Faces of Success

Faces of Success Past Recipients

Jason, 2006 [back to top]
Jason was unemployed and sleeping on his mother’s couch when he came to AWEE in 2005. Although his work life had been characterized by a string of low-paid jobs, he was determined to find a rewarding career with opportunities for meaningful advancement. As proof of his commitment, he took every class AWEE offered, traveling alone by bus each day from his North Scottsdale home.

After consulting with AWEE's Career Development Specialist and doing some independent research, Jason decided to pursue a career as a radiological technician. With AWEE's help, he enrolled in a nine-month training program, earning a 3.2 GPA. Upon completion, he quickly found a position paying $11 an hour.

Thanks to the confidence and focus he found at AWEE, Jason has secured a great position with excellent advancement opportunities. He’s feeling so good about the future that he recently purchased his first new car. Jason's next goal is to attend Gateway Community College to earn a degree in Radiology.

Margarita, 2006 [back to top]
Margarita and her husband spent two years in prison after being convicted of possessing marijuana with the intent to sell. When she was released in May 2006, Margarita was determined to make a secure home for herself and the two children she had left behind.

Since then, Margarita has enthusiastically attended several AWEE workshops and classes and focused energetically on her goal of becoming a plumber. She has taken the Maricopa Skills Center assessment test and applied for financial aid to pay for plumbing school. “Margarita is determined to do everything in her power to better her life and avoid returning to prison," said her Career Development Specialist. "She's so focused and committed, nothing's going to stop her from achieving her goal. I think she's made a great start on her path to a successful and satisfying new life."

Patricia, 2006 [back to top]
Patricia found herself in dire financial straits after separating from her husband. She didn’t fully appreciate how bad the situation had become until her 12-year-old son offered to drop out of school so that he could help her pay the bills. Patricia was referred to AWEE in 2005, where she participated in several career advising and exploration courses. In the process, she developed an interest in welding.

With AWEE's help, Patricia entered a welding training program offered by the Maricopa Skills Center. She also wrote a new resume and honed her interviewing skills. She did so well in her studies, Schuff Steel offered her a position paying $15.02 an hour before she’d even graduated. However, Patricia opted to remain in school, knowing that her wages would rise dramatically once she completed her welding training.

Patricia’s son, who is now 13, thinks it’s “totally cool” that mom’s paycheck covers the bills and his hobbies too.

Diane, 2005 [back to top]
Diane—a victim of domestic violence—was unemployed and on public assistance when she first came to AWEE in 2004. As a single mother with three children, she was desperately in need of a viable career that would support her family.

With AWEE's help, Diane found the motivation and confidence she needed to begin her journey to self-sufficiency. She took advantage of every class AWEE offered. Soon after, Diane found employment with Maximus, an AWEE workforce development partner. Nine months later, she was promoted to a position as an Employment Specialist.

Today, Diane is proud of her financial self-sufficiency. She and her family have a nice place to live and a new car. "I couldn’t have done it without AWEE," she says now. "They really care about people like me."

Sharon, 2005 [back to top]
When Sharon came to AWEE in 2005, she had just been downsized from a local manufacturing company and her career was at a dead end. AWEE provided a nurturing environment where she could explore new career options. Ultimately, Sharon decided to focus on finding a job in the field of early childhood development.

Soon afterwards, Sharon found a position as a parent aide at Catholic Social Services. She continues to enhance her skills while attending Yavapai College. She has also been promoted to Parent Aide Coordinator, a supervisory position where she manages several other staff members. Thanks to her positive attitude and openness, Sharon has been able to enter a field that she loves. The families of Yavapai County are indeed fortunate to have Sharon making a difference in their lives.

Peggy, 2005 [back to top]
In 1994, Peggy was a 33-year-old single mother working hard to recover from a horrific addiction to Methamphetamines. She was undereducated, unemployed and unable to care for her frightened 7-year-old child. That's when a friend brought her to AWEE.

When Peggy's skills assessment testing suggested she might be good at counseling, “the light went on,” she says now. AWEE helped her secure the funds she needed, first to complete training as a counselor, and later, to pursue a college education. Eventually, Peggy earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and then a Master’s Degree in Organizational Management

Eleven years after finding AWEE, Peggy's life has been transformed. Today, she is a licensed independent Substance Abuse Counselor and Quality Management Director at a nonprofit outpatient facility for individuals with mental health and substance abuse issues. "I've accomplished more in the last eleven years than I did during my entire life before AWEE,” said Peggy. "Thank you, AWEE, for being there to help me achieve my dream.”

