2009 Clients of the Year
Client of the Year
Donna Pernell
Donna Pernell was at a Department of Human Services Office when she picked up a flyer for Wayne Metro's Individual Account (IDA) Program. Donna was intrigued with the program, as it would help her save money while matching her savings to reach one of her goals. Donna inquired about the program and enrolled.
Donna has learned how to save her money and is currently making monthly deposits into a savings account toward a down payment to reach her goal of becoming a homeowner. "Knowing my dream home is within reach...has helped me cross obstacles and reach milestones that I probably never would've gotten to" she said.
While in the IDA Program, Donna learned about another Wayne Metro Program, Financial Literacy Classes. Wanting to do everything she could to become a homeowner and financially stable, Donna enrolled. In the classes, she learned how to look for a lender, stay away from predatory lenders, and not only how to understand, but also improve her credit score. "It's been an awesome experience" she says.
While in the IDA Program and Financial Literacy Classes, another opportunity was presented to Donna. Wayne Metro was seeking volunteers to become certified income tax preparers for the annual Free Tax Program. Donna has always wanted to prepare her own taxes, but didn't have the confidence to do so. "Little did I know, I had the ability to become a certified tax preparer."
Donna immediately started to put her knowledge to use and give back to the community. She volunteered her time to help Wayne Metro, Baker College and the Wayne County Asset Building Coalition prepare taxes for low and moderate income people. "I felt like it was the natural thing to do. Wayne Metro has given me so much, how could I not give back?" she explains.
Donna hopes to be an inspiration to her children, both as a volunteer and as a saver. "Dreams do come true with hard work and patience." Donna is looking forward to learning what has changed for the 2009 tax season, and to volunteering next year. "It's brought me so much joy, it's empowered me and it's helped me to become a better person."
She passed the Math portion of the test the same day she gave birth to her youngest child. With a newborn, she returned to the Even Start program determined to finish her GED. She simultaneously enrolled in Wayne COunty Community College so that she could begin pursuing her dream of getting a degree. Through Even Start, she learned parenting techniques, how to create a literacy-rich home, and how to be the best teacher for her children.
Click here to see Donna's Client of the Year Video.
Client of the Year
Jonathan Smith
Jonathan Smith found himself surrounded by poeple who weren't thinking about their future. Like many young people, he gave in to peer pressure and made some chocies that weren't aligned whith who he really is as a person. Jonathan's choices landed him a criminal conviction including a prison sentence.
The time he served for making these decisions gave him time to think about his future and how he could put the past behind him. Jonathan says, "I thought about what I would do after my release. I doubted myself and my dreams. I wondered how I could succeed as an ex-felon."
When released, Jonathan entered the Wayne Metro MPRI Transitional Jobs program. The program showed him that there was hope and support for ex-prisoners willing to make changes in their lives. He soon found that others attending the job readiness and training program were faced with similar situations, but many of them had fewer skills. He took the lead in helping others with their assignments. THis was Jonathan's second chance and he wanted to use his second change as an opportunity to give back to others and learn as much as he could.
Through the MPRI Transitional Jobs program, Jonathan was placed as a paid City Clerk Assistant with the City of Wyandotte. He was surprised by the help re received at Wayne Metro. "I thought I was going to have to do everything myself. I thought it would take six months to find a job. I didn't expect to work in the City Clerk's office. I didn't expect to be the first minority to work for the City. I didn't expect to learn about grants and other opportunities that would help pay for my college. I didn't expect a lot of things. It's amazing."
Jonathan is motivated, responsible, and well-liked by his peers and co-workers at the City. "I have met so many people, people who I wouldn't have met if it hadn't been for this situation. Everyone I've been around has given me encouragement even when I have doubted myself."
He is currently enrolled in college studying architecture and working two jobs. "Ever since I was little, I wanted to be an architect, something was holding me back, it was me. Wayne Metro has given me the chance and opportunity to change my life." Jonathan reminds us, "My transition is not complete yet. It's going to take time but I'm willing to wait. I know I'm going to do a lot of great things in my life. I want my future to be grand."
