MGWIS Success Stories

MGWIS Title Graphic

Wesley Odoms

Wesley graduated from high schol in 1993 and immediately began his pursuit of the American dream of attending college, starting a family, and building a career. Ultimately, Wesley dreamed of becoming a coach and mentoring young people. Wesley's dream was on track when he applied for and was selected for employment with Dry Branch Kaolin in Twiggs County with a salary of $12.25 an hour at age 19.

Wesley found it difficult to return to school and eight years into his career, Wesley's structured world began to crack. The kaolin industry was besieged with takeovers, buyouts, layoffs and plant closings. Wesley's plant had lost more than 50 percent of its employees and was getting smaller. Wesley knew it was just a matter of time before he would be laid off and sure enough, within six months, he too was laid off. Because of the large number of people affected by the lay-off, representatives from the Georgia Department of Labor's Rapid Response Team and the Middle Georgia Consortium were dispatched to the plant to assist affected workers with unemployment claims, resume preparation and other career counseling information available through the Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This was Wesley's opportunity to return to school with WIA assistance, and Wesley took full advantage of it.

Good news! Wesley graduated from Georgia Southern University in 2006 where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Middle Grades Education. He is currently employed at Warner Robins Middle School with an annual salary of $35,000. Additionally, Wesley is certified to teach all middle grade subjects. Wesley clearly states that without the Consortium's help, he would not have been able to single mindedly focus on completing school because of the extremely high cost of books, tuition and incidental supplies. More important, "without their (Consortium's) assistance with the transportation allowance, child care assistance, and additional assistance for books, it would have been impossible to complete my program of study as quickly as I did. Thanks."

Lisa Perry

Meet Lisa R. Perry. Lisa was employed as a Human Resources Specialist at Brown & Williamson for four years prior to its merger with R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The merger of the two companies resulted in the eventual closure of the Macon facility, the transer of many employees to North Carolina and the lay-off, separation or retirement of several hundred individuals not transferred.

Lisa knew if offered, she would not accept a transfer to North Carolina because of her husband's military commitment, and because of her deep desire to continue her education and to remain in the business world in Georgia. Ultimately, Lisa's goal was to teach business education at the high school level.

According to Lisa, the day she received her layoff notice, she broke down in tears and cried like a baby. Lisa's husband wanted to know why. "You knew this day was coming and we prepared for it! Why cry now? Although I knew this day was coming, today is that day. It is final! It is all over! No more!"

Lisa began preparing before the layoff to achieve her goal of teaching high school business by enrolling in Georgia College & State University's Masters degree in January 2004. Initially she began by taking one class per semester and when she finally received her layoff notice she was able to accelerate her pace to two classes per semester with the Consortium's financial assistance of books, tuition and supplies. "This support provided me with the opportunity to concentrate on my studies and complete my degree in minimum time." Good news! Lisa completed her Masters degree in December 2006. "Without the Consortium's assistance, I would not have qualified for this career opportunity. Although I am not teaching high school business, I am teaching business education classes to adults seeking information about how to start their own business. I am a part of the public service faculty of The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center. Thanks for your help!"

Laura Goodwin

As far back as Laura can remember she always dreamed of becoming a nurse; but, because money was tight her dream seemed unattainable. Her only job to this point was working part-time in a college bookstore. In September 2005, Laura entered into Georgia College & State University's nursing program with assistance from the Middle Georgia Consortium and graduated in December 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Although Laura has realized her dream, she states most empathically that the financial and emotional support provided by the Middle Georgia Consortium played a very instrumental role in her success with graduating with a 3.88 GPA.

According to Laura, "without the Consortium's counseling and financial assistance, it would have been impossible for me to maintain my focus on my studies. You see, I was eligible and received financial assistance through the Hope scholarship and the Pell grant, but the incidentials of the nursing program -- such costs as nursing uniforms, nursing shoes, books, transportation to and from clinicals, the monthly Health and Environment Science Institute (HESI) exams, the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), and the hepatitis shots were covered by the Consortium. The Consortium even provided me the opportunity to attend the Georgia Association of Nursing Students conference." As a service to other students and especially nursing students, Laura tells them all about the Consortium and what services the Consortium provided for her.

On January 2, 2007, Laura began her career as a nurse at the Medical Center of Central Georgia making $20.00 per hour. She is presently working in the nurse residency program on 4-West, which provides her the opportunity to work in several different speciality areas to help her decide on which one she will choose as her career.

Janet M. Mimbs

In June 1999, after more than seventeen years working in Milledgeville for Forstmann & Company, Janet and Robert Mimbs were laid off due to the plant closing. To complicate matters, they had two children attending Central Georgia Technical College which added an additional financial burden due to the lack of income. Janet remembered thinking "Why me, how can this happen to me?"

Janet had always dreamed of returning to school. However, with no family income and two children enrolled in technical college, she quickly dismissed the idea. On one of her visits to the Department of Labor, a DOL representative mentioned the possibility of her returning to school and the possibility of obtaining financial assistance from the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. Althouh it had been 30 years since Janet had attended any school, she made two decisions that day - (1) to enroll in Central Georgia Technical College's computer information system program (CIS) and (2) to contact the Middle Georgia Consortium. After enrolling, Janet wondered many times if she had made the right decision. The results indicate she made the right decision because she graduated with a 4.0 GPA and an A+ certification.

Janet believes that had it not been for the Consortium it would have been very difficult to complete school. "You see, they paid for my books, tuition and supplies. I was having difficulty reading the material and they even purchased eye glasses for me. Without their assistance, I would not have been able to concentrate on academics because we had no money at that time."