Marilyn, 2004 [back to top]
When Marilyn came to AWEE in 2004, she had been unemployed for two years, nearly exhausted her savings and been forced to apply for public assistance and food stamps to support her family. "It was the lowest point in my life," she says now.

Marilyn went to AWEE on the advice of a friend. With a little help from her Career Development Specialist, Marilyn developed an action plan to pursue her education and employment goals. She attended workshops to help with her job search skills and restore her motivation and self-confidence.

Soon, Marilyn had five college credits under her belt and two new interview outfits, courtesy of AWEE's Clothing Boutique. AWEE helped her obtain a new pair of glasses to correct some challenging vision problems. She became an active member of an AWEE Job Club, where members provided support to each other and shared ideas and job leads. She was starting to feel like a brand new person.

In short order, Marilyn enrolled in a real estate licensing program, earned her license and secured a position with a local real estate company. Then, she proceeded to sell her first listing in only 24 hours! Since then, she's nearly quadrupled her income from less than $10,000 a year to nearly $40,000. "AWEE was a home run for me," she says now. "They helped me hit the ground running. I'm so grateful for their support and encouragement."

Rosemarie, 2004 [back to top]
Rosemarie is a survivor. When a counselor told her to leave Florida to escape further abuse from her ex-husband, she moved to Arizona, although she had no family or friends waiting there to support her.

"Ro" was working low-paid jobs at a grocery store and laundromat when she learned about AWEE. Initially, she came to AWEE's Prescott office simply looking for someone to talk to about the tragedy of her brother's suicide and the years of abuse she had suffered due to her ex-husband's violence and addictions.

With AWEE's help, she confronted her depression and began developing a plan to pursue more satisfying and lucrative work. She enrolled in career readiness classes, where she re-discovered her sense of self-confidence and self-worth. Feeling compelled to "give something back," Ro donated her time as an AWEE volunteer to help others facing similar challenges. Then, Ro applied for—and secured—a part-time file clerk job with Yavapai County. There, her hard work was rewarded with two promotions, earning her a full-time position as a court clerk with a good salary and benefits package.

Since then, Ro has enrolled in a college psychology course, an area of study she has dreamed of pursuing since she was 18. Although reflecting on her past struggles still brings tears to her eyes, Ro is focused and upbeat about the future. You can see it in the enthusiasm she brings to each new opportunity. She can scarcely sit still for excitement.

Lisa, 2004 [back to top]
When Lisa came to AWEE 13 years ago, she was caught in a verbally and emotionally abusive marriage that had devastated her self-esteem and confidence. She knew it was time to make a major change in her life. But as a young mother of three children, she didn’t know how to begin or where to turn for help. That's when a friend told her about AWEE.

AWEE provided the encouragement, support and resources Lisa needed to get going. Lacking formal education beyond high school, Lisa enrolled at Glendale Community College. Life suddenly became exciting. Shortly after completing the program, she was hired by AWEE as an Intake Interviewer and was quickly promoted to Program Assistant.

During her tenure with AWEE, Lisa has watched other women grow, set new goals for themselves and exceed their own expectations. This has inspired her to do the same for herself. Today Lisa is employed by Community Services of Arizona, where she travels around the state assessing and overseeing nearly 3,000 affordable housing units. Ask Lisa how AWEE has made a difference in her life and she'll tell you, "It was the first stepping stone in my path to success."

Neva, 2003 [back to top]
Neva dreamed of a career that would fulfill her while providing the financial support her family needed. Married to a military man, Neva’s frequent moves made it difficult for her to find work and earn advancement. After moving to Luke Air Force Base in 1985, Neva was introduced to AWEE. She attended life skills and job readiness courses and immediately found employment. Since then, Neva has landed a number of good jobs, with AWEE providing support and encouragement whenever she needed it.

In 2001, Neva joined the Phoenix Workforce Connection as a career advisor and found that her journey with AWEE had come full circle. She is now working in partnership with AWEE to help women become—and stay—successfully employed. Over the years, Neva has made giving back a priority, serving as a foster parent to 40 children and frequently volunteering her time and talents. "AWEE gave me the skills and confidence I needed to achieve success in my career," she says today.

Olivia, 2003 [back to top]
Olivia became homeless when she could no longer endure her husband's violence and the injuries that sent her repeatedly to the hospital. Desperate for a way to support herself and her four children, Olivia visited the Mesa Police Department’s Center Against Violence, where she was referred to AWEE for employment and education assistance.

Out of necessity, Olivia launched a cleaning service to support her family. Soon afterwards, AWEE paid for her to attend an "English as a Second Language" class at Mesa Community College. Olivia is now a small business owner with two employees who are also recovering from domestic violence. She is also a full-time college student with high hopes for the future.

