Oleksii, AKA “Alex,” and his family arrived in the United States from Ukraine, fleeing the war. Previously a school counselor back in Ukraine, Alex was willing to work in any type of employment, but his limited English prevented him from getting hired. Determined to provide for his family, Alex enrolled in the ESL program offered by Michigan Works! Southeast Adult Education and worked diligently to increase his English proficiency. With assistance from a MWSE Business Services Coordinator, Alex landed his first American job at a manufacturer.
“Sharron and Michigan Works were a great help to us when we arrived in the United States from Ukraine. They offered many wonderful programs including English courses that were easy to understand and gave us a head start on speaking the English language. They were very attentive to our needs by also helping me to write a resume which resulted in finding a very good job. They helped us purchase a vehicle so I could drive to and from my job. I am very thankful for all of the different programs that Michigan Works offered to us. I pray God will bless them for helping us.” – Alex S.