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From Layoff to Leveling Up: Building the Path to a Lifelong Career | National Able
Heather Norrell was employed at Tyson Foods in Perry, Iowa in the general maintenance department where she worked on many of the machines throughout the organization. “All my previous jobs before this were in fast food or in gas stations, so this was a big change for me,” she says.…
Passion & Perseverance Lead to New Career in IT! | National Able
Drew Baxter found his passion for Information Technology at the very start of the pandemic in 2020. While working in administration at a local high school, he saw a need for expertise in IT when all operations switched to remote work. Drew worked with his supervisor at the time to…
Closing Out the Year: Headwinds and Opportunities | National Able
November marks the midway point of the fourth quarter of the year, and as such, means that another year of workforce headwinds and opportunities is almost at a close. It is still too early to do a look at the year in review, but it’s not too early to begin…
STAY THE COURSE FOR A CAREER (AND CONFIDENCE!) | National Able
Joyce Ilumin graduated with an engineering degree in the Philippines. Shortly after graduation, she married and moved to the Chicagoland area where she welcomed two children. Joyce became a stay-at-home mom until her life circumstances abruptly changed. She decided to pursue education in a new industry to begin a career.…
How We Are Able To Stay Innovative | National Able
Most of Able’s funding comes from the federal government in programs such as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) or the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP). Because these programs were created by acts of Congress, they often come with specific activities and guidelines that need to be…
Embracing My Roots: Mi Viaje de Resiliencia y Orgullo as a Biracial Latino for Hispanic Heritage Month | National Able
As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, I find myself reflecting on the unique, beautiful, and complex journey that has shaped who I am today. My story, like many, is one of resilience, pride, and the power of identity. I am biracial—my mother, a certified public accountant from Panama, and my father,…
The Power of Persistence & Positive Thinking | National Able
Nelson Gonzalez traveled from Margarita, Venezuela through Peru to get to Mexico in hopes of entering the United States. “It’s the journey all immigrants are making right now,” said Nelson. Upon entering the United States it took about 5 months for Nelson to receive all his authorized documentation including his…
REFLECTING ON THE VALUE SENIORS ADD TO THE WORKFORCE | National Able
Ivory Snow, Chief Administrative Officer at St. Leonard’s Ministry had her first interaction with a Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) Participant about five years ago. “I was an HR Director at the time and had just entered our wellness center when I was greeted by a gentlemen at the…
Willie Butler’s Rise to Success: From SCSEP Program Aide to Unsubsidized Employment! | National Able
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides older workers with valuable opportunities to gain skills through paid, on-the-job training. As we celebrate National Employ Older Workers Week (NEOWW), we recognize the inspiring journeys of participants like Willie Butler, whose dedication and hard work have paved the way for new…
Cynthia’s Journey: From Challenge to Career Success with SCSEP! | National Able
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) empowers older workers with the skills and resources they need to overcome obstacles and re-enter the workforce successfully. As we celebrate National Employ Older Workers Week (NEOWW), we shine a light on stories of resilience and personal growth, like Cynthia’s. Not long ago,…
Lillian Egbo’s Journey: From Reception Desk to Medical Office - A National Employ Older Workers Week Success! | National Able
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) supports older workers by providing paid, on-the-job training that helps them gain the skills and experience needed to re-enter the workforce. National Employ Older Workers Week (NEOWW) is a time to celebrate the achievements of older workers like Lillian Egbo, who have found…
Alma’s Journey: From Seeking Support to Success – Thanks to SCSEP! | National Able
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) allows older workers to gain new skills and secure employment. As we celebrate National Employ Older Workers Week (NEOWW), we honor participants like Alma, who have achieved success with the support of SCSEP. Alma came into the SCSEP program in August 2022 as…
Cyndi Commiso's Story: Celebrating Success during National Employ Older Workers | National Able
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is the nation’s only workforce development program designed to help older workers gain the skills they need to re-enter the workforce. It offers participants paid, on-the-job training, allowing them to build confidence and expertise. During this year’s National Employ Older Workers Week (NEOWW),…
