Alexis enrolled in the Gaston College YouthWorks Program on January 21, 2016 with the goals of obtaining her high school diploma and getting a job. Alexis also had a dream of becoming a nurse one day and helping others as her grandparents had done for her. A few weeks after Alexis enrolled in YouthWorks, her world was turned upside down when her infant daughter began having severe seizures. Despite spending a great deal of time at the hospital and at doctor’s appointments, Alexis still managed to attend her GED classes and complete class assignments on time. Additionally, during this time Alexis also attended YouthWorks workshops, consistently meeting with her case manager, and readily volunteering for program related activities.
While taking part in YouthWorks, Alexis developed many attributes such as leadership, communication, teamwork, problem solving and decision making. In fact, during monthly group workshops, Alexis’ leadership and teamwork abilities were often displayed, and her fellow YouthWorks participants respected her opinion and direction. Alexis was engaged in the program and intent upon maximizing her involvement and gaining as much knowledge and information as feasible. She was often the first person to sign up for workshops and other program opportunities, and when the opportunity presented itself to represent YouthWorks at the NC Youth Summit in 2016, she capitalized on it.
Alexis is a true leader and it is displayed in her drive and determination to succeed. Her primary focus was to put herself in a stable position to financially support and take care of herself and her daughter, while also helping others. YouthWorks recognized Alexis’ commitment and desire to make her life better, and she was offered a Work Experience opportunity, as a clerical assistant, at the NCWorks Career Center East location in June 2016. Alexis seized this opportunity and while working full-time hours at the career center, Alexis continued to work diligently toward her goal of completing her GED. Consequently, Alexis exceled in her clerical assistant role and was consistent in her attendance and with work expectations.
As a result of her assiduousness, Alexis completed her HSE/GED on August 25, 2016 and received her diploma on March 24, 2017 at Gaston College’s Commencement Ceremony. Additionally, even though Alexis was in her Work Experience placement at the Career Center, she still made it a priority to meet with her YouthWorks’ Case Manager and Work Experience Specialist in order to prepare for unsubsidized employment. Alexis’ position with the career center ended on November 18, 2016, and on December 6, 2016 Alexis obtained full time employment with Holy Angels as a Direct Support Professional, which is in the path of her ultimate career field of nursing. Just as Alexis did with YouthWorks, she is also doing with Holy Angels in capitalizing on all training and learning opportunities that are afforded to her.
Alexis is very appreciative of the support and guidance she received from Gaston College YouthWorks, and she continues to offer the program assistance wherever she can. Subsequently, Alexis is pursuing her dream of one day becoming a nurse in the military, and she has now completed the ASVAB and plans to enlist in the Air Force in the latter part of 2017. Alexis is constantly pursuing ways to better herself, in addition to working toward a prosperous future for her and her daughter.