.

“I felt shy,” she said. “Maria is an easy person to warm up to and she helped me through the forms and figuring out what to do.”

Maria Gapen is an employee training specialist, formerly called career advisors, in Keokuk's WIA office.

“I received a $250 incentive bonus for completing my GED,” said Hecox. “I also received a National Honor Society Award.

“I have seven hours of grammar certification. I've taken ‘Through the Customers' Eyes,' earning certification and a $100 bonus. I plan to take ‘Build Me, Keep Me,' which is about building a computer and we get to keep it at the end of the class.”

Students taking the building a computer class also take a certification test, said Angela Nielson, Lee County WIA recruiter.

“They can be certified A+ for computer repairs,” she said. “The course was going to be a trial class. It's so expensive, we'll probably make it only a one-time class. WIA will purchase all the computers. We can provide transportation for students to Burlington for the class.”

There's also a $100 incentive attached to “Build Me, Keep Me.”

“I'd like to take more classes,” said Hecox. “I'm interested in anything WIA offers.”

Hecox started in Workforce Investment in January.

“If I wasn't in WIA, I probably wouldn't have my GED,” she said. “I'd be hanging around at home, bored. I would not have had the experiences of meeting new people, trying new things. I'm bringing my friends into WIA.”

“Positive peer workers, such as Krystal, can lead classes on a monthly basis,” said Nielson. “Krystal's being trained for that.

“I'm going to check with Sally about Krystal coming back to the GED classes so she can explain the WIA program. It's good to have positive, strong role models. Krystal's also helped make a video.”

Hecox and Robert Brewer, another WIA participant who is now interning at the WIA Keokuk office this summer, recorded a video about the benefits of WIA.

“It's being edited now, then it will be on the WIA Web site,” said Hecox.

“Some of the clips will be used in TV and radio advertising,” said Brewer.

One benefit from the program is having more confidence.

“It's made me more confident, less quiet and shy,” she said. “And I have a more mature attitude about what I want to do. If I want to go out partying, I know I have to go home to get up in the morning to attend class or training.”

Brewer said he's seen Hecox take more responsibility and be more mature.

“My mom is absolutely thrilled that I'm in this program,” said Hecox. “Both my parents were very excited that I earned my GED.

“Hopefully, I'll get lots of experience in lots of jobs. I want to build my resume. I'd like to go to college and study chiropractic. I got high scores in science on my assessment tests.”

WIA administers assessment tests to see where participants' interests, talents and strengths lie.

WIA sets up work experiences with participating businesses. WIA youth can work a total of 500 hours in a WIA work experience with salary paid by WIA. The hours do not have to all be in the same business. Participants might want to explore various areas of interest.

“The work experience can be terminated by either party,” said Nielson.

WIA will pay for a two-year vocational education but not for associate's degrees or four years of college. There are other programs to help participants continue on to four-year colleges and earn degrees.

Joe Cass, also of Keokuk, was referred to WIA in February.

“I earned my GED, learned Microsoft Excel, Microsoft 2000 and took a class ‘Learning to Learn' that helps with how to study, what to expect in college classes,” he said. “I want to attend the ‘Build Me, Keep Me' class. I want to get certified as a computer technician. I'd like to attend college.”

Cass said if he wasn't in the WIA program, he'd still work at Hy-Vee, a job he got before WIA enrollment.

“But otherwise, I'd be sitting at home or probably out getting into trouble,” he said. “WIA has given me goals to work toward. And I've received cash bonuses for completing classes.

“I like the people I've met here. My girlfriend is going to enroll.”

Cass attended a one-day seminar “Making It” Day held in Burlington.

“I heard there would be a guest speaker but I really didn't know what it was about,” said Cass. “We learned about diversity, about the economy and living in a community. We worked on problem solving in teams.”

WIA has helped Cass learn to motivate himself to get to class instead of sleeping after working the 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. stocking shift at Hy-Vee.

“WIA has allowed me to try different things,” he said. “I have used computers before, but I didn't experiment. Now, I've tried a lot of different things on the computer.

“WIA has been flexible, it's helped me with transportation. The program is very helpful. I plan to keep going, keep learning and taking what classes and opportunities that I can.”

Call 319-313-1910 or 524-3221 ext. 1913 to learn more about the Workforce Investment Act program.