Finding the Path to a Dream Career in IT | National Able
Three years ago, Daniela William migrated to Chicago from Israel. She says, “I came on a trip with my mom, and I thought ‘It’s a gorgeous city. I love Chicago. So now I’m going to stay here!’” Her education and career experience in Israel focused on industrial management engineering and…
Destinos & Empowerment: The Universal Language of Employment | National Able
The American Job Center in Pilsen receives thousands of visitors seeking to pursue all kinds of career support – from filing to receive unemployment benefits to applying for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program to interview preparation with career coaches. The influx of visitors means that the maintenance…
Digital Equity: The Next Frontier | National Able
If you are reading this article, the odds are you’re reading it on the computer. To do that, you either need to own a computer or go to a shared computer space, like a library. And those computers need to be connected to the Internet. Of course, this is fairly…
South Side Spotlight: A Journey to Success! | National Able
National Able Network has served the South Side community since the 1970s. Thousands of job seekers have received all kinds of employment and career services from training assistance to interview preparation. As the 50th year of service is right around corner, Niasa Hollins-Watson, Program Manager, brings us on a journey…
FINDING THE PATH FORWARD TO A BRIGHT FUTURE | National Able
FROM TEACHING TO TECH: THE JOURNEY TO A NEW CAREER Valeria Martinez graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in environmental studies. She dreamed of a career in Environmental Sustainability or Natural Resource Management. Unfortunately, finding a career in those industries within the hustle and bustle of Chicago – or…
American Manufacturing is Stronger Than Ever. But What About Workers? | National Able
When you think of American manufacturing, what do you picture? Most people probably visualize a Rust Belt city on the shores of Lake Erie, smokestacks and the smell of slag filling the air, and a hollowed-out town in the distance. This stereotype exists for a reason, of course. As American…
Transforming Passion into Profession: An IT Success Story | National Able
Raised in the historically industrial town of Franklin Park, Jonathan Sutter began preparing for a career in manufacturing while still in high school. Upon graduation, there weren’t many jobs in the industry. So, Jonthan quickly pivoted and entered the trade industry where he pursued a career in carpentry. Although he…
WIOA Still Helps People Get Jobs. Here’s How. | National Able
A recent article in The Atlantic takes aim at the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and makes the case that WIOA training is ineffective and places workers into dead-end jobs. In “The Problem with In-Demand Jobs,” author Kevin Carey writes: Even in the 1990s, at the peak of free-trade…
Supermom Finds confidence & Life-Changing Opportunities at IT Career Lab | National Able
Brandy Newbern, a 28-year old mom and homegrown Chicagoan, had always been interested in Information Technology (IT). Although she originally pursued an education in nursing and had a steady career in sales while managing her very own small business, she continuously felt called to work ‘behind the screen’. “For two…
Navigating Job Searches as a Queer Individual: Finding Your Fit | National Able
Looking for a job as a queer person isn’t just about finding any job—it’s about finding a workplace where you can truly be yourself and thrive. As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ+ community, I understand firsthand the importance of feeling accepted and supported at work. Here’s a…
How Skills-Based Hiring is Reshaping the Economy | National Able
Across the last two decades or so, employers have emphasized credential-based hiring practices. The refrain has become familiar: most – if not every – position within a company requires a college degree or some other credential as a prerequisite for being hired. This can even apply to entry level roles…
Creating a Resume, Building a Future. | National Able
Destinos & Empowerment: A New Arrivals Series with National Able Network Biography, abstract, curriculum vitae, resume…whatever you call it, you know that you need one to find a job! Resumes vary from industry to industry, and even from country to country. For example, when job searching in Europe, sources indicate…
Destinos & Empowerment: Making Connections to Career Resources & Success | National Able
Paola Arias was born and raised in the state of Cojedes in Venezuela. “It’s a state with lots of nature, trees, and cows,” says Paola. As an ambitious and self-motivated person, Paola worked hard to pursue her undergraduate studies in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. When she was accepted into…
