Sweetwater

# of Kids: 3 Previous Occupation: Environmental Aide Previous Wage: $18,544/year Current Occupation: Sanitation Operator #2/Lead Operator Current Wage: $39,395/year Jen graduated from the first Climb Wyoming program in Sweetwater County, a CDL training.

“I had twin daughters who were both under two and was living with my mom and dad before I came to Climb. It was so much more than job training—I learned how to find my voice, I learned how to develop my self-esteem. After my job placement I saw a position open with the City of Green River for a garbage truck driver—I applied and got the job on my own thanks to the skills I learned at Climb. I have been at my job for seven years as a truck driver and I am up for a promotion soon. I also volunteer on the recycling task force and train other staff to get their CDL certification. And I get to visit local classrooms and talk about my job and why our trash and recycling facilities are important to our city. At Climb, we created posters that showed our goals for the future—I’ve accomplished every goal I set. I’m financially stable, I am a homeowner and I am a role model to my girls. They feel more secure and are more independent. I got married two years ago and have a son—all of my kids love to visit me at work and check out the trucks!”

# of Kids: 2 Previous Occupation: Unemployed Previous Wage: Unemployed Current Occupation: CNA, Cowboy Cares Current Wage: $2,427/month Ashley completed Climb's Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training.

“When I started Climb, I had just divorced and hadn’t worked in eight years. I was used to being supported all the time, so suddenly it was all on me. Everything was new and unknown. Climb was the best thing I ever did. The counseling helped teach me new and different ways to think—you realize how your brain goes to the negative and learn how to stop it. Our group all passed the state CNA certification test on the first try, and my score was a 96 percent! Now I can actually save money. I’m able to do those little things that I wasn’t before—like enroll my kids in gymnastics and buy them new school clothes. I’m not worried now about where I’m going to be. Climb went by so fast, but I feel like a different person than I was just five months ago.”

# of Kids: 3 Previous Occupation: Hospitality Aide, Sage View Care Center Previous Wage: $1,668/month Current Occupation: CNA/Central Supply/ Transports, Sage View Care Center Current Wage: $2,860/month Mary completed Climb's Certified Nursing Assistant training.

“Since Climb, I’ve been able to move up the ladder instead of working so hard and feeling like I’m not going anywhere. I didn’t have health insurance for any of my kids before, and my medical bills just went to collections. That was hard. I figured I was just doing the CNA training at Climb, but the counseling and support has really helped. Being in a room with all those other women helped me be more open with co-workers and showed me how to think before I talk. I’m now part of a management team, and these communication skills have been really important. I’m now one of the highest paid CNAs at work. My kids can get things they need for school, and I don’t have to beg, steal and borrow to make it happen for them. It’s just a great sense of accomplishment.”