Success Stories
(1) Christopher Jackson: (30) V.W.I.P has been a great opportunity for him. When he was accepted in September 07, he had barriers beyond measure. One that comes to mind was he felt that his past made him not bondable for a career path. Now, he has a sense of hope. He is now pursuing a career job @ The Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center here in Muskogee, Ok; a position with The Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame, and can do whatever he put his mind to.
(2) Charles Dean: (54) Was injured in march of 07’, a 54 year old vet who has the age barrier of how much time left in the work force. When he came in October ’07 he felt like the age barrier, disability factor, and sense of hopelessness put him in a bind. Now, through V.W.I.P. he was placed at The Muskogee Development, is assisting V.W.I.P. with the follow-up process, and with his business degree now pursuing to do whatever he imagines he can do.
(3) Christopher Jacob: (39) Mr. Jacobs was laid off from TWA (Trans World Airlines) in Kansas City, moved to Oklahoma jobless, and felt isolated from the society. He came in the program July 07 with a sense of nobody knows what he was going through. He was placed @ The Muskogee Development; where he created a computer program to enhance the ability for gathering information for future development of The City of Muskogee.
Robert Folkes is a navy veteran who entered the program in January 2010. Robert got laid off at his previous job and that is why he entered the program. He became employed in February 2010. Robert is currently working as a machinist gaining $17.00 an hour.
Joshua Eaker completed the program in March. Before entering the program Joshua had quit his job as a welder and was pursuing his own business. Since he was not employed his wife encouraged him to apply for VWIP while he was in transition. During the program Joshua became very interested in going back to school after being on East Central University’s campus and realizing that the professors were here to help the students. Joshua said that VWIP motivated him to do something he would really like to do. He wants to pursue kinesiology, possibly sports medicine, and become a teacher and maybe a coach.
Cynthia Calhoun a 48 year old disabled veteran entered VWIP to improve her ability and qualifications to become employed. She retired out of the military and has a college degree in business management.
Prior to the program she felt she had a couple of employment barriers that would render her from obtaining employment. Her goals for the program were to broaden her employment opportunities and become employed in a favorable career field making $30,000 a year, which, is what she exactly what is doing today. Cynthia is employed by ManTech International Corporation as a Data Entry clerk and is currently making $18.14 an hour, not to mention, she lives in Hawaii. That’s quite an achievement.
Robert Donnelly is a 61 year old disabled veteran who participated in VWIP to get trained, so he would be able to obtain full-time employment with a government agency making $30,000 a year. Prior to entering VWIP Robert was concerned that his age and lack of education was an employment barrier, but after obtaining quality hours from his on the job training and praise from his supervisor those employment barriers were no longer a fear. He is currently employed by the V.A. working in the Education Department as a Veteran’s Claim Examiner. He has reached his goal to work for a government agency and is currently making $38,117.00 a year.
Completing VWIP, obtaining full time employment, and eventually working for DHS, were the goals of Frank Richardson prior to his VWIP training. Frank is a 63 year old veteran with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Even though he has a degree, Frank still felt that his age was an employment barrier that would interfere with his chances of obtaining employment. Although, Frank may not have obtained a job at DHS he did, however, become employed by the V.A. as a claims examiner. He is now working 40 hours a week and obtaining $37,117.00 a year, which is more than he had set his goal to be. Being a motivated individual Frank was able to accomplish his goals, even better than he had anticipated.
