New Workforce Development Program helps Jackson County Residents find Employment

Jackson County resident, Sara Shuyler, had aspirational career goals, but needed help to make them a reality. She wanted to go back to school to pursue a degree in architecture but first needed to secure her GED and stable, full-time employment in order to pay for her education.
As a single mother, she had her hands full, so a new Workforce Reintegration Program through Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) stepped in to provide support and help her achieve her goals.
VOA is one of the region’s oldest not-for-profit organizations. For 129 years, the organization has worked to empower and uplift communities through a variety of human services programs, including support for individuals struggling with addiction, homelessness, veteran services, and more. Their newest service line, VOA Work, is dedicated to providing employment support across the Commonwealth.
The VOA Work’s team helped Sara with everything from developing a professional resume to obtaining her driver’s license and earning her college-level GED.
“Having someone on my team was empowering,” Sara said.
VOA Workforce Development Specialists and Career Coaches worked with Sara to navigate any barriers that she was facing in her job search. With their help, she was able to land a full-time cook position at Signature Health Care.
Now that she has a full-time job and her GED, she is continuing her momentum and applied to Arizona State University for her architecture degree.
VOA kicked off the new service line in January and provides support to individuals like Sara in 21 counties across the Commonwealth.
If you or someone you know is unemployed and is in need of assistance, visit https://www.voamid.org/services/employment-services/ to fill out a form and get in contact with VOA Work today.

About Volunteers of America:
Volunteers of America Mid-States operates 30 programs across Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia and Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana. VOA serves individuals and families overcoming substance use disorder and homelessness, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, veterans in need of housing and many other individuals and families in need. Learn more at www.voamid.org and follow @voamid on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.