Success Stories |
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If you have a Power Zone®
success story to share please email
us your story. |
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Date: |
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2/13/2008 |
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Power Zone®: |
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Beaumont |
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As a child I thought the world was all fun and games, but coming into adulthood has shown me how hard it actually is to survive in the real world. I was eager to grow up and become an adult. When I moved out, on my own, I was given a rude awakening. The more responsibilities I gained, the worse my perception of the world became. However, I really realized that the world is more wonderful than I thought when the Youth Powerzone helped me get into school.
In May of 2006, I finally decided that I was ready to attend college. One of the nurses, Mrs. Val, who I was working with at The Clairmont of Beaumont was helping me with my FAFSA application. She then told me that the Powerzone assisted people ages sixteen to twenty-one pay for school. The very next day, no questions asked, I went to the Youth Powerzone, located on the third floor of the Texas Workforce in downtown Beaumont, to get some real answers. When I arrived there, they confirmed what Mrs. Val had told me was true. They assigned me to my own specific case worker, Ms. Nikki.
In addition, they set me up to take a test, called the TABE test, so they could see what grade level I was on. It consisted of three parts: reading, math and writing. It was very similar to the TAAS tests that were given in middle and high school. Ms. Nikki had to gather all of my personal information: proof of income, bills, and proof of residency, child support papers, birth certificates and social security cards for my daughter and me. She then gave me a long list; with several different technical degrees that they assisted pay for. It had at least twenty to twenty-five degrees on that lime green sheet of paper. After that, I went to Lamar State College-Port Arthur to take the Compass test. Because I had been out of school for two years, I didnt remember anything and I failed all three parts. Therefore, I was going to take my developmental classes in the summer to get it over with. However, two days later Ms. Nikki called me and told me that the Powerzone was going to pay eight dollars an hour, Monday through Friday, from eight to four just to take tutorials for the THEA test. They called it THEA camp. It only lasted two months, June and July; therefore, I decided that would be better than wasting my time and money on remedial classes. At the end of the summer, I took the THEA test at Lamar Institute of Technology in their computer lab. Two weeks later, I received my test results in the mail. I passed all three parts: math with a score of 255, reading with a score of 263, and writing with a score of 240 and a six on my essay. All three parts was exceeding the minimum passing standard by standard by at least twenty points each. I received a $450 incentive from the Powerzone for passing; $150 for each part. The Powerzone paid $536.81 for my books for the semester of Spring 2007, $1776 for my tuition and $549.53 for my books for Fall 2008 semester. Hey also gave me a $150 bonus for passing the semester with a 2.0 or higher. The Powerzone provides me with gas money when I need it, six dollars per day, for every day I drive to school. Along with that, I will be receiving a free laptop and printer from the Powerzone, in the summer, for maintaining a 2.0 GPA or higher.
Before I was associated with the Youth Powerzone, I thought the world and everyone in it was out to get me! Working two full-time jobs, living pay check to pay check, being able to spend my money on nothing but bills was my lifetime story. Now, I am in my second semester of college, passing with 3.5 GPA. I will be applying to the nursing program, July 1, 2008, so I have something to look forward to every day. I was taught a lifelong lesson; never give up hope no matter how hard the situation is. My advice to people who are in the situation I was in, is to take it one day at a time.
Everyone is guaranteed to have some good and bad days, they just have to live and learn from them. There are so many tragic incidents taking place in society today: children killing their relatives, drug/gang related murders, and child abuse, that make people feel terrible about life. I am just grateful that the Powerzone has helped me realize that the world isnt as horrible as it seemed.
--LaKeshia Simon |
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Date: |
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6/15/2007 |
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Power Zone®: |
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Beaumont |
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My name is Sharita Davis. I joined the PowerZone Youth Enrichment Program in 2004. The Powerzone has aided me with employment opportunities and education services. I recently recieved a degree in Office Technology Administration, from Lamar Institute of Technology. I believe the Powerzone Youth Program is very rewarding and beneficial. Anyone in the Program should take advantage of the various programs at the PowerZone, I want to give a big thanks to Alicia, Nikki, Tammy, Shelly, Alexis, and LaWanda for being supportive.
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Date: |
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5/10/2007 |
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Power Zone®: |
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Silsbee |
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The powerzone program has helped me tremendously. The Power Zone has helped me with preparation for my GED, child care services and preparation for college. Power Zone has helped me, and made my life easier. |
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Date: |
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5/10/2007 |
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Power Zone®: |
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Silsbee |
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My name is Jessica McDougal. I have been going to Power Zone for everything that I needed help with such as them helping me to get a job for the summer (the Summer Program), helping me pay for my books for one year, and helping me with child care for my son. Since I made a 2.0 or higher GPA I got a free lap top and printer with 2 ink cartridges. I would recommend anyone to go to Power Zone to find a job or getting help with child care...just about anything youcan think of. |
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Date: |
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4/27/2007 |
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Power Zone®: |
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Orange |
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The Texas Workforce has done alot with me to assist with building my job search profile and contacting job sites. "I am blessed to know of the Power Zone Youth Center" --Leo Donte Phillips |
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