Chermika Jones of La Grange was in her final two semesters of her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) program at a neighboring community college when she discovered her financial aid had run out and she would not be able to cover the cost of tuition out of pocket.
Jones was receiving public assistance, but with the cost of raising a family on her own while working part-time, she was struggling to make ends meet and knew she needed help if she wanted to finish her degree.
“I was referred to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult program at Lenoir Community College. With the help from Mrs. Ika Grant, my career advisor, I was able to secure funding for my last two semesters of college,” Jones said.
The WIOA program, through the NCWorks Career Center, was established to assist adults and dislocated workers in retraining and obtaining employment and it offers a mix of employment, training, and job placement services. Participants may access individual training accounts to assist with tuition, fees, books, supplies, and accident insurance.
During her enrollment, Jones became temporarily unemployed, causing a strain on her studies. “I worked with Chermika on her study habits and would provide her extra study material,” Grant said.
In July, Jones completed the program earning her diploma as an LPN and passed her state boards a few weeks later. She now works as an LPN at Willow Creek Nursing & Rehabilitation Center making nearly double what she was while in school.
“I thought I had reached the end of my journey when I ran out of financial aid, but with the help of the WIOA program and Mrs. Ika Grant I was able to continue to reach my dream,” she said. “I was able to finish nursing school and establish my nursing career.”
Jones said she is not stopping here as her ultimate goal is to become a Registered Nurse, and she will not stop until she does. “Like I always say, I can do all thinks through Christ which strengthens me.”
For more information on the WIOA Program, contact Samara Taft, Director of WIOA Title I Programs/ NCWorks Career Center Manager, at sltaft27@lenoircc.edu or (252) 527-6223, ext. 111.
