Dominic Namauu’s Success Story

In February 2022, Dominic Namauu’s life took a hopeful turn when he was referred to our agency by the Resource Director at Clay County High School. Dominic was facing a myriad of challenges – homelessness, lack of necessities, and barriers to education. His situation was dire, as he was living in a dilapidated camper with no electricity or water, having aged out of foster care. However, Dominic’s story is one of remarkable transformations, made possible by the dedication and support of our team at Daniel Boone Community Action Agency.

Dominic’s first encounter with our Homeless Case Manager, Chasity Kemp, proved to be a pivotal moment. Recognizing the urgency of his situation, Chasity swiftly assessed Dominic’s eligibility for assistance through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG). With unwavering determination, Chasity navigated the complex process of getting Dominic enrolled in the homeless data system, paving the way for him to access the support he desperately needed.

Dominic’s journey towards stability and success continued at an impressive pace. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of our team, Dominic was quickly housed in a suitable rental property within a week. He received a bed and essential household items through a Goodwill voucher, while the School Resource Center provided crucial furnishings. Recognizing his need for sustenance, Dominic was guided through the process of signing up for SNAP benefits, ensuring he had access to nutritious food.

Dominic’s pursuit of education emerged as another significant challenge. Chasity, armed with her experience in assisting homeless individuals, recognized the obstacles he faced in achieving academic success. When it became apparent that Dominic could graduate by attending summer school, she coordinated transportation for him through the Daniel Boone Transit. This support enabled Dominic to complete the necessary credits and graduate high school, marking a significant milestone in his journey.

With his high school diploma in hand, Dominic was eager to embark on the path of employment. Our team facilitated his entry into the Workforce Investment Opportunity Act (WIOA) Youth Program, setting the stage for him to develop valuable skills through an internship. Overcoming transportation barriers, Dominic excelled as a Stock Clerk at a local Sav-A-Lot. His dedication and work ethic were evident, leading to a permanent job offer from his employer.

Dominic’s determination to improve his circumstances continued to shine. He secured a higher-paying position at Wal-Mart, a testament to his growing self-sufficiency. The hurdles of transportation were not insurmountable for Dominic, as he worked diligently to obtain his driver’s license and eventually purchased his own car, granting him newfound independence.

A turning point arrived when Dominic received a referral for an Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) through the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC). This remarkable opportunity allowed him to transition from temporary rental assistance to a more sustainable ongoing rental assistance voucher, solidifying his path to long-term stability.

As we fast forward to the present day, Dominic’s journey is a testament to his unwavering determination and the unwavering support he received through Daniel Boone Community Action Agency. He continues to thrive, working diligently at Captain D’s and maintaining self-sufficiency with the assistance of the EHV voucher. Dominic’s success story stands as a shining example of how dedication, collaboration, and the power of community can transform lives and pave the way for a brighter future.

Nora Gray’s Success Story

When the COVID-19 pandemic began Nora Gray was employed in the healthcare field as a CNA, Certified Nursing Assistant, little did she know the impact that Coronavirus would have on her employment status. Nora was a former employee of Landmark of Laurel Creek but was employed at Signature Healthcare of Jackson Manor when she was laid off from her position due to issues stemming from the pandemic. Upon becoming unemployed Nora began to seek out employment assistance and contacted one of our WIOA Case Workers.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a career advising service within Clay and Jackson Counties that is under contract with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program (EKCEP). WIOA services can be accessed via The Daniel Boone JobSight which is located at the Daniel Boone Community Action Agency in Manchester. WIOA services assists dislocated workers in re-entering the workforce and enables them to either re-skill or upskill themselves into higher quality positions and careers. WIOA services not only assist adult dislocated workers but they also provide services for at-risk youth in the community and area employers.

While discussing training and employment options with Nora, our WIOA Case Worker determined that Nora was interested in obtaining her CMA license and re-entering the healthcare field. WIOA enrolled Nora into Certified Medical Assistant training at Choice MD on August 30^th, 2020. Nora’s case worker was able to locate funding in order for her to complete her training by December 30^th, 2020. Since Nora was in need of experience in her desired field as a CMA her worker was able to receive approval for her to complete a paid internship with Grace Health. Nora completed her NHA exam and passed on March 15^th, 2021, she also completed her internship of 400 hours with Grace Health.  Upon completing her internship with Grace Health Nora was hired on with them as a licensed CMA on May 15^th, 2021.

