Araceli's Success Story | Woodburn, OR
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Araceli Serrato grew up working in agriculture all her life, primarily in the Willamette Valley community of Woodburn. There was some instances when Araceli tried to get away from the hard AG Labor, but unfortunately, she was pulled back to harvesting onions, planting trees, and pruning blue berries. Araceli is a single mother of two boys and to drop out of high school to provide for her family. In 2014, she quit her job, knowing there would not be any income coming in; she was prepared, she saved to get her family through 4 months of financial responsibility. Her desire to change her life after being diagnosed with cancer became her primary goal. She knew she only had one life to live and she wanted to make sure if her life was cut short she was going to prove to her children that fighting is better future and life could come true.
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She enrolled in WIOA 167 program with OHDC in March 2015. Her medical treatments improved her health and she continued with her goals, starting a Work Experience clerical position in our office for a short period. During the time we had her working in our offices, she demonstrated to be a very dedicated and hardworking lady. She always had a smile and was very motivated and eager to learn. Regardless of her personal issues Araceli would come into the office with a smile on her face and her positive attitude. Unfortunately, doctors found cancer cells again, she overcame that battle by getting treatment immediately. She is now cancer free and more motivated to improve her life and her two sons’ lives. Araceli also enrolled in GED classes at Chemeketa Community College to finish what she started years ago. She was able to take math, computer short term classes. She will continue with classes and set goals to get her GED in 2016.
An employment opportunity opened at Woodburn Automotive Repair for a receptionist and we referred her to complete her Work Experience with this private employer. She was nervous and scared to make this transition, but we encouraged her to let her know what she had the skills for the job and she was an amazing person with great people skills. Araceli was interviewed, started her Work Experience and was offered a full time permanent position as a Receptionist/Clerk union completion of the training contract. In doing her evaluation, the employees and owners of the company spoke very highly of her. The owner/operator of the company, Richard Edmonds stated, “I can depend on Araceli, and one of her strongest attributes is her excellent customer service skills and most customers always request for her”. Araceli has been with the company for 6 months now and recently received a promotion and pay increase to $2.00 an hour. She will be working directly with Richard and because of her skills, will have more responsibility. Richard admires and cares for all the work Araceli brings to the company with her children, and she is able to attend all her sons sporting events and school conferences. She knows that this is just the beginning for her. She still has more goals to accomplish and she will make it happen. Araceli is a survivor, she will make it.
An employment opportunity opened at Woodburn Automotive Repair for a receptionist and we referred her to complete her Work Experience with this private employer. She was nervous and scared to make this transition, but we encouraged her to let her know what she had the skills for the job and she was an amazing person with great people skills. Araceli was interviewed, started her Work Experience and was offered a full time permanent position as a Receptionist/Clerk union completion of the training contract. In doing her evaluation, the employees and owners of the company spoke very highly of her. The owner/operator of the company, Richard Edmonds stated, “I can depend on Araceli, and one of her strongest attributes is her excellent customer service skills and most customers always request for her”. Araceli has been with the company for 6 months now and recently received a promotion and pay increase to $2.00 an hour. She will be working directly with Richard and because of her skills, will have more responsibility. Richard admires and cares for all the work Araceli brings to the company with her children, and she is able to attend all her sons sporting events and school conferences. She knows that this is just the beginning for her. She still has more goals to accomplish and she will make it happen. Araceli is a survivor, she will make it.