Growing Together, Building our Community
SUCESS STORIES
We Make People Happy
I got laid off from my job and was having difficulty finding steady employment. I went to the Crossroads Employment Centre where they did a needs assessment and discussed the process to obtain upgrading. I applied to Confederation Collage Distance Education after a long wait I was approved. I had very tight guidelines to obtain funding but the Staff at the Employment Centre rushed my application helping me get approved and obtain all the necessary funding from Second Careers to start my course on time. I took the one year Office Administration Course through Contact North, which allowed me to attend College with out having to leave my community. I graduated on the Dean’s List and have now obtained full time Employment in my chosen career in my Community. All Made possible by the staff at the Employment Centre, Second Careers and Contact North.
Barbara Barden
Second Career has given so much, experience in online learning, opportunity for a healthy and enjoyable future. Before going to school, I worked part-time; there was no opportunity for career growth.
Everyone at Crossroads and Contact North was supportive, helpful, and kind, My learning experience was great, I was able to attend school locally and not have to leave my family. As a parent, it was the first opportunity where I did not have to choose between my children and my own learning.
I graduated in 2011 from Northern College located in South Porcupine with an Honours Social Service Worker Diploma. Currently, I work full time at the local Community Health Centre, and have been able to participate in local projects, research, and community initiatives while continuing my education and working on a degree in Native Human Services.
Dana Caines
I am a 35 year old single mom working as a bookkeeper for many years. I reached a point that I was just tired of never having money. I wanted to be able to help my daughter when the time comes to go to college, but knowing with my wage there would be no way. Two years ago I ended up on unemployment and was told about the Second Career funding. I thought “this is the time”. This is my chance to acquire skills that will provide me with a better wage. I went to the Crossroads Employment Services Centre in Ignace and worked with Roxanne Cox, Program Manager, to decide on a course path and plan. I decided on nursing because I have always wanted to be a nurse, but growing up I lacked the confidence. I applied for Second Career and was approved. The office in Kenora was very helpful in reaching a plan that provided me with funding that I can live with. I moved my daughter and me to Thunder Bay and began my path to being a nurse. It has been a very challenging path and has had its bumps in the road. Learning how to “learn” again, and developing good study habits again. Raising a daughter on my own in a city, when we are both small town girls was another challenge. I did manage to complete the first semester with a 3.8 GPA and the second semester with a 4.0 GPA. I was lucky enough to be hired by the college as a summer employee working as a Lab Assistant. It has been a lot of hard work and no play but the moment that made it all worthwhile for me was the day I got the phone call from the Dean of my school to tell me I was chosen to represent the PN students in a round table discussion with the Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper. It was the most surreal moment of my life. It was so hard to believe a bookkeeper from a small town was sitting here with the Prime Minister of Canada. It was thanks to Second Career funding and all of the great people associated with Second Career that I am able to achieve these goals and my appreciation is incredible. I am well on my way now to completing my second year and will graduate in June as a Practical Nurse.
Jennifer Morin
After having moved to Ignace Ontario due to my spouses career ; I felt as if I was unable to locate work; My training and skills I felt were no longer valuable to me, and difficult to find another job/career which would help me land a new job.
I then became aware of Second Career. They were extremely helpful, and assisted me to find a programsI best suited. They were aware of the fact that I had two children, and I felt like was not possible complete studies and pay for childcare.
Second Career assisted me with childcare, books, and tuition. I entered the Two year Early Childhood Education Program through Contact North in Ignace Ontario and graduated with honours . I was able to find a new career beginning with Northwestern Health Unit, in the Healthy Babies Healthy Children Program in Ignace. I have since relocated to join the Health Unit in Kenora Ontario.
Second Career gave me a second chance. Thanks!