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Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI) along with other local leaders and legislators joined together for the last Celebration of Success, on April 14. The program featured success stories from the Michigan Works! Wayne Service Center, Michigan Works! Livonia Service Center, St John Eastwood Clinics and Personalized Nursing Light House, Inc. Honorees: Jennifer McCraw, an 18-year-old resident of Inkster, came to the Michigan Works! Wayne Service Center after experiencing a life of trial and tribulation. McCraw lost her mother to suicide at an early age and was raised by her uncle in a home of physical and emotional abuse. |
 Paul Duford job developer from ETD, mentor Louise Ames and award winner Jennifer McCraw. |
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With the help of the Wayne center, McCraw joined the Job Corps and plans to attend college during her career in the Navy. McCraw also gives back to those in need by volunteering her time to various organizations including the Gilda’s Club and the Children’s Center of Detroit. Denise Burton, a resident of Westland, came to the Livonia center after a long history of drugs, abuse and custody battles. The center’s Work First program assisted Burton with the clinical tests needed to complete the Certified Nursing Assistance program. Currently, Burton is preparing for nursing school. |
 Award winner Jennifer Holland and SEMCA Workforce Development Administrator Eileen Becket. |
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Kassandra Jones, a resident of Redford was comfortable being a stay at home mom until her husband deserted the family. Jones was referred to Livonia’s Work First program where she was re-acclimated to the professional world. Currently, Jones has two new roles - a day care business owner during the day and a full-time employee at Metro One Telecom in Farmington Hills during the night to provide for her family. Jennifer Holland, a resident of Garden City, found herself in a rut after finding herself the sole provider due to her husband’s severe injury at work. As a result, Holland came to the Livonia center for help. Thanks to the program, Holland was able to learn the necessary skills that helped her gain employment with DTE Energy in Livonia. |
 Mayor of Wayne Abdul Haidous. |
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Christine Mullins, a resident of Melvindale, came to the Wayne Center after Buchingham Community Services closed its doors. The center gave her hope and she was able to change professions by attending the Medical Office Assistant program at the Detroit Business Institute. Thanks to Work First, Mullins is able to use her computer experience and medical terminology she acquired at her new job at America Best Eyecare in Dearborn. Caroline Marsalese, a resident of Redford, felt lost and abandoned when she was unemployed for the second time. With the center’s numerous resources, including Partnership for Adult Learning (PAL), and the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Marsalese is now working as a receptionist at the University of Phoenix in Livonia. |
 Award winner Charles Davie. |
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Rachel Zuniga, a resident of Dearborn Heights, believed it would be easy to quit high school and make enough money to support her family financially in Wisconsin. It wasn’t long before Zuniga realized she wanted more in life and moved to Michigan for a new beginning. Once Zuniga moved to Michigan she visited the Wayne center where she enrolled in the PAL program, which helped her earn her GED. Currently she is a student at Henry Ford Community College with hopes of becoming a registered nurse. Aileen Russell entered Hegira Programs intensive outpatient program (IOP) after 23 years of alcohol dependency. The program has helped her maintain sobriety for more than two years, move into a home and make her career dream a reality by becoming a massage therapist. “These recipients have exemplified the character, fortitude and perseverance to overcome very difficult odds to meet their goals of self-sufficiency,” said Ken Belton, assistant director of the Michigan Works! Livonia Center. “These few individuals are only a sample of what others are achieving in accomplishing their goals while facing comparable adversity.” |
 Award winner Kassandra Jones. |
 Job Developer Emerald Fuller and award winner Denise Burton. |
 Congressman John Dingell and SEMCA Board Chair Frank Lopez. |
 Teri Baker of Personalized Nursing and award winner Maurice Upthegrove. |
 Job Developer Debbie Brown and award winner Caroline Marsalese. |
 Job Developer Diana Brown and award winner Christine Mullins. |
 Award winner Aileen Russell shaking hands with Dr. Don Lawrenchuk. |
 PAL instructor Ginda Gruse, award winner Rachel Zuniga and Monroe County Commissioner Floreine Mentel. |
 Redford Township Supervisor Kevin Kelly and Barbara McCallahan from Senator Stabenow’s office attended the ceremony. |
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