During Nora’s CMA training it became apparent that she was residing in an uninhabitable home that was condemnable. The structure, in the end, had to be demolished. Upon learning this information, Nora’s WIOA Case Worker referred her to our Emergency Services Department for housing and utility assistance. Emergency Services Case Workers were able to assist Nora with her rent and utilities via programs such as LIHEAP; along with assisting her with additional CSBG CARES Grant money designated for those who are unemployed and receiving Unemployment Insurance payments.

While Nora was working via her paid internship with Grace Health she was able to save up enough money to pay a down payment on a mobile home and have it set on the land she owned where her previous home once stood. Nora has plans to continue her education in the medical field and has now applied to Somerset Community College to obtain her LPN degree. Nora will become enrolled in courses at SCC during the Fall semester of 2022.

Jaclyn Hoskins’ Success Story

Clay Countian Jaclyn Hoskins says she never pictured herself working in the medical field—it just wasn’t even on her radar as a career that would fit for her.

Sitting in the Daniel Boone Community Action Center offices in Manchester, now a Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) working at Grace Health Community Health Center, she laughs that she ever had that notion.

“It’s not something that I had saw myself doing, and then when I actually started my internship I was very surprised at how much I liked it,” she says as she adjusted herself in her seat.

Being on the other side, it’s easier now for Hoskins to see how much light was at the end of the tunnel she was staring down in November 2017 when she was laid off from her data entry position at a firm in London, Ky.

“It was rough . . . just before Christmas,” she recalls, adding that she was unsure what the future held for her and her three children.

Like many in the region, Hoskins immediately visited her local Kentucky Office of Employment and Training (OET) branch in Manchester to enroll for unemployment insurance. While at her appointment, she says she heard about a program offered through Daniel Boone Community Action that could possibly help her get back on her feet.

Daniel Boone CAA provides Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) career-advising services in Jackson and Clay counties under contract with the Eastern Kentucky Concentrated Employment Program, Inc. (EKCEP) that help people re-enter the workforce or upskill for new, better jobs and careers. In addition to assistance to dislocated or underemployed adult workers, the agency also provides workforce services to at-risk youth and area employers.

“The (OET) worker told me about the program and told me who I should speak to. I think I called her the next day and just told her what was going on and she told me how she could help me,” Hoskins says.

The following day, she met with Career Advisor Joann Nolan about her options. After taking her information, Nolan said Hoskins was a perfect candidate to qualify for the Community Impact initiative, a grant-funded program that helps provide training and employment services to dislocated workers.

“Joann was wonderful through the whole thing. She went above and beyond to help me with anything that I needed,” Hoskins says.

After filling out paperwork and taking preliminary tests for the program, Nolan let Hoskins know she could start the enrollment process for London-based Choice MD’s 16-week training for Certified Clinical Medical Assistants (CCMA), with all expenses—including books, scrubs, tuition, internship, etc.—included.

Though the offer seemed too good to be true to Hoskins, she was still hesitant.

“I wasn’t really sure if it was something I was definitely interested in,” she says. “I had doubts about it.”

Hoskins waited a few months before deciding to take the plunge and getting enrolled in the program. She started classes in March 2018.

“I had doubts all through the program,” Hoskins admits. “I was afraid I wouldn’t like it, that I wouldn’t be able to do it.”

However, Hoskins says that what changed her mind about the career path she was on was when she began her internship at Grace Health—her current employer.

“My internship helped me with the doubts that I was having about it. I don’t think I would have been successful at all without it. I think I would have given up,” she says, adding that her internship wouldn’t have been possible without the help of Daniel Boone Community Action and her career advisor.

Since taking that leap of faith, Hoskins has completed her classes for her CMA certification, was hired full-time at Grace Health, and has taken an even bigger leap into foreign waters.

“It’s made such an impact on me that I’ve enrolled back into school, into Somerset Community, and I’m doing my general education and my prerequisites for the nursing program,” she says, beaming.

As she looks back on the last year of life, Hoskins says she knows she would not be working in a field she enjoyed so much had she never taken the time to talk with Nolan—or anyone—at Daniel Boone CAA. She adds that she hopes anyone who is searching for a job or has been laid off will do what she did and visit their local Community Action offices.

“I thought before that (Daniel Boone CAA) was a good program, something definitely to check into. But now, after everything’s done, I think it’s a wonderful program,” she says. “It changes people’s lives—it did mine.”