By HEATHER DeSART

When I submitted an article several months back entitled "WIA 101," these were the stories you did not hear about. I spoke of the challenges of maneuvering money around a complex and, at times, bureaucratic system. Today we wanted to bring you a better picture of the individuals whose lives have been affected by that very money. There are human faces behind that long and winding tale of where the money comes from, and how it works its way through our community.

Here is an up-close and personal look at the people Workforce Connections is here to serve. It's you. It's somebody's daughter, son, mother, brother, sister, father and neighbor. Although we are all at the mercy of the economy and the fluctuations in the economic climate, we here at Workforce Connections want you to know that, with the help of our funded partners, there is someone out there who can help you figure out what you need and the direction that you can head in to get a fresh start.

DESERT ROSE ADULT HIGH SCHOOL

In August 2011, Rashida entered the Desert Rose High School WIA Adult Healthcare Grant Program. Determined to find employment and provide for her family of four, Rashida used her motherly motivation to illuminate her path to success. She immediately attended school at the College of Southern Nevada to become a certified nursing assistant. She had her struggles; being a single mother of four, the recent loss of her grandmother and going to school full time was difficult.

Though Rashida had challenges during her participation in the program, she persevered and maintained a positive attitude. With the financial assistance of the WIA Adult Healthcare Grant and encouraging caseworkers, she was able to overcome obstacles such as lack of day care, cost of occupational training and a need for work supplies.

Despite all of the obstacles, she achieved her goal of becoming employed as a certified nursing assistant and in the process was nominated for the Women's Opportunity Award. Rashida's success exemplifies what can be achieved with a little help and plenty of dedication.

FOUNDATION FOR AN INDEPENDENT TOMORROW

Eva was a pharmacy technician who, in 2006, was forced to leave her career after 17 years. At that time, Eva began noticing blurriness in her vision that prevented her from being able to perform the tasks of being a pharmacy tech.

Eva then worked various other jobs, including as an office assistant until November 2011. That job too, ended because Eva was having trouble with her vision.

Eva found her way to Foundation for an Independent Tomorrow and did vocational testing and research, after which she settled on caregiver as her new career choice. A compassionate and nurturing individual by nature, Eva showed the motivation to complete the training, which FIT was able to fund through a WIA grant.

After training, FIT provided additional funds for CPR certification, uniforms for work and other employment prerequisites. Eva recently found a full-time position. The employer was seeking someone who could be a caregiver and assist with various office functions. Because Eva was able to combine her new skills of care giving with her previous skills as an office assistant, she became the ideal candidate for the job.

GOODWILL

Doug worked in the construction industry for more than 10 years as a driver and general laborer. He suffered a workplace injury and was placed on disability. He came to Goodwill in September 2011 for assistance with job searching, determined to try to return to work regardless of his injury.

He enjoyed being a driver but was open to other opportunities. He did two short-term assignments while an active client but both required too much physical labor.

Doug was determined to find a position where he could get off Social Security Disability Insurance and be a productive citizen. Not only was Doug dealing with the barrier of his disability but he also has a criminal background and spotty work history.

He required assistance with his resume, interviewing, goal setting, transportation and job searching. Doug had previously been in an industry that did not require many of the skills required now to job search. Doug reviewed job searching online and in person with his case manager, and they worked together to create different resumes appropriate for the positions discovered during his job search.

Although he had some setbacks Doug never gave up on finding something that would work with his barriers. He was able to find employment on Jan. 31, 2012 as a driver for First Transit and he has been assisted with vouchers for clothing for work as well as gas cards.

GREATER NEW JERUSALEM FAMILY LIFE CENTER

Steven has lived in Las Vegas for more than 20 years and never imagined he would be unemployed for more than two years.

"I had a very difficult time taking care of my family and making ends meet. I felt discouraged with no responses from all the applications I had completed and all the resumes I sent. After so many failed attempts I felt hopeless," he said.

Steven shared his situation with a friend who referred him to Greater New Jerusalem Family Life Center.

