In This Issue

Quarterly Spotlight

Adult Basic Education —

Sallisaw, Success Stories

NORA Summit

Oklahoma Works,

Muskogee Resource Fair

2019 Annual Alumni

Celebration Awards

Oklahoma Works,

Okmulgee Grand Opening

Congrats Graduate! Megan Whittenberg, Title I

Career Manager, Okmulgee

Customer Service, Center

Recognition

Upcoming Meetings and

Events

Eastern Oklahoma Works Quarterly Newsletter

Vol 2, Qtr 2, - January 10, 2020

Muskogee & Wagoner County Muskogee Center 717 South 32nd Street Muskogee, OK 74401 918-682-3364 Okmulgee County Okmulgee Center 1601 S. Wood Dr. Okmulgee, OK 74447 918-304-3160 Sequoyah County Sallisaw Office 100 E. Choctaw Sallisaw, OK 74955 918-776-0416

Adair County Stilwell Office 219 Oak Street Stilwell, OK 74960 918-696-6608 Cherokee County Tahlequah Center 1295 Skills Center Cir. Tahlequah, OK 74464 918-456-8846 McIntosh County Eufaula Office 107 McKinley Eufaula, OK 74432 918-618-6226

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Ashley Renae Clark

Ashley , in her 30’s, decided to enroll in the GED class in August 2019. During

her enrollment interview, she stated that it was not her first time to enroll in an

ABE program, but she knew this time would be different. She was determined

to complete her high school equivalency, get her diploma and get a job.

Currently, Ashley has passed three of her four GED tests. Beverly stated, Tara

Tate—Career Manager, Oklahoma Works Sallisaw location, is working with

Ashley to provide supportive services for testing fees and found her a work

experience with an area employer. Recently, Ashley completed a work experi-

ence interview and has successfully acquired an employment opportunity with

Carrington Village, a retirement and assisted living facility, located in Sallisaw.

Beverly stated, Ashley is excited for this opportunity and is looking forward to completing her final GED test

and receive her diploma. Ashley told Beverly her future goal includes enrolling in the Phlebotomy Program at

Indian Capital Technology Center in Sallisaw.

Quarterly Spotlight

Adult Basic Education—Sallisaw

Success Stories

Beverly Sizemore , Director and Instructor for the Adult Basic Education division in

Sallisaw, Oklahoma, wanted to share some success of her participants.

Jessica Rudolph

Jessica struggled for many years with negative self-concept. During this past year, she

has changed that belief into an ability to learn. She also made changes in her personal

life, which have enabled her to see herself in a more positive light. Jessica enrolled in

GED classes in October. She has made amazing progress. The encouragement and

instruction Jessica received along with her perseverance and hard work will earn her a

GED in January 2020. Jessica has also worked with the TANF program and Oklahoma

Works in Sallisaw . These programs have helped her with transportation through KATS.

Beverly stated, Jessica is determined to complete her GED and then attend ICTC in Sal-

lisaw to earn her CNA certification. Jessica’s goal is to show her sons that getting an

education is very important.

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The Northeast Regional Alliance (NORA) Summit was held on October 22, 2019 at NSU in Tahlequah. The Sum-

mit focused on workforce strategies, building up rural areas, economic development in Oklahoma, business focus,

and community concerns. Sean Kouplen, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Workforce, informed attendees of

Governor Stitt’s “Top Ten” plan. Mr. Kouplen stated Oklahoma will be in the top ten for employment, education,

and economic development by the year 2030. Brent Kesling, Oklahoma Department of Commerce and Workforce

Executive Director said it best, “you can’t set back and wait for the phone to ring for your community to grow. You

have to step up and do something.”

NORA Summit

Connect! Collaborate! Grow!

Photos from left to right: Dr. Jennifer Lepard,

Executive Director, State Chamber of OK Re-

search Foundation. Lindsey McCall, Port of

Muskogee Workforce Development Manager.

Dr. Jerri Stoutermire and EWB staff. Rich

Schaus, Executive Director, Gospel Rescue Mis-

Muskogee Resource Fair

The Oklahoma Works Center in Muskogee hosted an Employment Resource Fair on October 23, 2019. More than

twenty resource providers were on hand to answer questions and assist clients regarding , job placement, resume writing

and interview skills, Federal bonding, education and training, in addition to; Veteran’s services and benefits, food and

shelter services, Domestic Violence services, Tribal services, and flu shots were available free of charge.

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2019 Annual Alumni Celebration

The Oklahoma Works 2019 Alumni Celebration recognized alumni who have overcame obstacles to succeed in reaching

their employment goals; business leaders who have went above and beyond with workforce initiatives; and workforce

champions who have given back to their community and have served as a role model for their participants and

workforce partners.

