SEMCA Celebration of Success

Ekram Attiek was referred to the SEMCA Michigan Works! Dearborn Service Center in September of 1999. Ekram had been taken out of school during the 8th grade to care for her ailing father. She married at 16 years of age.	Ekram and her daughter with her ACCESS Job Developer, Rana Koussan.
Unfortunately, she and her husband began to experience marital problems. She also began to have financial difficulties. She and her three children moved in with her brother. Ekram decided to apply for assistance at the Family Independence Agency. The FIA referred Ekram to the Michigan Works! program where she became a Work First participant. Determined and anxious to move on, Ekram found work as a part time babysitter. The new income gave her the independence she had been seeking!	Rana Koussan (left), was Ekram’s job developer at ACCESS, the Dearborn Service Center. She helped Ekram discover interests and skills that Ekram could develop into a career.
Ekram’s lack of education and limited work experience narrowed her options for advancing her career. Encouraged by her Job Developer at ACCESS, Rana Koussan, Ekram decided to pursue her GED. She accomplished this goal in March of 2000, when she received her GED certificate.	Ekram came to SEMCA Michigan Works! for help.
Having a GED opened many new doors to Ekram. She expressed a strong desire to work in the medical field. ACCESS helped her to enrolled in Red Cross training for C.N.A. She completed this training in April, 2000. This training made her a viable candidate for a C.N.A. position at the Warrendale Clinic. She applied for the position and was hired. She currently works 25 hours per week as a C.N.A!	Ekram worked very hard to earn her GED and gain skills that would make her a good job candidate at interviews.
Recently, Ekram experienced car problems. In keeping with the Work First philosophy of eliminating all barriers to employment, ACCESS helped her with the neccessary car repairs, so that she could continue to have transportation to work.	Ekram Attiek receiving her award from Senator Hart.
Ekram continues to strive for self-improvement. In August 2000, she registered at Henry Ford Community College for certification as a Surgical Technologist. Ekram currently attends college, works part time, and cares for her three children.	Ekram brought two of her children to celebrate with her.
Ekram continues to be a credit to the ACCESS program through her determination to be a success!	Thanks to her hard work and determination, Ekram is now self sufficient.