One was facing drug charges. Another was escaping an abusive marriage. Still another was an out-of-work single mother.
Now, they're success stories.On Friday, the Department of Workforce Services celebrated the success of six such women who graduated from an intensive workshop series offered by the department.
"Without their dedication and compassion, I may have ended up on the street with two kids and nowhere to turn," said Kelly Brereton, praising the workshop's educators and employment counselors.
Job seekers undergo assessments and are taught how to search for jobs, manage work and their home life and keep their new-found job. They're also taught assertive communications, anger management and how to say "no."
At the urging of the business community and the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, the department began retooling its pre-employment assistance to help job seekers not only find work but give them skills to help keep the job. Graduates said the most important component of the training is that it helps job seekers to believe in themselves.
"I just didn't seem to be getting anywhere with my job search, and (I) felt very used up and worthless," said Brereton, a single mother.
She sought help from Workforce Services although "they did not seem to help in my earlier attempts to find a job, so I really didn't think they would be helpful.
"I was wrong."
Brereton completed the department's work experience and training program, known as WEAT.
During her last month of training, she interviewed for an opening at the state Division of Purchasing and landed the job.
Other women honored Friday were Debbie Bird, employed by Nicholas & Company; LeeAnn King, who works at West High School; Anita Neal, Utah Legal Services; Meleane Halaufia, now employed by CP Industries and who will begin an apprenticeship in carpentry in May and Jennifer Hohenberger, Utah State Court of Appeals.
According to the Department of Workforce Services, the graduates represent a national trend in the reduction of public assistance caseloads as prescribed by federal and state welfare reform legislation.