Work Experience Leads to a Career



Creation Date: 05/11/2021


Name: Katelyn Power
Career Pathway: Hospitality and Tourism
Location of Service: 62946-1854
Program: WIOA Adult
Organization: Wabash Area Development, Inc.
Credentials Earned: High School Diploma

Program Details



Katelyn Power is a Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) success story. She moved to Southern Illinois from Virginia last year and struggled with homelessness.  Katelyn moved in with a family from Gallatin County, and the mom of that family is an employee in Head Start.  Katelyn found an apartment but had to maintain two (2) jobs to pay rent and other bills.  Neither of the two jobs was fitting for her and would not suffice for permanent employment.  She was referred to WADI’s WIOA Work Experience program and gained employment as an Office Assistant.  This opportunity allowed her to discontinue the other two jobs and achieve the employment skills needed to move forward.  During her Work Experience at WADI, she learned more in-depth about the Head Start program.  A Head Start position became vacant in the Center for a bus monitor/classroom aide, and Katelyn took that opportunity to apply.  She now has permanent employment with solid benefits.  Katelyn knows she will love the Community Action Team at WADI and the opportunity to help others.