Stories of Family Wellness and Stability
Trineka experienced support with a personal touch thanks to GROWWTH
Trineka sought firm direction in her life before becoming a GROWWTH Participant. Hardships in her life came in many forms including an assault charge, homelessness and not able to have all six of her children under one roof.
Originally from Mississippi, this 糖心Vlog传媒 mom learned about GROWWTH while reopening her case to receive SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.
鈥淚 saw this brochure for GROWWTH and I grabbed it,鈥� Trineka said. 鈥淚 thought I鈥檇 give it a try. I鈥檓 not making a lot of money, I鈥檓 on Section 8, and this is not how I want my life to be. I searched GROWWTH online and completed the application form. A GROWWTH intake specialist called me back and asked me a round of questions. I was accepted.鈥�
After she went through GROWWTH Academy, a core element of the GROWWTH Program, while continuing to work at McDonald鈥檚, she knew something more was needed.
鈥淎t that time, I had to move out of my house in east 糖心Vlog传媒 into a rooming house,鈥� Trineka said. 鈥淚 signed up for the BankWork$ program. I spoke with the instructor and secured my spot. Eight weeks later, I graduated from BankWork$. In March of last year, I began working for Independent Bank as a teller.鈥�
Trineka credits GROWWTH not only for our opportunities to connect with training providers but our support services with a personal touch.
鈥淲hen we didn鈥檛 have gas money, they helped me with gas, clothing, and light bills when I didn鈥檛 have the money, food, all of this,鈥� Trineka said. 鈥淐urrently, I am working on my credit score and getting myself together. I hadn鈥檛 had mentors or people I could talk to knowing what I was going through. Everything I鈥檓 starting to do, I owe it to GROWWTH in so many ways.鈥�
Meet Richard: a GROWWTH father going above and beyond
鈥淧rocrastination will leave you hungry.鈥�
Those words echo in Richard鈥檚 mind as a dad of six living in Union City. His children have seen him in handcuffs. They鈥檝e seen him in court proceedings. His mission now is to show them a better path in life.
Richard enrolled in GROWWTH after a friend convinced him to give it a chance.
鈥淚 was kind of iffy, like every other program that promises to help you excel in life,鈥� Richard said. 鈥淚鈥檝e tried a couple different programs in Union City. They don鈥檛 do the things that the GROWWTH program does.鈥�
Accessibility to his GROWWTH Case Manager, Marcia Fields, was one of the first things that impressed him. He faced urgent decisions to provide for his precious family.
鈥淚f my wife and I had faced an issue, I could text Miss Marcia, 鈥榃hat do you think about this or that?鈥�. She鈥檇 respond with something we didn鈥檛 even think about,鈥� he explained. 鈥淭here were jobs I couldn鈥檛 get because of my background. When my friend introduced me to the GROWWTH program, I thought I鈥檇 found a program that catered to felons. My friend said, 鈥業t caters to your family as long as you do the program and learn.鈥� I thought, 鈥極k, well, let me check this out.鈥� I met (Marcia Fields) and she would go out of her way to see if I was alright. Did this job application go okay, did this interview work out or how am I doing in this job? Do I see myself working this job any longer?鈥�
GROWWTH connected Richard with training provider partner Road Runner Driving School. As part of his GROWWTH journey, Richard had to set long-term career goals. His dream is to own his own trucking company. Until then, he is earning his CDL as a left-handed driver.
鈥淭rying to learn everything with my right hand, switching gears, backing up, it鈥檚 all new,鈥� laughed Richard. 鈥淚 was terrified of the truck before I even got in it. The instructor is coaching me and now I鈥檇 wish I鈥檇 done this ten or fifteen years ago.鈥�
Richard is leaving his past behind to model the best fatherhood he can. When asked the question, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 it like to be a father?鈥�, he battles in his mind to find one answer. He鈥檚 overcome with several answers.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a compromise. It鈥檚 a lifestyle. Being a father is hard. It鈥檚 a hard question to answer. I struggle to keep a smile on my face so my kids don鈥檛 see different,鈥� Richard says. 鈥淢y kids don鈥檛 know how close they were to being outside. I go through struggles; some people wouldn鈥檛 be able to hold inside.鈥�
Richard takes several pauses while on the phone to compose his rising emotions. He said it鈥檚 a question no one has ever asked him before.
