EARN Program Nominee Selected for Governor’s Award

An Allegheny EARN program nominee was chosen to receive this year’s Governor’s Achievement Awards. The awards were presented at the 2022 Annual Conference hosted by PA Workforce Development Association (PWDA), in early May 2022.

Temple Carter

Nominated by Partner4Work; EARN/WR

Temple Carter started the program as a 20-year-old, single mother to a daughter. Her child’s father had just passed away and she had to apply for public assistance as a stepping-stone to help her become self-sufficient. She was very driven and her goals were to obtain additional schooling and secure employment. She also wanted to work on getting her driver’s license and securing housing in a better neighborhood for her family.

Ms. Temple joined and completed EDSI’s Customer Service Training a month into the program. One month after completion of her credential, Ms. Temple started a job making $9 per hour and she stayed there for 3 months, until starting Pittsburgh Career Institute to become a Respiratory Therapist. During this time, she also moved into a safer and closer neighborhood.

Ms. Temple completed the program and her internship within a year, most of it during the COVID-19 Pandemic. She earned an Associate degree in Respiratory Therapy and obtained employment with UPMC as a Respiratory Therapist making an hourly wage of $20.95. During the retention part of the EARN program she was able to obtain her driver’s permit, license, and eventually purchase her own vehicle.

Ms. Temple continued to stay in touch with the Allegheny EARN program, informing the team of the position she started with Allegheny General Hospital making $25 an hour as a Pulmonary Function Technician. She also shared her plans to continue her education in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in data analytics. Ms. Temple said the program helped her stay organized enough to reach her goals. She enjoyed the Customer Service Training and the staff that she worked with throughout the program who stayed on top of her, caring about her needs and encouraging her.

The Department of Human Services recognizes Temple Carter for her resolve and congratulates her for obtaining financial independence for her family through employment.