Jennifer Weaver was browsing Front Porch Forum when she discovered the Strengthening Working Families Initiative (SWFI). She called Julia Goldstein, SWFI Student Support Services, and the rest is history. Jennifer has been a stay-at-home mom since her child was born three years ago. Previously, she was a billing specialist with a transportation company.
“I am looking to get into a career where I can afford to buy own house. I’II want a stable place for my daughter,” she says. “At this point I’m regrouping and trying to figure out my next move.”
Jennifer needed a new opportunity, but childcare was essential. Thankfully, SWFI provides a childcare coordinator to help parents get the most of their time.
When asked, Jennifer said, “I did use that resource, Tracy found me a wonderful child care provider. She (Tracy) is ridiculously quick at getting back to me.” She went on to say, “You’re given these resources, you might as well take advantage of them.”
Lisa, a Resource Coordinator from Working Bridges, was also someone Jennifer found helpful. Jennifer sought help with constructing her resume, and how to best represent her three years out of the traditional workforce as a stay-at-home parent.
The first course SWFI students take is about safety, a topic Jennifer is very familiar with. “Coming through the safety course, some of it seems like common sense. We show up at 9, class starts, the instructor has put together PowerPoint of the important points of the current module.” Their homework typically takes about three hours, but anyone with young children knows you cannot focus on one thing for too long.
And what about the instructor? Jennifer says, “He keeps up and is attentive. At the end of class he posts the presentation to the portal so students can go in and look at it. He has made it clear we can call or email him with questions. He’s really great because he wants us to have our work done. Some people have had trouble keeping up, but he works with them.”
In closing, Jennifer remarks that, “I think it’s a great program, it has opened a lot of doors to resources that I didn’t know were available. Of course the child care, and other resources that other students have used.”