King County Jobs Initiative - Client Success Stories

Erika now earns $11.29 per hour as a Nursing Assistant

Erika was receiving Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) when she first came to KCJI. She's married and is the mother of one child. She didn't have any prior vocational training and her only work experience was from temporary jobs. Erika successfully completed the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course at South Seattle Community College and passed the state exam. She's now working at a local community care center as a CNA making $11.29 per hour. Erika told KCJI that she is extremely happy with her career in the health profession and to be off of welfare!

Merit is now an independent trucker

Merit was born in Gonder, Ethiopia and arrived in the United States in 1984. After first living in Dallas, Texas he moved to the White Center area and enrolled in the KCJI program as a client with the Center for Career Alternatives. He enrolled in the truck driving program at South Seattle Community College and received his commercial driving license. After being placed in a job making $18 an hour, he quickly advanced to $22 an hour. Merit later decided to purchase his own truck after working many long hours. He now operates as an independent trucker with wages of over $90,000 a year. Merit continues to express his extreme gratitude to KCJI for the training and support given to him and credits KCJI with his success.