Good news! Janet is now employed at the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) in Milledgeville as an Employment Services Specialist in the Re-employment Unit. Janet serves as an unpaid ambassador for the Consortium's services in the community and points to her own personal experience as an example. She received an additional certification as a certified resume writer and was placed on the state's Rapid Response Unit to assist others that may be laid-off in Middle Georgia.

Combelina Lewis

Combelina Lewis is now a Registered Nurse, able to support herself and two children. This has not always been the case.

When Combelina first came into our office she was a single mom with only a dream-a dream of becoming a Nurse. She realized this would be a long and difficult road but was ready for the challenge. Her first step was going to the Middle Georgia Consortium. She sat down with a Career Facilitator and they discussed her Career plans and worked out a budget.

With the Middle Georgia Consortium paying for her tuition, books and supplies and her strong desire to become a Nurse, she overcame many obstacles and is now self-sufficient, no longer depending on governmental assistance. She received a Degree in Nursing from Macon State College, passed the State Board for her license and is employed at Houston Medical Center.

"This was made possible by people caring enough to give her a 2nd chance" along with her determination.

Niesha Mitchell

Ms. Mitchell and her son have enjoyed the higher income she earns since she became a teacher with the help of the Middle Georgia Consortium. "But for me," she says, "It was never about the money." She always wanted to teach, but found it a struggle to support herself and her son while getting a degree. Help from the Middle Georgia Consortium was essential in her senior year.

Now she teaches science and social studies to fifth graders at Hunt Elementary School, in Fort Valley. She enjoys the fact that fifth graders are older and it is possible to do more hands-on experience with them than with younger children. In social studies too, hands-on work with time lines helps her make subjects like the Civil War come alive for the class.

She says, "I love the look on students' faces when they learn something. That happiness just shines." When a born teacher like Ms. Mitchell can leave sales clerk jobs behind and do what she loves, we all benefit: herself, the community, and most of all, her students.

Katrena Salami

As a teenager in Fort Valley, Katrena found it hard to find a job, and impossible to find one where she could meet her goal of helping the community. Then the Middle Georgia Consortium, through its Youth Work Experience Program, offered her the opportunity to become the receptionist at the Middle Georgia Community Action Agency. There Katrena did clerical work and assisted with the agency's programs, helping low-income people with energy assistance, credit counseling, and help in getting prescription drugs and commodity foods.

While there, Katrena underwent an experience that sharpened the focus of her life goals. She gave birth to her second child, who was born very prematurely, weighing only one pound. He is fine now, and she resolved to become a nurse and work with low-weight babies. She enrolled first at Middle Georgia Technical College and then at Macon State College, where her expected graduation date is in December of 2006.

In the meanwhile, her excellent work was not going unnoticed by the Community Action Agency. In 2004 they offered her a full-time job as administrative assistant at their headquarters in Warner Robins. County Developer Paige Lucas says, "Katrena is doing great. I don't know what we would do without her."

The best thing about her experience with the Middle Georgia Consortium, says Katrena, was, "the chance to learn to do meaningful work at a young age. I love being able to make a difference in people's lives, and working full-time means I can make a decent life for myself and my children."

Laverne Banks

Laverne Banks volunteered as an administrative clerk for a period of five years in various organizations. She felt that volunteering as a clerk enhanced her skills for future jobs in addition to preparing her for a permanent job.

During the last volunteer job, she worked as a receptionist and a secretary, and while performing duties on that job became aware of the services provided by the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. Laverne found out that she could get more training and continue to enhance her clerical skills, receive a salary while training, and get a permanent job.

Laverne was accepted into one of the Consortium's work experience programs and was placed with the Phoenix Center Behavior Health Services located in Warner Robins, Georgia. Shortly after beginning at the Center, a clerical position became available.

Because she had exceeded the employer's expectations for this position, Laverne applied and was selected. She stated, "I was placed on that job during a time in my life when I felt that I would never get a permanent job anywhere." She further stated, "The opportunity for training through the Middle Georgia Consortium paid off."

Laverne has since been promoted to Admissions Clerk on her job and she states"Thanks to the Behavioral Health Services and a special thanks to the Middle Georgia Consortium for giving me the opportunity to be placed in a training which ultimately led to permanent employment."

Keila Brown

Keila attended a class for Job Readiness through the office of Family and Children Services. During this preparation, she received information about job training offered by the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. and decided to enroll.

The Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. placed her at the Warner Robins Housing Authority as an Office Assistant for six months of training. Keila was an outstanding employee during the training and was hired permanently. After working in that position for a year, she was promoted to Maintenance Secretary.

Keila says, "When I was on welfare, I didn't care to do anything. Now I am just much more motivated and I want more." She feels that the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. was the catalyst for her success.

Judy Tucker

Judy Tucker, a divorced mother of three children, received public assistance for twenty-seven years before being referred to the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc. by her case worker. While enrolled in the Workforce Investment Program under the Consortium, she received the necessary training and financial support to enable her to get off of welfare. With the support she received, Judy was also able to face challenges such as transportation problems and financial obligations.

Judy became a Library Technican Trainee at the Robins Air Force Base Library where her job performance excelled. As a matter of fact, she did so well that she was told that she would become a likely candidate for permanent hire.

In June 2001, Judy became a permanent Library Technician. She feels that she owes it all to the Middle Georgia Consortium, Inc.