Participants’ Stories of YES

Krystal S.

Krystal S. entered the YES program in January of 2006, just two months after giving birth to her second child. She entered the program as a single mom without a high school diploma receiving food stamps and a cash grant from the state.   In the first six months of her enrollment in the YES, Krystal attended tutoring at the YES program and earned her GED. She then attended the dental assisting program at the Utah Institute of Dental Assisting and finished her class work in October 2006. She found her own externship by sending out over 40 resumes and making several follow-up calls. She also attended many interviews before obtaining an externship.

Krystal’s externship was at the Fourth Street Dental Clinic. After completing her externship, the clinic hired her as a full time employee. Krystal also made time to give back to her community by completing community service hours and providing dental sealants to low income children. Krystal has made every effort to complete her training and get employed as quickly as possible so that she can support herself and her children.

Payam A.

Payam A. enrolled in the Youth EmployAbility Services (YES) program May 20, 2004.  Payam is a refugee from Iran.  He and his family arrived in the U.S. and settled in Utah in October of 2003.  When he arrived in Utah, Payam had no high school credits.   Payam’s commitment and determination to complete his education led him to attend day school, complete packets, and do whatever it took to graduate.  Payam accomplished this goal and obtained with his high school diploma from Horizonte Instructional and Training Center in June 2005.

Payam was interested in the medical field. His next goal was to go to college. Payam attended Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) during the summer of 2004 and obtained a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) license.  Payam then researched additional medical careers and decided he wanted to become a dentist.  SLCC had a suggested pathway for those interested in this profession.  Since Payam began attending SLCC in the fall of 2004, he has been working on the pre-dentistry and pre-medical pathway. Payam has accumulated 60 college credits and has maintained a 3.95 GPA while at SLCC.  Due to his educational achievements and dedication, SLCC nominated him for the "2006 Governor’s Scholar" award. Payam received this award and was able to meet and have lunch with Governor Huntsman.  Payam plans to transfer to the University of Utah in the fall of 2007 in order to continue pursuing his educational goal of becoming a dentist.

In addition to helping Payam with his schooling, the YES program developed an internship site at a local dentist’s office. He worked with side-by-side with the dentist and completed a 40 hour unpaid internship. This helped him to learn more about the dental profession and to receive some real life experience. Payam is supporting himself financially while attending school. He always strives to do his best and consequently he will achieve his dreams!

Sonia G.

Sonia G. isn’t afraid to face a challenge. She knows that she has the strength and diligence to accomplish her goals. At twenty years old, she has learned that there are obstacles in life, but diligence and hard work is the road to success.

When Sonia enrolled in WIA Youth in August of 2005, she had many challenges to overcome. She hadn’t completed high school and was unemployed, pregnant and single.  It could have seemed hopeless; instead, Sonia put her characteristic cheerful enthusiasm to work. She came to tutoring appointments three times a week and before long she had improved her math and reading skills to the point where she was ready to take the GED.  By December of the same year, she earned her GED, just a few weeks before giving birth to a healthy baby boy. 

In the last months of her pregnancy Sonia had more than just educational goals in mind. She started a paid internship with the Salt Lake County Community Resource and Development Division. She was reliable, positive, and continually impressive. After having her baby, she returned to complete the internship. Her work site supervisor gave her a glowing recommendation when she applied for an opening at the department. She was hired, of course, and now works in the office where she did her internship. 

During that busy time, Sonia also worked hard to develop herself personally. She came to several workshops sponsored by YES, including "Creative Goal Setting" and an intensive multi-week "Parenting" workshop. Through her extensive participation she developed work readiness skills, communication skills, and leadership ability.
The YES Program Leadership Council members develop the skills of decision making and project management by planning and participating in volunteer opportunities, service events, workshops, and community activities. Sonia makes time in her busy schedule to be part of these activities. Sonia is now on her way to earning an Associates Degree. She is attending Salt Lake Community College and is studying to be a medical lab technician. In her first class she earned an A-. Everyone who has the opportunity to know her expects the very best from her efforts, and she has proven that they won’t be disappointed.

Jolin C.

Jolin C. was enrolled in the YES program in February of 2005. Jolin had her high school diploma when she entered the YES program; she knew she wanted to go to post-high school training, but was not sure what she wanted to study or how she was going to pay for it. By attending several YES sponsored career exploration activities, Jolin decided to pursue training in the health care field and elected to enroll in the Medical Assistant program at the Salt Lake/Tooele Applied Technology College (SLTATC).

Within one month of enrolling in YES, not only was she attending SLTATC, also she was actively involved in the YES leadership council (SI council). Two months later, she was elected as the president of the council and has been actively involved ever since.  We can always rely on Jolin to follow through with what she says she will do. Jolin was the key person that helped plan our recent Leadership/Citizenship project, sponsored by the Regional Youth Council, where we collected items and made quilts for the YWCA Women’s Domestic Violence Shelter.
She has completed hundreds of leadership hours and attained over a dozen younger youth goals.  Jolin completed the Medical Assistant program in one year. This included her Medical Assistant Externship at the Utah Cancer Specialist. She had 100% attendance. Jolin is now employed at the Salt Lake Tooele Applied Technology College as an assistant teacher for the Medical Assistant program. She also took Radiology courses at SLCC during the summer 2006 term. Jolin has never wavered in her aspiration to become a Medical Assistant and in her diligence on the leadership council. She consistently sets high goals and strives to achieve them.  Jolin will be successful at anything she puts her mind to.

Ian L.

Ian L. is an accomplished young man. He entered in the YES Program in November 2004 with the goal of enrolling in post-high school education and developing some occupational skills that would lead to more career opportunities. He was initially interested was in computers, specifically computer graphics.  Ian quickly enrolled in the Salt Lake/Tooele Applied Technology College’s (SLTATC) newly created computer graphics program. He earned certificates in Computer Literacy, Media Design Introduction, and Graphics Design Applications.  Ian decided to turn his efforts to a high growth industry career as a Pharmacy Technician. He quickly shifted gears and was successful in this new field.  He completed the SLTATC training, passed his exams, and earned a Pharmacy Technician Certificate.

Concurrent with his schoolwork Ian also completed a 180 hour externship at Walgreen’s as a Pharmacy Technician. He excelled in this demanding schedule and accomplished his education and employment goals with impressive dedication. At the conclusion of this externship
Walgreen’s hired Ian as a full-time Pharmacy Technician. He has retained this employment and is a valued member of their professional team. Ian has continued to pursue his creative talents. He used his experience and talent in graphics design to create a multi-media art piece that the SLTATC used in their education catalog. Ian also finds self expression in digital photography and has sold several of his photographs.  Additionally, Ian has participated in YES Leadership Council service activities. Ian’s exceptional story of success in academics, employment, and personal development showcases the power of diligence and commitment.