Olivia's journey from domestic violence and homelessness to small business ownership took courage and tenacity. But she is the first to acknowledge that she couldn’t have done it alone. "AWEE made it possible for me to achieve my education and employment goals," she said. "I wouldn’t be where I am today without them."

Joy, 2003 [back to top]
Life was good for Joy in the 1980s. She was a college graduate, newly married with a great job as a music teacher. But four years later, her life was drastically different. Her marriage had fallen apart and she found herself alone with a toddler and no job. By the time her son turned four, Joy was homeless and her life was in crisis.

When she got a job working as a cashier at a convenience store, Joy finally recognized she needed help to turn her life around. That's when a friend told her about AWEE. The education and support she found there made all the difference. She was humbled and grateful for the friendships she made with other women in similar situations.

Joy is now the Development Director for the Old Town Mission in Cottonwood, Arizona. Her position is high-pressured, fast-paced and exciting. Joy frequently thinks about how much her life has changed in the 14 years since she first registered with AWEE. The self-discovery and empowerment she gained is a testament to her determination and the support she received at AWEE.

Jolaire [back to top]
When Jolaire got married, she thought it was going to last forever. “We were going to be happy and life was going to be great,” she says. But she and her husband began having problems, and one day he came home and told her he was leaving. Suddenly, Jolaire was faced with the prospect of re-entering the workforce. She had held jobs before her marriage, but had always lived paycheck to paycheck. Now she had three children to support, with the youngest only 18 months old.

“I had no idea how I was going to cope. I didn’t know what to do or where to turn,” Jolaire remembers. She started by calling AWEE. After Jolaire’s first day of classes, she phoned her sister to talk about her day. Jolaire’s sister noticed a difference immediately.

“One day at AWEE and you’re a different person,” her sister said. “That's because I laughed for the first time in months," Jolaire responded. For Jolaire, AWEE represented a place to go when she felt lost. “AWEE restored my self-esteem. It gave me confidence and courage to keep trying. It gave me resources. I’ll be forever grateful to AWEE for the difference it made in my life.”

Terry [back to top]
Twenty years ago, Terry became one of the very first women to take advantage of AWEE’s programs. She had been working since the age of 13, doing whatever was necessary to survive. After her pregnancy, Terry’s self-esteem hit rock bottom and she contacted AWEE. “I thought I had failed,” she recalls. “I didn’t see myself as a good role model for my children because I was angry all the time. I needed help getting my life back on track."

AWEE helped Terry cope with the difficult challenges she was facing. “By helping me, AWEE also helped my family," she said. Today, Terry has established a successful career with the Town of Guadalupe and feels like a new person. Her AWEE Certificate of Completion still hangs proudly above the desk in her office. "Now I can encourage my kids to get an education and achieve something in their own lives. Not only do I feel good about myself, my son feels better about me too. Hopefully AWEE will be around for another twenty years.”

Anessa [back to top]
When Anessa came to AWEE in 1994, she was alternating between living with friends and homelessness. Although she had been working since the age of 14, Anessa had never made enough money to meet her needs. “I had all kinds of jobs,” recalls Anessa, “I did housekeeping, drywall, car repair and many other things. But those jobs just kept me alive. They didn’t allow me to better myself.” Since coming to AWEE, Anessa has developed a new tenacity. “My kids see it, my friends see it. AWEE showed me that you don’t give up. You just keep on going until you reach your goal.”

Anessa is not the only one in her family to find success. Today, all four of her children have made the honor roll at school. “I’m proud not only of them, but of myself. I think they’re following Mom’s example.” Anessa's best friend also went to AWEE, where she pursued an education in computers until she died in 1998. “I became the guardian of her daughter so I could make sure she has the same chance to be successful that AWEE gave to me," Anessa says. She firmly believes that AWEE changes lives, not just for program participants, but also for their families. “All AWEE participants are going to be successful--and so are their kids."

Caroline [back to top]
After moving to Arizona, Caroline was struggling to establish a new career. She went on job interview after job interview without ever receiving an employment offer. She was becoming discouraged and didn’t know what else she could do to make her career search more productive. Her anxiety grew when her financial resources were exhausted and her telephone and electric services were disconnected. That's when Caroline contacted AWEE. Caroline's Case Manager arranged for her to take job readiness training classes that helped her develop effective networking skills and interviewing techniques. She felt a renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem. Today, Caroline is the executive director for Self Employment Loan Fund (SELF), a local nonprofit organization. She is financially independent and self-assured. “AWEE made such an important difference in my life," she says now. "They gave me the boost I needed to become successful."