鈥淵ou have so many lives in your hands. Those lives are precious. You can鈥檛 watch those lives diminish. They鈥檙e a part of you. They want to see you always succeed and doing something better,鈥� Richard goes on. 鈥淲hen they see you break down or stressing, they know. Something about daddy isn鈥檛 right. They pay closer attention to you than you do to them and you want them to see the good. You don鈥檛 want them to see you in a bad way. Sometimes you can鈥檛 hide it. Let them know right from wrong. Sit down and tell them right from wrong. Then let them see daddy trying, going to school, working third shift, going above and beyond...Procrastination will leave you hungry. You鈥檙e going to do everything you can for them. This coming from a man who grew up without a dad. I鈥檓 in my kids鈥� lives. I鈥檓 going to do everything I can for them.鈥�
"I can do hard things": Brittani shifted her mindset to a calling of helping others
Brittani enrolled in GROWWTH Acacdemy last year. Our curriculum-based program is designed to equip individuals with the skills necessary to succeed in seeking a high-quality job, starting a credential training program and/or Microbusiness Bootcamp. Brittani started he coursework drawing little confidence she would follow-though her intention to complete GROWWTH Academy.
Brittani enrolled in GROWWTH Acacdemy last year. Our curriculum-based program is designed
to equip individuals with the skills necessary to succeed in seeking a high-quality
job, starting a credential training program and/or Microbusiness Bootcamp. Brittani
started he coursework drawing little confidence she would follow-though her intention
to complete GROWWTH Academy.鈥淲hen I first began I had very little confidence in my capabilities, and I lacked purpose," Brittani said. "After participating in the online academy class, I realized the problem wasn鈥檛 who I was but in how I thought."
She struggled with a negative attitude and counted herself unable to fully commit to GROWWTH's teachings.
"I would count myself out before I would even begin," Brittani explained. "When I became aware of this from one of the GROWWTH Academy classes, I learned that change in my thinking was possible and necessary. This past year I have made goals for myself in a career change."
Brittani, who resides in Obion County, is aiming to finish her undergraduate degree while learing how to be more economically stable and save money.
I work for a child advocacy center in my community where we help children in traumatic situations. In this job I have decided my calling is to help others, so I enrolled at City Vision University where I am working to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Addiction Counseling.
Brittani is set on beating the statistics and work through the challenges to secure a better future.
"What I鈥檝e discovered about myself is that I can do hard things," Brittani added. "No matter where I came from or what statistics say about me, growth is possible."
Ella: A Southwest American Job Center Success Story
Ella has worked in the real estate 铿乶ance industry over four decades, mainly because it has never felt like work.
鈥淲hen I considered retiring, I realized my passion for the industry is still very strong and my desire to continue growing, learning, supporting and participating in the industry is equally strong.鈥� With the support of the Crews Microbusiness Center and as a Cohort 2 participant with GROWWTH, Ella transitioned into solopreneurship in April 2024, becoming owner and principal of ECH Consulting Services, LLC.鈥��
According to Ella, ECH Consulting Services aims to foster sustainable growth in homeownership, estate planning, and cultural collaboration within historically underserved communities.
On June 22, 2024, during National Homeownership Month, ECH Consulting Services collaborated and hosted a Homebuyer Expo with THDA, NAREB, and sponsored participants Century C21 Action Realty, Madison County District 2 Councilman Johnny Dodd, First Bank, First Horizon, Hiller, Bank of England, Leaders Credit Union, and Regions Bank. According Ella, 鈥淪everal attendees expressed a desire to be homeowners within the next 12-24 months. We will work with them to pursue this goal.鈥� In addition to helpful information, the expo also included free lunch, prizes, and a Proclamation presented from the Madison County Mayor鈥檚 of铿乧e by Councilman Richard Donnell.
