The Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. would like to say “hats off” to our participants and projects listed below.   

So often success comes from the common moments of everyday life when we have summon up uncommon strength to keep on keepin’ on.  As Carly Simon put it, “It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.  It’s the slow and steady fire.”  So, congratulations on getting to class and getting the grades when it’s difficult to just get out of the house (or out of bed) because the kids are sick, your throat is sore, the car is as temperamental as a teenager and the mercury is in the single digits.  The best is yet to come.

Updated 10/15/2009

In May of 2009, Amanda Michel stood in front of hundreds of people at Sauk Valley Community College’s commencement ceremony and spoke about determination, hard work and volunteerism.  She had been hand-picked by the college to deliver a student address and the audience quickly learned why.

Amanda had never planned to go to college but as a single, working mother of three young children, her job didn’t pay enough to support her family.   She decided to earn a nursing degree and enrolled in college.

The college recommended that Amanda apply for the BEST Inc. program in Dixon.  She did that and was grateful to learn that the program would provide her with tuition and book assistance, mileage reimbursement and other supportive services.   Amanda was determined to be successful and to be a positive example to her children.  She volunteered for many activities at her son’s school and at the college, became President of the Single Parent Association, was a student delegate and was even chosen to represent the college at a Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. 

But the challenges of attending school, working, volunteering and raising a family alone were enormous.   Among her many challenges, Amanda was forced to step away from the nursing program for a year due to a serious illness diagnosed in one of her children.   

Amanda didn’t give up.  After six years in college, she earned her ADN degree.  She loves her new job as a nurse at a local hospital.  

SUMMER YOUTH GREEN PROJECT

Collaboration is the key to most success stories and this one is no different.  On June 5, 2009, BEST, Inc. and the Youth Service Bureau of LaSalle County entered into a partnership to help area youth.  The goal was to teach work ethics and soft skills to the youth while also teaching them skill sets for landscaping.  The project not only provided Ottawa and the surrounding area with “green” upgrades and beautification, but it also provided a “green” career exploration for the youth. 

Some of the projects included:  landscaping for cities, parks, and other public agencies, growing and caring for organic foods in a lot which was donated for the project to use and then donating the product to area food pantries, planting, mulching and general upkeep of Ottawa’s river walk, clearing trails at a city owned park and helping out with the landscaping at the Veteran’s home.

The kids had this to say about their learning experience and how that experience met their career plans:  “Learning how to work, show up on time, and also doing different experiences”, “It helps me to know what it feels like to have good work habits”, “I love my job!”, “I enjoy learning something new”, “I am going into the army and this helps with hand on work and responsibilities”. 

Seven youth participated in this program and all 7 of them increased their work readiness scores and 6 of them successfully completed the work experience.  2 individuals were hired in unsubsidized employment and two entered another work experience for the extension of the summer.  The teens also were invited to be guests at the Ottawa Noon Rotary because of all the work they did on the Riverwalk.  Success like that does not happen accidentally; it takes a good partnership and hard work for those results.

Nicholas was a Summer Youth Internship participant that has been working at Combined Cleaning & Restoration Inc since June 18 and was extended to September 30, 2009.  Combined Cleaning & Restoration Inc. is considering placing Nicholas utilizing the OJT Program to make him a regular full time employee.  Nicholas received high rankings on his training verification and the Supervisor comments are quite favorable of Nicholas and his job skills.  Comments indicate that Nicholas is excellent to work with and has learned well, he gets along with co-workers and is very cooperative.  Prior to Nicholas placement he has had a limited work history, and is eagerly awaiting full time employment.

Congratulations To All!!