Pamela is a mature worker who triumphed over adversity: suffering the loss of her job and her husband within a short timeframe. She began her relationship with Michigan Works! Southeast during a Rapid Response presentation – where MWSE team members visited her place of work before it shut down to explain the soon to be unemployed widow of the services and resources available to her.
Pamela had no experience with unemployment and struggled to use the computers in the resource room. Anthony, her Career Advisor, worked closely with her to create her MIWAM and Pure Michigan Talent Connect accounts so she could receive her benefits. He also helped her develop her resume to begin her job search.
After diligently working to find a job and re-certify her UIA benefits, Pamela was hired at a major delivery company. Sadly, the work proved too physically demanding and she was let go. Pamela returned to Michigan Works! Southeast where she met representatives from a manufacturing company during an “Employer of the Day” event. She was soon hired with a much higher wage.
The opportunity was short-lived, however, as the Social Security Administration informed her that her increased wage is putting her at risk of losing her survivor benefits. Pamela and her employer tried to reduce her hours, but this didn’t work, and she found herself unemployed once again.
Pamela reached out to Michigan Works! Southeast once more and worked with Anthony to find a stable career that would allow her to keep her benefits. She would soon be hired as a Sales Associate at TJ Maxx. On a whim, Anthony visited her store and found her beaming with happiness. Pamela was thriving at her new job and stated “I love it!”