"After meeting GNJ staff and hearing about the services and resources that were available to me I became very excited. GNJ gave me a skills assessment and assisted in the cost that allowed me to attend truck driving training. I completed training and obtained employment shortly after," Steven said.

"GNJ Family Life Center did not just assist me with finding employment. GNJ saved my life."

LATIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

Julie's life is busy - very busy. Meeting the demands of full-time work, full-time school and raising two teenage daughters on her own can be stressful. Ask Julie about her life, and she will tell you she is very happy, thrilled in fact.

"It's stressful sometimes, but I'm making it. Before the program (Healthcare Opportunities Today/Latin Chamber Foundation), I was struggling. It's not a struggle anymore," she said.

Prior to enrollment in the HOT Program, Julie was having a difficult time. As a dislocated worker, she had been unemployed and looking for work with little success.

Through the HOT Program, Julie was placed in the on-the-job training program at North Vista Hospital as a staffing coordinator/medical unit secretary earning a good salary. Because her performance was exemplary, she was promoted quickly and now works as a discharge technician for the hospital.

She is thriving in work and in life.

"I've learned a lot and have met lots of very interesting people. I feel that I can expand and grow in the medical field," Julie said.

NEVADA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION

Anna is one of many passionate health care workers who are new Nevada registered nurse graduates to join organizations such as Nathan Adelson Hospice to complete on-the-job-training programs. The Health Care 20/20 New Grad Nurses Program, funded through Workforce Connections, requires new graduates to be trained and mentored for up to three months by a preceptor prior to assuming full-time employment.

Anna decided to pursue this new career after spending four years as a stay-at-home mom to raise her daughter. During this time, she cared not only for her child, but also her mother, who has ongoing cardiac issues.

Of her experience at Nathan Adelson Hospice, the largest nonprofit hospice in Nevada, Anna feels she has been sprinkled with "pixie dust." Her preceptor, Anita Johnson, has been a great mentor and Anna believes she is right where she needs to be - providing end-of-life nursing care and helping fulfill the organization's mission that no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.  As Anna often says: her job is "a dream come true."

NEVADA PARTNERS

Nevada Partners is putting Southern Nevada's most vulnerable job seekers back to work. In January 2011, Nevada Partners enrolled Lynn in Adult Workforce Investment Act Services.

Lynn, an ex-felon and veteran, was provided free career assessment, occupational skills training, work readiness training, intensive case management and career counseling, and job placement assistance in support of his goal of becoming a solar panel installer.

Lynn was hired in April 2011 as a full-time solar thermal installer at an hourly wage of $12. Now, Lynn is employed as solar installer/electrician earning $39.99 per hour. Workforce Investment Act Services changes lives.

NYE COMMUNITIES COALITION

After being released from a three-year stay in one our state's prisons, William was introverted and uncomfortable talking to or being around people. Like most ex-felons after release, he had no driver's license, no Social Security card, no transportation, no money, a history of substance abuse and was not eligible for public assistance.

Over a period of five weeks William participated in pre-employment workshops, volunteered in NYE Communities Coalition's office for exposure to people and to practice conversational skills, and received alternate funding to address employment barriers. William secured employment within a little over 30 days after his release date.

Today, he is still successfully employed with the same employer, active in a 12-step recovery program and working towards his human service degree for substance abuse counseling at the local community college.

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY

In November 2011, Marisol, a dislocated worker who became unemployed in October 2011, came to the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority requesting assistance to gain employment in the health care field. Already nearing training completion with Northwest Health Careers as a certified medical assistant, she was in need of immediate employment.

After a very brief period of job searching she was called to interview with an urgent care facility seeking to fill the position of scheduler/checkout medical assistant. Marisol was concerned she did not have proper interview attire; she contacted her case manager for assistance and was provided with clothing for the interview.

On Nov. 14, Marisol was offered employment with the facility and with further supportive services assistance was able to begin work.

Marisol is doing so well that she has been offered a new position with yet another company, the one where she completed her externship.