The Right Service at the Right Time NCWorks Career Center Anson Makes Employment Dreams Come True!

Yasmine Escalera received the right service, at the right time at the NCWorks Career Center-Anson in Wadesboro to make her employment dreams come true. The NCWorks Career Center-Anson, led by Center Leader Freda Buchanan, was there to help Yasmine fulfill her dream of becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

Yasmine, a single mother of 3, two of which were newborn twins when she began her journey with NCWorks. She was enrolled at Richmond Community College who referred her to the NCWorks Career Center after being denied financial aid due to using funds previously and maxing out assistance. Yasmine was employed as a Certified Nursing Assistance but wanted more for herself and her children but did not have the funding to continue without assistance. Cedrina Lisenby, NCWorks Talent Development Specialist, met Yasmine on July 15, 2022, and was able to enroll her into Centralina WDB-funded Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) services on July 19, 2022. Cedrina saw the potential and determination in Yasmine and knew that NCWorks and WIOA services were a good fit for her. Following career development activities, Cedrina was able to provide Yasmine with financial assistance through a WIOA scholarship to allow her to successfully complete her training.

Yasmine completed the LPN Program on July 31, 2023, and as a celebration of her success, Cedrina attended the graduation. Throughout the duration of her training, Yasmine held the vice-president position for the LPN program. It was the support from the NCWorks Career Center-Anson team and the WIOA scholarship that allowed her to focus on her training and provide for her children. Yasmine received multiple job offers, accepting a position on August 21, 2023, at Atrium Health Union in Monroe with the Cardiac Med Tele/Observation Unit. With a starting wage of $22.17 per hour, Yasmine's duties include medicating and reporting changes to patient status to doctors attending to the patient, monitoring and keeping patients stable, practicing and maintaining patient safety at all times, admitting patients to the floor and discharge patients home or to facilities, educate patients of ways to prevent and maintain issues that are related to their admission. Yasmine has gone from struggling to make ends meet to being self-sufficient, not just for a limited time, but for a lifetime.

Regarding NCWorks/WIOA and the guidance provided by Cedrina Lisenby, Yasmine stated "Thank you so much and I will also thank you for coming yesterday and for all the help and support from the program as I went on this journey. It was truly appreciated especially when I really had no idea how I would pay for school and that helped alleviate that stress from me."

The Centralina Workforce Development Board is proud of the accomplishments of our customers and the support of our NCWorks teammates who make success possible. For more information on resources, opportunities, and successes, visit https://centralinaworkforce.com/. And be sure to download the FREE Centralina WDB Mobile App – available on the Google Play Store and the App Store for iPhone to keep up with all the local workforce services and events happening around the region.

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