Tammy, an LPN, Navy veteran of the first Gulf War and mother of seven children lost her job while on maternity leave. Her husband was unable to work due to a back injury and was in the process of filing for disability. Consequently, the family was struggling to meet their rent and utilities payments and came to WSOS (Wood, Sandusky, Ottawa and Seneca Counties) Community Action for help.
WSOS is one of six pilot Community Action Agencies in Ohio participating in the Ohio Vocation, Education, Training & Services (VETS) program that offers education and training to assist veterans in finding meaningful employment at a living wage, and providing them and their families with other supportive services to help them attain self-sufficiency.
WSOS was able to help catch the family up on their bills. Also, through the VETS program, WSOS was also able to enroll Tammy in an On-the-Job Training (OJT) program with a local medical center where she once again is working as an LPN. The OJT program will pay 50 percent of Tammy’s salary for a specified amount of time.
Thanks to the help of WSOS and the VETS program, the family is now doing well.
For more information about Community Action programs in your area, visit www.oacaa.org. Note, not all Community Action Agencies offer these programs.