Malana's Workforce Journey - Writing a Strong Second Chapter

When it comes to setting individuals up for long-term success, Auberle is there from start to finish.

Due to previous involvement with the justice system, Malana M., a single mother to a toddler, frequently experienced difficulty securing stable, yet flexible, employment that supported her family financially. After receiving a referral from her Auberle 412 Youth Zone Case Manager, Malana enrolled in the Auberle Employment Institute  STRIVE Progam to better her chances of securing valuable work. Once STRIVE entered Malana's life, things began to quickly change for the better.

With the help of the STRIVE initiative,  Malana completed Auberle's Employment Institute’s Training Program, earning her a certification in customer service as well as CPR/First Aid. This program, designed in-partnership with Pressley Ridge, taught Malana the necessary soft and hard skills she needed to obtain meaningful employment in a variety of industries. Malana did not have to look far for a full-time role however, as shortly after she completed the program, she was hired within Pressley Ridge itself as a Teaching Assistant!

Through the Employment Institute and her STRIVE case managers, Malana was able to also obtain her Driver’s License, and receive food boxes and gas cards to help with transportation until she received her first few paychecks. Not only has Malana maintained her employment at Pressley Ridge for six months, but she is now serving clients whose lives are also impacted by dual system involvement, much like her own.

Congrats to Malana on this new chapter! Through her hard work and commitment, she now is able to use her talent and skillset to support the lives of other people in the community. Her example proves that when second chances are available, people can positively reshape the local workforce.