Josie [back to top]
In her life, Josie has struggled with many of the challenges faced by single mothers. She was forced to go on welfare to support herself and her children while she searched for a new career. With her self-confidence shaken, Josie reached out to AWEE. There, her counselors helped Josie to begin realizing her personal and professional potential. "AWEE was behind me all the way,” she says now. With AWEE’s help, Josie improved her resume, honed her interviewing skills and increased her self-confidence tenfold. Today, she is proud of her job at Scottsdale Healthcare, where she was recently promoted and received a 28 percent salary increase based on her stellar performance. When we asked her how she was doing, Josie said “WONDERFUL!” And when we asked if she still had AWEE’s phone number, her heartfelt reply was “That is one number I will never lose.”

In 2008, Josie became AWEE's first-ever Honoree Emeritus. Click here to learn more about her amazing journey.

Michelle [back to top]
Realizing that her bartender job offered little prospect of advancement, Michelle was struggling to change her lifestyle and career. She didn’t know what kinds of resources she could draw upon or where to find them. Based on a friend's recommendation, Michelle took a chance and gave AWEE a call. She immediately enrolled in a three-week program that opened new doors to a world of possibilities. With AWEE’s help, Michelle prepared her first resume and received basic computer training. While on an AWEE-sponsored tour of Maricopa Skill Center (MSC), she was inspired to enroll for training as a “Computerized Office” Assistant. Only two days after graduating from MSC, Michelle launched a new career with the State of Arizona. She is now an office manager for the DES Human Resource Administrators Office, where she is successful and financially secure. “It all started with AWEE. The people there opened my eyes to my potential. They helped me achieve my current successes and happiness.”

Alison [back to top]
After working in the medical field for 13 years, Alison had exhausted her opportunities for professional advancement. Unwilling to settle for a job that didn’t take advantage of her full potential, Allison found the courage to leave her position and explore new career options, with AWEE’s help. Today she is working hard to put herself through school and support her son. She has found a position that offers the flexibility she needs to pursue a degree in education. Upon completion, Alison can begin to realize her dream to become a high school teacher. She is also sharing her good fortune by volunteering at a number of community organizations, including the Greater Phoenix Chapter of the American Business Women’s Association. In addition, Alison has become an active member of AWEE’s Career Coaching Program Design Team.

LaToyyia, [back to top]
When LaToyyia learned that her husband needed a heart transplant, her life was suddenly plunged into uncertainty. With her husband unable to work, she would have to become the family's sole provider. However, she had many obstacles to overcome, including a lack of computer skills and very little work experience. She finally turned to AWEE when she was facing eviction from her apartment. AWEE assisted LaToyyia with transportation and childcare while she attended work training and readiness workshops. Next, she began an intensive job search, wearing interview attire furnished by AWEE's Clothing Boutique. Today, LaToyyia is on the fast track to a rewarding career with Valley of the Sun School, where she can make full use of her excellent people skills. She is earning a good salary with benefits while receiving ongoing computer training to enhance her skills. Though her husband’s health is still a cause for concern, she is confident she can provide for her family now and into the future.

Sharon [back to top]
Sharon needed a way to support herself and her five children when she escaped a violent and abusive marriage and began working to rebuild her life. She already had a strong professional resume when she came to AWEE, but she lacked confidence in her own abilities to succeed. Her heartfelt desire was to return to college. With AWEE’s help, Sharon enrolled in college classes and maintained an “A” average. As a result of the encouragement she received, Sharon is taking a renewed interest in her children’s success, helping to end the cycle of abuse and victimization that too often passes from one generation to the next. In addition to working on furthering her education, she has secured a position with a respected contracting firm that provides a good salary and full benefits. She has also won multiple college scholarships. Today Sharon looks back on her reluctance to come to AWEE and laughs. “I’ve been given a whole new life and great new opportunities. I feel truly alive again and AWEE is a large part of that.”

The 2003 luncheon was held November 14 at the Arizona Biltmore with attendance topping 750. Each luncheon includes the presentation of the Jeanne Lind Herberger Award, the AWEE Angel Award, and recognition of three program participants as the Faces of Success for their triumph in gaining economic independence through employment. The entertaining luncheon includes creative and humorous raffle competitions, heartwarming presentations and motivating messages from a number of women from all walks of life.

Photos from 2003 Faces of Success Luncheon
click on image to enlarge view

The 2004 luncheon, presented by Wells Fargo, was held on October 21 at the Arizona Biltmore and celebrated the achievements for past program participants Marilyn, Rosemarie and Lisa, as well as honoring Deborah Carstens with the Jeanne Lind Herberger Award and Sue Glawe with the AWEE Angel Award.