Octavia was a young mother going through a tough time and needed assistance to get her back on her feet. “A few months ago, I hit rock bottom and unexpectedly lost everything. I lost my home and my car broke down. Finding a job, a place to live and a car while taking care of my child alone was overwhelming,” she says. Octavia learned about CONNECT2Careers (C2C) through a friend. She immediately created an account on the C2C portal where she was connected with a Peer Job Coach. During her job search, she found jobs that interested her and added them to her “to do list.” Octavia and her job coach worked closely together over the phone and via text message, and used the C2C portal to improve her résumé and complete the applications for any jobs she was interested in. Once Octavia completed the application process she was then connected with one of the C2C job developers, who sent her résumé to the employers she wanted to work with for consideration.

Within a day she heard back from , who invited her to interview the next day. Octavia received and accepted a job offer. She now works at Partnerships with Industry as a job coach where she works directly with adults who have developmental and/or other disabilities, teaching them new job skills, encouraging professional interactions and behavior, and ultimately helping them build the confidence and experience they need to pursue their vocational aspirations.

“My experience was great,” says Octavia. “I’ve never felt such abundance of love. CONNECT2Careers not only assisted with my job search, but after hearing my story they took an extra step to find housing resources for myself and son as well. Within a month I was working and just about back on my feet. Going on two months later, I’m financially stable, have a working car and have been living in my new apartment for 3 days. I didn’t think there was a way out or a way back up. The first day I requested help, my email was flooded with assistance immediately. I’m so happy now and continuing to grow with myself, my son and my job. All things are possible if you believe. Thanks CONNECT2Careers, I’ll be back again!”

When asked about working with Octavia, C2C Program Technician Kameron Bacon has this to say:

“My most memorable experience working with C2C was serving Octavia, who has a story much like my own,” said Bacon. “She is a young mother who wanted to find a job so she could support her child. When she found C2C she was also at risk of being homeless. Our team came together and helped her find both a job and secure housing.”