Michigan woman recognized by governor for overcoming barriers to find employment

Just a few months ago, Tammy Williams couldn't find a job and was receiving cash assistance. Today Williams received an award from Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder for overcoming obstacles to land full-time employment. She did so after volunteer work turned into a job offer. Williams, a single parent from Flint, is the 2014 winner of the Vision 100 Governor's Award. The honor goes to participants in the state's PATH (Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope.) program, which assists Michiganders who receive cash benefits in achieving self-sufficiency and moving toward achieving their dreams. The Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) developed PATH in partnership with Michigan Works! Agencies and the Workforce Development Agency. Through PATH, cash assistance clients work one-on-one with caseworkers to identify barriers to finding a job and are then connected to resources that can address those challenges. Williams entered PATH with a lack of work experience and problems with transportation and childcare. She had worked briefly as a certified nurse aide and was enrolled in a medical assistant program when she became pregnant and gave birth to her daughter. When she attempted to reenter the workforce, she couldn't find a job. Through PATH, she learned résumé preparation skills from the Genesee Shiawassee Michigan Works! office in Flint. She volunteered to do clerical work and within six months had landed a full-time job at Action Management. She started her new job two months ago and her cash assistance case has been closed. "Without PATH, I wouldn't have known how I would have made it through the rough times," Williams said. "I was very determined to succeed and learn everything I could to be able to support myself and my daughter." Snyder recognized the Vision 100 winner with taped remarks played at an award ceremony held in Flint last week. He praised Williams and said PATH is an example of a successful government program. "It's not people being dependent on government services," Snyder said. "It's government helping people get back on their feet when they're down. When you hear Tammy's story, you can really understand what that means." PATH started in 2013 as a replacement to a previous state work participation program that was unsuccessful. Under the previous program, Michigan's work participation rate for cash assistance applicants was barely over 20 percent well short of the federal mandate of 50 percent. The rate is now above 60 percent. This is the second year that PATH clients who have overcome barriers to find jobs have been recognized with the governor's award. "This exemplifies what happens when an individual is determined to improve his or her life situation," said Craig L. Coney, president & CEO of Genesee Shiawassee Michigan Works!, "The collaboration between Michigan Works!, Workforce Development Agency and the Department of Human Services lives up to what the PATH program is all about Partnership, Accountability, Training and Hope." DHS Chief Deputy Director Duane Berger said PATH participants such as Williams deserve the most credit. "It's not easy for them," he said. "But they want to do better for themselves and their families. All they need is a little bit of help in removing barriers." Williams said she loves her job, but hasn't given up on her dream of becoming a registered nurse. "I want to be that positive role model to teach my daughter that you never give up on your dreams, because hard work truly does pay off," she said. Published: Wed, Nov 26, 2014