Click here to see Jonathan's Client of the Year video.
Client of the Year
Michelle Manier
When Michelle Manier lost her job, she had no idea what additional challenges would come her way. After struggling to make ends meet for her and her son with special needs, Michelle found herself homeless and seeking shelter. While residing in a shelter, she was referred to Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency's Homeless Department. Wayne Metro had just completed construction of Visger Supportive Housing in River Rouge and was seeking tenant applications. Michelle was interviewed as a potential resident of the Visger Apartments.
When Michelle found out that she was selected as a tenatn for Visger, she was ecstatic, "I though of it as a new beginning, a new start." Michelle and her son, Earl moved into their apartment in 2008. Micehlle was pleasantly surprised to open the door of her new home and find that the apartment was of high quality and beautifully furnished. After much thought, Michelle Michelle made the decision to reutrn to school to finish her degree.
"Having a safe place we can call home without having to worry has given me a chance to do something bigger and better," she says.
Michelle is a model tenant. She consistently pays her rent on time and keeps up with home maintenance. She also utilizes the support offered by her housing case manager. "Knowing you have someone to talk to is a great feeling. I've never had anyone to uplift me and give me that support" she says.
As a mother of three children, including a child with special needs, Michelle has become Earl's biggest advocated. Michelle has worked hard to teach all of her children that anything is possible. "I think that the positive changes that I've made in my life can teach my children that no matter how old you get, or how many mistakes you make in life, there's always another chance if you're willing to take that step."
Michelle has big goals for the future. Michelle is currently in school at Baker College pursuing an associate's degree. "I'm still pinching myself. I don't believe it. I'm happy." In the next five years, Michelle plans to explore all life has to offer. "I never thought I would be here. I never saw that door opening, but now that it has, it's like a whole new world."
Click here to see Michelle's Client of the Year video.
Client of the Year
Hana Ismail
Before entering the Wayne Metro Even Start program, Hana Ismail lacked the self-assurance to read aloud to her children. As a bilingual immigrant of Yemen, Hana struggled with English and had mixed feelings about addressing her own education needs.
Hana initially visited the Wayne Metro Even Start program to find out more about thier educational offerings for her children. She discovered that Even Start offered her an opportunity to enroll in English as a Second Language and GED classes. Felling empowered by the encouragement she received from Wayne Metro Even Start staff, she began her journey toward obtaining her GED. "I was scared to go back to school, but they convinced me."
With only a seventh grade education, she was determined to show her children the importance of education and quickly became a conscientious GED student. Despite a short hiatus from Even Start after the birth of her fourth child, Hana returned to the program with a renewed eagerness to obtain her GED. TShe managed to work on her education while charing for a chronically ill family member, dealing with the sudden loss of financial support and caring for her four children.
The Even Start program stresses the importance of family literacy and the role of the parent as the first and best teacher of thier children. "Wayne Metro Even Start gave me that confidence to read for my kids. I read to them every night since I started the program" hana explains. Hana is now an avid reader and has won awards for her writing. "Even Start is the best thing that ever happened to me."
Even Start family literacy works to improve the educational performance of children by creating a learning partnership between schools, teachers, and parents. As Hana increased her academic skills, she learned to better support her children's education by attending every parent teach conference, advocating for her children, and attending school assemblies. "I do whatever I can to be part of my children's education." To serve as a strong example to her children, she actively sought extra help and tutoring in order to increase her skills and ultimately pass the GED test.
Hana says attending Even Satart empowered her to vote in her first election, learn to drive and search for a job to support her family. "I want to be a teacher. I want to teach other students in my community and tell them anything is possible, look at me." With her GED under her belt, she is actively looking into college. "I'm going to get a degree no matter what. No matter how long it takes me."
Click here to see Hana's Client of the Year video.