Julia Sheffer recently earned her certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential through Meceola Tech, an accredited postsecondary training provider in Big Rapids. Her training has helped increase her skillset, wages and even earned her a promotion at work.

But the path to prosperity during the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t easy. In 2019, there was a devastating fire at her parents’ house that forced the family to scramble to find shelter. After a brief stay in a hotel, the family found a rental house to live in while their home was being rebuilt.

Shortly after, Julia stayed with a friend to attend class at an out-of-town training provider. However, the course load was too rigorous for her to work much to save money to continue her education.

While in training, Julia’s mother contracted COVID-19 and was hospitalized for three months. Julia moved back to help care for her mother, who eventually recovered.

“After her release, my mom was living at my sister’s house in a tiny little room; she needed constant care. I slept in the basement for the summer to help,” Julia said. “It was a lot of instability over the past few years. I bounced around a lot in that timeframe. The couch surfing was definitely a challenge.”

In August 2022, Julia began working at Papa’s Place Adult Day Care Center in Reed City. This allowed her to live with and help care for her parents. Although she was able to start earning money, she didn’t have enough saved to further her education.  

At the same time, Michigan Works! West Central was helping Meceola Tech enroll students in its CNA program. Papa’s Place encouraged Julia to enroll. Michigan Works! West Central paid for Julia’s training through its MiLEAP and WIOA Out-of-School Youth programs, as well as provide support services with Wagner-Peyser funds.

“It’s been very helpful to have Michigan Works! there. It definitely made me feel like I had resources available to me,” Julia said. “They were very encouraging and very stabilizing for me.”

Julia completed training and earned her CNA certification. Her hard work and caring personality also earned her a promotion to Care Manager. Thanks to her CNA training, she feels more confident in her career path moving forward.

It is for these reasons and more that Sheffer was selected to receive the 2023 Impact Award from Michigan Works! West Central.