Harris expressed her gratitude to GROWWTH for the support, opportunity, and resources.
鈥淕ROWWTH helped me realize a dream!" Ella said.
Meet Pierre: A single father setting a strong example
Pierre has been making strides toward personal and professional growth since enrolling in our program.
鈥淎fter becoming disabled because of congenital heart failure since 2017, I鈥檝e found it impossible to secure employment in my field of 15 years. I needed a transition and the GROWWTH Program provided just that. For the last several years I鈥檝e felt like I was wasting away, but GROWWTH offered me a path forward. This opportunity renewed my sense of purpose.鈥�
As part of his journey, Pierre began pursuing industry-recognized CompTIA certifications, including A+, Network+, and Security+. These certifications equip him with essential IT skills and opportunities in technology-driven industries. Through the GROWWTH Program, Pierre has been able to access the resources and support needed to excel in his credential training.
Building on his newfound skills and confidence, Pierre participated in the Fall 2024 City Hackathon in 糖心Vlog传媒, from November 15 to 17 at University of 糖心Vlog传媒' FedEx Institute of Technology. This 36-hour event brought together over 100 creative and technical volunteers to develop innovative solutions to civic challenges, including improving transportation for job access.
鈥淚鈥檓 working on my resume, taking part on side projects and even applied to Elon Musk鈥檚 new data center. After receiving my certification, I want to work in cyber security, becoming self-sufficient and no longer relying on disability benefits. As a single father with two daughters in high school, I want to make sure they have everything they need. I want to set a strong example of perseverance for them.鈥�
Pierre's journey is a testament to how the GROWWTH Program empowers individuals to achieve both personal development and community impact. His accomplishments highlight the transformative power of education, collaboration, and innovation.
Thriving Against the Odds: Jessica's journey with GROWWTH
Jessica has her sights to one day be the U.S. Secretary of Education. Until then, she is making the most of her GROWWTH journey while being an inspiration to her daughter.
A native mid-westerner, Jessica is thriving in 糖心Vlog传媒 after navigating the trenches of poverty. Leaving a rocky marriage in North Carolina left her to stand on her own. Now, she and her partner care for their daughter, Danica, and Jessica is mapping out a future for success.
Her passions for childcare, education and leadership sparked Jessica to pursue a master鈥檚 degree while eyeing the nation鈥檚 top education role. Through her time at the University of 糖心Vlog传媒, she learned about a program helping parents acquire the needed resources for economic stability, GROWWTH.
鈥淢y professor, who was over my internship at the time, she told me about GROWWTH,鈥� Jessica explained. 鈥淚 was in the childcare field and GROWWTH aids parents who are trying to open daycares. I said 鈥榊es! I cannot wait!鈥� So, I signed up.鈥�
Enrolling in GROWWTH Academy, competing the required coursework and earning her milestone payments afforded Jessica a way to both fund a new vehicle but also give her daughter a memorable birthday party.
鈥淲e needed a new car,鈥� said Jessica. 鈥淚 had to put a down payment like $3,000. I got my down payment and paid for my daughter鈥檚 birthday. She enjoyed it and had a great time. Those little extra things that my partner sees as something to spend your money up; those are memories to me. I wouldn鈥檛 have been able to create these memories for her if just left to our means.鈥�
Seeing the progress to self-sufficiency prompted Jessica to join the microbusiness development program with GROWWTH and bring to life her side business of balloon art.
