4702-18 Declaring March 25-31 as Farmworker Awareness Week in South Bend, Indiana

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Proteus Highlights in I ndionr Indiana Participant Changes His Future Success on the Road and at Home T After a series of events,Jesus As farmworkers,Logan and Korri knew Vasquez became a participant in that hard work and determination goes _ the National Farmworker Jobs a long way.With the assistance of the Program at Proteus,Indiana.His life National Farmworker Jobs Program, h circumstances led him to become an Proteus was able to help them reach t r emancipated minor, at the same time he their career goals and a better life.As worked as a farmworker and attended clients of NFJP,they learned new classes to complete his high school diploma.Through the skills, enhancing their opportunities Lafayette Adult Resource Academy,he found that a for better jobs and good careers. career in skilled labor would be a pathway to success for After Logan completed the Proteus him. employment and training program,he Working with Top Notch Apprenticeship Program of passed the exam to earn his commercial Indiana and assistance from Proteus,Jesus was able to driver's license for over-the-road upgrade his life and employment skills. Top Notch is an trucking. He now has a new full-time association of diverse construction employers and labor career that has more than doubled his yearly income. organizations,who partner to coordinate the interests and Korri was a stay-at-home mom,but with her children goals of the union construction industry. getting older and becoming more active in elementary Using services from Proteus,Jesus was able to develop school, she decided that it was time for her to return to the his resume,build his interview skills and participate workforce. She worked on her employment skills with in skill building before he attended a local Top Notch Proteus and was able to secure work at the post office Apprenticeship Fair.After testing at the fair,he elected in Orleans,Indiana. She really enjoys her new job and to attend the International Brotherhood of Electrical the fact that she still has time for family and friends. Workers Apprenticeship program.The program allowed Working with Proteus, Logan and Korri were Jesus to work for$18.50 per hour while he worked to earn provided with job training and job skill building; soft his associates degree for free. skills; supportive assistance such as food,gas; and The Ready to Work.Job-Driven Training and temporary child-care. American Opportunity Presidential program and the Logan and Korri are thankful to Proteus for the skills of Proteus clients,apprenticeship programs will compassion and concern they received on their journey to allow for their growth and development. The wage and a new life for their family. skills gained will allow for a positive impact in Jesus's life. Determination and Hard Work Pay Off Client Shelia Potts worked as a medical office assistant for 21 years which supported her very well. Then she lost her job and didn't know what she was going to do. For the past 18 months she had been working on a farm,helping a friend and her son driving a truck hauling grain and feeding the animals,but this work was not paying the bills. When Shelia contacted Proteus,she was desperate to get a job that would provide a good living. She was interested in going to the Truck Driving Institute to earn her commercial driver's license.After gathering information from Sheila, she was approved for the National Farmworkers Job Program. Sheila started working at TDI in November 2015,and after three weeks,completed the training and was ready to take the exam. The first time she failed the test;but she didn't give up. She tried again,passed the test and earned her CDL. Shelia wanted to further her driving qualifications so she earned her Hazmat and passenger endorsements. Knowing she wanted to work for a logistics company,Shelia drove school bus while she looked for that perfect position;and then it happened. In March 2016, Shelia obtained a position at PTG—Logistics Phone making$35 an hour.By June of 2016 Shelia had earned two promotions and now holds the title of location manager and making$75,000 a year. FundinJ proinded by the L rnited State Department of Labor tinder section 167 q1'the W orl�fone Innovation and Opportnno,Act of'2014.