GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Homeless people in our community are now being given a unique opportunity to find employment.
It’s a program through the Department of Workforce Development. It sends career counselors to shelters to help them find jobs.
The Worker Connection Program has changed the lives of many homeless people in Wisconsin, including Deloris Fitzgerald.
“I’ve been here in Green Bay for seven months now. Me and my son was homeless, we were out on the streets for about two weeks. I am at the House of Hope Shelter, I have been there four months.”
The career counselors have given Fitzgerald the opportunity to build a resume and apply for jobs.
“I am a housekeeper at the Hyatt right now because of the hours and my son going to school. I have an interview tomorrow at a nursing home.”
The New Community Shelter in Green Bay currently has two career counselors that work with their residents.
CEO Terri Refsguard says they always let their residents know it’s okay to come back.
“If you feel yourself falling back or you’re hearing you might be laid off, call your case manager and let’s get going on that issue before you lose your housing or your job.”
The counselors are employed through the Department of Workforce Development and serve many shelters across the area.
Career counselor Melanie Sukow says Fitzgerald has a vision and long term goals.
“She is ambitious — she wants it. She is just enthusiastic with every single organization we connect her with.”
Fitzgerald has dreams of opening her own salon soon called “Can’t Touch this Beauty Salon.”
“I have my business license — opening my own business because there’s not a lot of African American hair shops,” says Fitzgerald.
She says she wants this life for her son.
“My son — he’s nine — and he looks up to me. And so, you know, he’s like, ‘How did I get a mom like you?’ And that keeps me motivated everyday.”
$10 million dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act has been invested into this program.
It serves people in 12 different counties throughout the state.