2019 Outstanding Alumni of the Year for the Eastern District went to Leisa Blossom and Paul Kinser.

Leisa told her heartfelt story of how she came to Oklahoma Works and the

WIOA program. Leisa’s husband died suddenly, leaving her and her children

with no additional income. Leisa knew she had to do something to find a better

paying job in order to support her family. At a chance meeting with Amber Bur-

roughs, a career manager at the time, Leisa learned about the WIOA Adult

program and the services that it provided. Leisa immediately enrolled in the

program. She was able to get assistance with uniforms and supplies for a nurse

aid class she had enrolled in. Leisa obtained a CNA position at the hospital she

was working for. Leisa continued her training and enrolled in the CMA

program. Once Leisa completed the CMA class and received her certificate,

Amber helped her attain employment with the work experience program. Leisa

was hired as a CMA at the nursing home in Stilwell. Leisa plans to continue

climbing the ladder in the nursing field. She is working on her TEAS exams so

she can enroll in the LPN program in February 2020. Leisa stated she felt very

fortunate to have this program on her side and is forever grateful.

Paul, age 40, married and with two children, came into the Oklahoma Works Center in Muskogee to seek assistance

with truck driver training and obtaining his CDL. His obstacle was finding employment at a sustainable wage with his

troubled background. Paul worked with Beth Richerson, Career Manager, with WIOA Title I program. Paul informed

Beth that he liked driving trucks, but never went to get his CDL to continue. Beth contacted Central Tech regarding

Paul’s background and if he would be eligible for the Truck Driving program and could obtain employment as a CDL

Truck Driver. The school came back with great news! Paul’s

background would not hinder him in enrolling in the program or

finding employment as a truck driver. Paul was informed that

pending his receipt of his CDL there were a couple of

transportation companies wanting to hire him. Paul earned his

CDL and is currently working with Beaver Express. Paul has

been working with the owner of the company and looking to

take over the business when the owner retires.

Paul was unable to attend due to work. Beth Richerson

accepted Paul’s certificate on his behalf.

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2019 Annual Alumni Celebration

2019 Business Leader of the Year for the Eastern District, Victor Lezama—The PC Land Zone.

Victor has been a pillar in the community of Muskogee. He is currently working on The Barracks. A facility for

Veterans and their families to provide recreation, a place to stay and food to eat. Victor is always willing to partner

with Oklahoma Works and WIOA Title I for work experience and on-the-job training for participants of these programs.

He is passionate about helping others and giving opportunity to those that need it. Victor has hired two of his work

experience participants. One for The PC Land Zone and the other for The Barracks. Victor stated he was very im-

pressed with one of his work experience participants that he promoted him

to a supervisor at his Tahlequah store. Victor enjoys mentoring others,

working with the community with workshops and resource fairs for Veter-

ans and Title I Priority populations

Victor was unable to attend. Alecia Gunn, Business Services Coordinator

accepted Victor’s certificate on his behalf.

2019 Workforce Champion of the Year, Earnie Gilder—Interstate Properties and Chair for the Eastern

Workforce Board

Anyone that has had the privilege to work with or alongside Earnie Gilder knows what a great and inspiring man he is.

He has touched so many lives and has done great things for his fellow man and community. A workforce champion he

is. Thanks Earnie for all you do.

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Okmulgee Oklahoma Works Center Grand Opening

Oklahoma Works Center in Okmulgee had their grand

opening on November 1, 2019. This new location will

house many partners, DRS, WIOA Title I, DHS, and Creek

Nation Employment Services. Other partners will have

space to provide services as well, ABE and TANF to name

a few. The new office is located at 1601 S. Wood Drive

next to the Creek Nation Tag Office.

Congrats Megan Whittenberg!

Megan is a Career Manager in the Oklahoma Works Okmulgee

center. She has worked her way thru the Title I program as a

participant in getting her education, work experience placement

with WIOA/Title I and supportive services. Megan graduated in

December with her Associates Degree in Business.

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Customer Surveys

Participants giving praise to those helping them achieve their goals.

Tahlequah Oklahoma Works

Tim was very helpful

Thank you for the help, glad you offer our community your services

I appreciate the services offered, but more importantly the smile and kindness received

Staff is great and is wonderful help every time I come in

Okmulgee Oklahoma Works

Tara was very nice

Tara helped me a lot

Leondra was very helpful

Leondra and Tara always help me get my stuff done

Those ladies at workforce are great and really helped me get my UI stuff together

Eufaula Oklahoma Works

I don’t have a home computer. It is nice to have a place to job search and get help

Extremely helpful and good information

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Upcoming Meetings and Events

January

1 New Year’s Day

8 PALS EODD Meeting, Stilwell Public Library, Stilwell

MPower Advisory Council Meeting, OSUIT Student Union, Okmulgee

Wagoner County Services Council Meeting, Wagoner Civic Center, Wagoner

9 Business Services Committee Meeting, EWB Conference Room, Muskogee

14 Checotah Chamber Meeting, First United Methodist Church, Checotah

15 MERC Meeting, EODD, Muskogee

EO Training, EWB Conference Room, Muskogee

Bridging the Gap, Eufaula Health Department, Eufaula

17 Dream It Do It Manufacturing Block Party, MLK Center, Muskogee

21 Dream It Do It Meeting, EWB Conference Room, Muskogee

February

11 Ready, Set, Hired! - DRS Career Opportunity Expo, Oklahoma City

24 Partners Meeting, EWB Conference Room, Muskogee

25 EWB Board Meeting, EWB Conference Room, Muskogee

March

6 McIntosh County Job Resource Fair, Senior Center, Checotah