Maximus W-2 Participant Success Stories
Crystal - Leaving her job to fulfilling her career goals!
Participant came into Maximus to apply for W2 services and shortly after, she joined the Job club to strengthen her soft skills. While in Job Club, the Participant stated that one of her goals was to obtain employment in a hospital atmosphere and wanted a security position but was also opened to work in the clerical field.
The workshop facilitator encourages the participant to be open with the clerical position within a hospital and then once in the hospital she can move around when other positions became available. The Workshop facilitator reviewed the participant’s resume and scheduled an appointment with the Job Developer, who assisted with re-formatting her resume, looking for various employment opportunities and helping with mock interviews.
She had filled out an application at Froedtert Hospital, and shortly after received an email about and interview. She had a great interview and was awaiting any updates when she received an email from Froedtert Hospital. The e-mail was received by the participant with amazing news and was offered a position as a Guest Relations Representative.
Participant stated that she was in tears of joy because she was having a tough time over the past few months since she stopped working. Participant was offered a salary of $21.30 per hour working full time 40 hours a week. Participant thanked the Job Club, FEP, Job Developer and Maximus overall as an agency for being a BIG help and support to her which helped her walk into her next career opportunity.
Louise - Leaving Ukraine with his family to start a new beginning
A customer arrived from Ukraine with his family after fleeing from their home and country. They were now faced with a new set of challenges that included finding housing, arranging schools for their children, applying for work permits and learning a new language. This family came to the United States by way of private sponsorship and did not feel comfortable enough to engage with the local settlement agency at first.
Maximus was able to embrace this family to help assist them with their needs. As schooling for their children and finding employment were their top priorities, they were immediately connected with our Education Navigator who assisted this family with getting their children clothing and enrolled in school. While the mother was engaged in getting the children settled, Dad was anxious to find steady employment making a wage in which he could support his family as soon as possible.
The Customer was assigned to work with our Business Services Unit to assist him in translating and updating his resume. The customer eagerly engaged in one-on-one meetings with our Job Developer applying for specific jobs that met his qualifications both in and around the surrounding areas of Milwaukee,
After all the collaboration between the case manager, the business services unit and employers the father was able to secure a position as a manufacturing supervisor, with a starting wage of $40.87 per hour.
The father had contacted his Refugee FEP worker stating he wanted to return the W2 Check he had received for April. The worker explained that he was entitled to the payment and reassured him that he would not be breaking any policies. However, he was adamant that he wanted to return the check, so that “the funds could go to another family.”
The FEP worker went on to explain he was now eligible for additional services and a monthly check in the amount of $50.00 if he chose to remain open in the W2 program in a CM+ placement. The customer then stated that he and his family are not just surviving but thriving and that he believed that would not have been the case had they not “found” Maximus.
Congolese family transitions to Milwaukee
We are proud to have helped one of the largest Congolese families we have served to date at Maximus. This family with a total of 14 family members resettled in the United States in February.
Our Maximus Refugee Lead worker assisted the family and determined that the priority was for the family to get affordable housing first. We were able to assist the family in obtaining a large, comfortable home that the family could afford. We were also able to help the family get furniture, beds, and clothing.
There were 7 kids under the age of 18 in the family using Swahili language that have integrated to the community very quickly. Our Refugee Lead also assisted in getting the children enrolled in school.
The parents qualified for W-2 benefits, an adult child with children also qualified for W-2, RCA, healthcare insurance and Foodshare benefits. The family was also immediately enrolled in ESL and the employment program at LSS. Only 2 short months later, the adult family members attending Maximus’s Career fair at the Hilton Hotel and 2 individuals were able to get full-time jobs.
During our most recent meeting, the father of this family stated, “he could not in his wildest dreams have imagined that his family would receive such kindness and true support to become stabilized in Milwaukee”. He stated, “Me and my family are so very grateful for the assistance and will make sure we make Maximus proud of us”. The family is doing well and is now working on purchasing a car!
Latrice - From living in her car to getting approved to stay at a shelter
A client came into the office to apply for W2. While at the front desk the lead noticed that the young lady looked like she had a lot on her mind. It was clear that this young woman was applying for W2 because she was in need. The Lead FEP watched as she was given her appt to come back for w2 intake and noticed the tears running down her face as she was getting her baby dressed for the freezing weather, and to leave the building.
Before she left, the lead FEP stopped and asked her “Is everything ok?” the client stated in an extremely low whisper, “No. I have no place to go when I leave here.” The lead FEP immediately took her to her cubicle and just started to gather more information. She then stated that she was currently in a DV situation. The client provided all documentation regarding restraining orders. She went on to say that she had been sleeping in her car for the last couple of days as she had run out of money.
While client was sharing her story with the Lead FEP, she could not hold her tears back. The Lead FEP thought there must be a way that we can help her. The Lead FEP then went over to a Quality Control worker in order to get assistance while Lead FEP was completing W2 application the Quality Control worker was contacting shelters within the Milwaukee Area. The Lead FEP immediately processed the client’s application, this included granting the client a 6-month extension.
The young lady spent hours with Quality Control worker trying to find a place contacting different DV shelters within Milwaukee, Kenosha, Waukesha, Racine and 211. Unfortunately, all efforts were not successful. The client was encouraged to come back to the agency the next day to continue to assist in finding housing.
The Lead FEP asked the workshop facilitator worker if a career assessment could be completed. The workshop facilitator accommodated the client immediately. Client was also connected with the BSU and immediately they were able to put together her resume. Client at that time was also provided with a tablet to make it easier for her to continue to look for housing and employment. At that time, the client left with feelings of accomplishment and hope.
The Lead FEP contacted Senior Operations Manager to find out if there was anything else Maximus can do to assist clients with housing. The director contacted additional resources and got the client into a domestic violence shelter.
When client was informed, she was admitted into shelter, she started to cry but the difference this time was tears of joy. Our client was very thankful and before she left the office, she had a smile on her face. She had a safe place to go to!