Ready to Work participant graduates from Vanguard

After receiving her graduation certificate, Mckala Hatt could not help but think back to all the difficult setbacks she faced this past year. Her father passed away two months into starting class, and she soon discovered that she was pregnant with her fourth child. Despite these challenges, McKala pushed through to accomplish her goals and graduated this spring from her medical office administration course from Vanguard-Sentinel Career & Technology Center. And the Ready to Work program through Great Lakes Community Action Partnership was there to help her through it.

Mckala started the program with GLCAP because she needed help getting the resources to go back to school. With the Ready to Work program and her career coach George Dupey, she was able to receive the funding she needed for her courses. She also was able to get transportation to and from classes.

“George was great. He helped me out in a lot of areas. From my goals, to motivation, or just checking up on me. He made my experience with the program easy and less stressful with all of his help,” Mckala said.

Mckala gave birth to her son two weeks after graduation. She hopes to receive her medical assistant certificate next and plans to buy her first house within the next five years.

“I am very proud of everything I accomplished and for pushing through during the hardest time of my life,” McKala said. “Without this program, I wouldn’t have been able to go back to school to better my life for my children and me.”

The GLCAP Ready to Work program is available for youth ages 14-24 in Erie County and ages 16-24 in Ottawa County and assists those who identify as having barriers to employment. GLCAP can help individuals earn their high school diploma, develop leadership and finance skills, give connections for job placements, and more.

Start your application for the Ready to Work Youth Program today at www.glcap.org/readytoworkyouth