Destinos & Empowerment: A New Arrivals Series with National Able Network -- New Arrival Finds Community, Career, and Belonging | National Able
Destinos & Empowerment: A New Arrivals Series with National Able Network “I never had a plan to go anywhere [outside of Venezuela],” says William Paul Mijares, a 46-year-old new Chicago resident, “But things were getting worse every time. I couldn’t find a job.” William was well-prepared for three different careers…
Destinos & Empowerment: A New Arrivals Series with National Able Network | National Able
From the Frontlines Strolling down 18th Street in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, it’s nearly impossible to miss the artistic and cultural footprints left to be admired throughout the centuries. Pilsen has been the bedrock for newly-arrived immigrants since the 1840’s. The streets of Pilsen are paved with years of hope, hard…
PLANTING THE SEEDS TO JOB SEARCH SUCCESS: THREE TIPS FOR A BLOOMING CAREER | National Able
As the spring season kicks off, and we see the budding of trees and flowers all around us, it is also the perfect time to reflect on your career growth and goals. During this season, take a fresh look at your resume, your LinkedIn profile, and your overall job search…
#1 Question to Ask in an Interview: What is your Culture of Learning? A Member of Able’s Team Reflects on Our Learning Culture | National Able
A recent article from CNBC.com challenges employees to ask their leaders about what kind of “culture of learning” is available to them take advantage of. In this case, a culture of learning is everything from career coaching and development to taking risks and rewarding performance improvement. In essence, a healthy…
On the Journey to a New Career | National Able
Elizabeth Delgado was born in Gurabo, Puerto Rico and immigrated to Chicago at the age of fifteen. As soon as she arrived, Elizabeth’s priority was to find work. During that era, jobs were scarce and especially so for new arrivals, so Elizabeth like many others, quickly accepted factory work. And…
Career Coaching: The Secret to Success! | National Able
Rosita Villagomez Aguirre had learned to support herself when she left home at the age of 14. With a daughter to care for, Rosita quickly began working in construction. “I grabbed a cutting blade and measuring tape and got to work at the sites myself,” she recalls. Rosita was a…
You just got promoted at work – or did you? Explaining dry promotions | National Able
Now that performance review season is over for most companies, news about promotions and salary increases should start making the rounds soon. Traditionally, a promotion is expected to come with a raise. But recently, some companies are beginning to offer what are called “dry promotions” — or a promotion into…
Equal Pay Day | National Able
It’s Equal Pay Day! As we honor the significance of today, it’s important to recognize its history. In the 1940s while World War II was in full swing, women workers were directly replacing male workers who were drafted to serve overseas. These women were quite literally doing the exact same…
Passion for Training Leads to New Career | National Able
Rohini Patel earned her bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University. As she entered the job market, she quickly began her career in the Information Technology industry. She says, “Engineering is process improvement which is what IT is at the end of the day, so it was the right…
“I’ve learned that the only way to fail is when you quit.” | National Able
Shaun Gray’s brothers, father, and grandfather all served in the U.S. military. So, when Shaun was just 17 years old, he too quickly enlisted. “My father was in the Navy and my brothers were in the Army, so I had to somewhat upstage them, and I joined the U.S. Marine…
One Senior's New Life with Purpose and Grac(ie) | National Able
At 72 years young, Cynthia Claude Rawson, a Fort Dodge, Iowa resident, has a happy work and home life with her cat, Gracie Kitty. It wasn’t always this idyllic; Cynthia has overcome many challenges throughout her life. She discovered she had a learning disability and that led to tough moments…
REBOOTING IT CAREER AFTER RETIREMENT | National Able
Jessie Castaneda was born in Chicago, and raised in the city during the 1960s and 1970s. After dropping out of high school, Jessie enlisted in the U.S. Army where he found structure and drive. It was in the Army that he completed high school and earned college credits. Upon being…
Creating Resume Magic at National Able Network | National Able
Cassandra Stinson, a 34-year-old West Chicago native and mom of three, began her career in the healthcare field about 11 years ago. “My auntie was working in a direct support position, and when I found out more about what it was. It appealed to me instantly,” says Cassandra. Over the…
REFLECTING ON THE RIGHT TO WORK IN 2024 | National Able
“Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.” Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.* Every day thousands of individuals make the difficult and dangerous journey to the United States, by land or sea,…