Colorado - Meet Victoria
Workforce Success Story Submitted By: Employment Services of Weld County
Workforce Challenge
Victoria, a 16-year-old who lacked a high school diploma or equivalent, determined traditional schooling wasn’t working for her and needed to find a program that could help her get her basic education obtainment.
Workforce Solution
Victoria enrolled into an alternative school in January 2020 and quickly progressed through the curriculum in the self-paced program. She was doing so well that she felt she add more to her plate and she was placed in a work experience position at a local business. When COVID-19 appeared and changed everything, her classes were transitioned online and employment at her initial worksite was put on hold, as it was deemed a non-essential business and had to close.
Outcomes & Benefits
Meanwhile, the Weld County Foodbank was in crisis and needed volunteers to help prepare meals and emergency food boxes for those lacking food securities during the Stay-at-Home order. Victoria could not pass up the opportunity to serve! She finished her high school curriculum and graduated in April 2020, which is also the same day she became a local hero and started working at the Weld Food Bank. Victoria told her case manager, "I'd rather be out helping people than sitting in bed going things I won’t even remember in a year."
