From the Dixon Office –
- R started with BEST in the summer of 2022. He was very shy and unsure about work. Diamond discussed options of places he could work and he agreed to a place in his hometown. R worked through the summer in a small team and grew his confidence. After his work experience ended he applied to a local manufacturer and has worked there ever since.
- T has done many job shadows exploring potential career pathways. She has explored many things from water and soil conservation to working in a morgue. She has also completed two work experiences. Her first one was for Lee County Zoning- there she learned office work is not for her. She then did a work experience for Angelo’s where she was hired on as a permanent team member. Currently she is looking into different career pathways and how to accomplish them.
- C recently graduated high school. While in school he took an automotive class to learn more about mechanics. He then completed a work experience in the automotive industry where he learned many hard and soft skills. While in school and doing his work experience he held down another part time job. C is currently looking into becoming a full time mechanic.
- Kyle was referred to us by a local business owner who had heard about our program and thought Kyle would benefit from services. Kyle was wrapping up his junior year in high school and working at a fast food restaurant. Through the application process, BEST learned that Kyle was a junior in high school, had a reading comprehension disability and was attending Whiteside Area Career Center for Automotive Repair. He very much wanted to work a job in the automotive industry. BEST matched him up with a local auto repair business who offered Kyle an opportunity to work through our Paid Work Experience program. In addition to automotive repair, Kyle learned about professionalism when a plan had to be put in place to keep him away from his phone. He learned to better communicate when he had to talk to his supervisor and customers; he learned about quality when he had to “do it again” and he learned self-management skills when he had to manage school, two jobs, a truck that often broke down, and his social life. Kyle graduated from high school in May, continues to work and pick up other odd jobs when he can and is continuing his training for automotive repair.
- Daniel heard about the BEST program through his sister who had participated in it when she was in high school. He had applied for a job but was told he needed a High School Diploma to be employed. He was disappointed not to have been hired but realized that he needed to earn his diploma. His goal has always been to work Law Enforcement. Daniel reached out to BEST and enthusiastically said he wanted to start “TODAY”. Although we could not quite make that happen, we did get him enrolled into our Education Outreach Program as quickly as we could. However, Daniel has significant learning disabilities and initially tested at the 3rd grade level in Reading and 1st grade level in Math. A one-on-one tutor was provided for him until he was able to start preparing for GED tests. BEST helped him to attain a job as a security guard while he worked on his studies. He came to class as often as he could and worked on math problems at home. Eventually, Daniel earned a diploma ! The diploma opened other job opportunities. We are thrilled that he just started a job in Law Enforcement where he will be making $32.00/hour when he hits his 6th month anniversary.
- Andrew worked for a local business for a year and thought he’d be there for many years. However, the business was taken over by another business that did not allow individuals with a criminal background to be employed. Andrew had both misdemeanor and felony convictions and was let go from his job. Seeking a different job, he was referred to us by his neighbor. BEST learned he did not have a diploma and he agreed to start class to earn his IL HS Diploma. He did well in class but it was still difficult to find a job with his background. He was working a temporary job but wanted something more. Our job developer contacted several businesses to ask for an interview and found an employer who said she’d give him a chance. He applied for the job and was hired. He had just earned his diploma and was very excited. He became much more confident, talked often of the future and, one day, asked if we thought he could go to college. BEST’s GED Coordinator acted quickly and got him connected to the college. Andrew will start this month at Sauk and is taking a welding class that will create advancement opportunities at work. BEST is paying for the class and his required materials.
From the Sterling Office –
- Kayla first heard about the BEST program when she attended a presentation at the LPN orientation at SVCC in 2017. She was a single mother of one daughter and had just been accepted into the LPN program. Kayla was unsure if she would even be able to start the LPN program due to her lack of income and childcare costs. Best assisted Kayla with training and childcare where she successfully completed the program in 2018. Kayla did not want to stop there. She wanted to continue to the RN program where she could have a higher income for her family. During this time Kayla had some hardships and in 2019 decided she needed to focus on her family and chose to not complete the bridge program from LPN to RN.
Kayla reached out to me again in 2021 where she had been thinking about finishing her RN. By this time she had another daughter and was now a single mother of two. Kayla researched different schools and programs. She was accepted into several programs at different schools. Kayla’s first choice was Kishwaukee where she was accepted however, due to COVID and mandatory vaccinations Kayla chose not to. She was then accepted into EICC where they would work with her on a clinical location that did not have a COVID restriction. Again, Best assisted Kayla with tuition assistance, transportation, and childcare. Kayla successfully completed the RN program in June and made the Dean’s Honor List. She passed the NCLEX in July. She is now waiting for her license to begin interviewing for positions.
- In November of 2023, Caleb was referred to the BEST, Inc. office in Sterling by the 160 Driving Academy in Freeport. He had been laid off from a job in Wisconsin and contacted BEST to see if he qualified for assistance with tuition for CDL training. Our funding was on hold at the time so he had to wait a few months before he could start his training.
Caleb was determined eligible for WIOA services as a dislocated worker and was eventually able to get help from BEST, Inc. with tuition assistance and mileage reimbursement for the CDL program at 160 Academy. The training location was 15 miles from his home and he had to drive five days a week for 5 weeks to complete the training. He successfully completed the program and had a driving job lined up shortly thereafter earning more than he had in his previous job.
- An older male client, who was having difficulty getting a job, came to us and we helped him get a work experience at Foster Coach. He did a great job in his Work Experience and they will be hiring him at the end of August.
- A young man completed a Work Experience through the United Way of Whiteside County. He assisted them with the “Let’s Feed Our Children” Summer Lunch program. He discussed how much he learned about those in our community who are struggling with food insecurity and how he enjoyed helping people out. He credited the Work Experience with increasing his self-confidence.
- A young mother is completing a work experience at River Valley Floral in Savanna. She learned many new skills in the floral design field. They decided to hire her and are using the OJT program to assist with skill development.