鈥淭here were some unforeseen licensing stipulations for opening a daycare we weren't aware of,鈥� Jessica said. 鈥淚 had already developed a business plan for the home-based balloon business, so we went ahead with that. Some people arrange the balloons, cute designs with them tied together. I鈥檝e done unicorns, a whole elephant, pregnant women, where you pop the belly and balloons come out. I鈥檝e done Mardi Gras masks, Arabian globes. I鈥檓 very creative and try to do things nobody else has.鈥�
The value for Jessica is remaining flexible in her work life while remaining attentive to her daughter鈥檚 educational needs and life events.
鈥淭his is an opportunity to step out on your own, create your own path in being flexible for life. That鈥檚 what we鈥檙e searching for now. It鈥檚 no longer about the 9 to 5. Everybody鈥檚 looking for remote, hybrid, we need it to fit our lives. I still want to be a mother. I don鈥檛 want to give that up to the state and allow the school to raise my child. When I do balloons, I step back to look and surprise myself. I can motivate my daughter through this journey as well.鈥�
To find out if you're an eligible West Tennessee parent, visit: www.memphis.edu/growwth/eligibility/index.php
Building Better: Emily is on track to a high-quality career with GROWWTH
Emily connected with GROWWTH after learning about us through her work at the American Job Center. Her drive for a high-quality career pushed her to take advantage of GROWWTH鈥檚 opportunities for accelerated workforce readiness programs.
鈥淚 participated in the GROWWTH Academy where I learned a wide variety of skills and tips on how to build a successful career,鈥� Emily said. 鈥淚 was able to use the certification from the GROWWTH Academy on my resume.鈥�
With that certification, Emily pursued a position with the state of Tennessee.
鈥淥ne month after completing the program I was offered the job and accomplished the goal I had set for myself,鈥� Emily explained. 鈥淚 still use the very same tips I learned in the Academy with my career and everyday life.鈥�
GROWWTH Case Managers Joy Cooper and Marcia Fields worked with Emily to set the goals and hopes she wanted for her career on the path to economic stability.
鈥淓nrolling in GROWWTH changed my life for the better and I can鈥檛 thank the GROWWTH staff enough for helping me through every step of the process,鈥� Emily added.
West Tennessee parents have options for better opportunities on the journey to economic stability.
Visit our website to see if you qualify: /growwth/contact/index.php
Meet Temica: Our guidance led her to a new job
Our friend, Temica, knows the struggle of getting a high-quality job to support her family. As a mother of six, her focus remains caring for her family the best way she can.
Once faced with discrimination at her previous job, she sought resolution which didn鈥檛 last long. Temica was already familiar with the GROWWTH program from engaging pharmacy customers who also struggled with financial stability.
鈥淚 was just getting frustrated,鈥� Temica explained. 鈥淚t was taking a toll on me and I felt like it was best to quit. I had already started the GROWWTH enrollment process at that time.鈥�
As a GROWWTH participant, our accelerated workforce readiness program and resources funded the necessary training needed for Temica鈥檚 certification as a Pharmacy Technician and Phlebotomist.
The opportunities to break financial barriers in her life led her to a new job this month.
鈥淚鈥檓 starting as a pharmacy technician in April,鈥� Temica said. 鈥淕ROWWTH gives me a lot of confidence.鈥�
Also, after attending the GROWWTH Microbusiness Bootcamp, Temica is ready to launch her own business.
鈥淚t鈥檚 going to be K&S Mobile Services,鈥� Temica said. 鈥淓ven though I鈥檓 a phlebotomist, I鈥檓 not looking to incorporate that right now, but I am a skilled drug screener. I will be a mobile drug screener and a mobile notary public.鈥�
GROWWTH guides our participants to ensure success continues in the lives of west Tennessee parents like Temica.
鈥淚 received notifications about jobs listings, continuing education, assistance for housing and utilities. It all helps,鈥� Temica added. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 know all resources out there and with GROWWTH it鈥檚 like a family that has a group chat and keeps you informed.鈥�
To find out if you're an eligible West Tennessee parent, visit: www.memphis.edu/growwth/eligibility/index.php