Hi my name is Yolanda Hughes. After my youngest son was born I stayed home to raise him because I didn’t want him in daycare as an infant. One day, I got a letter in the mail from the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA), and I was referred to the Employment Prep Program at Training Resources of America. I took advantage of the offer because I wanted to return to work but didn’t know how or where to go for help.

When I came to TRA I did a placement testing with Maribel, the Intake Specialist, and then I got a daycare voucher. I started class with the Instructor, Darimilson, on July 6, 2015 where I worked on my typing and computer skills. I learned how to do cover letters, thank you letter, resumes, and I learned how to use Microsoft Word. This taught me that there is more to a computer besides the simple things that I have used it for in the past. Amanda, the Employment Specialist was always there to provide me with writing samples and review my letters before I sent them. The staff also taught me the importance of sending cover letters with all my applications and to follow up an interview with a thank you letter the next day.

At one point, I started to lose hope because my classmates started getting jobs and I wasn’t getting any calls back. I felt like I was never going to get a job. But then one day, I was given an interview at Brockton Neighborhood Health Center and was offered my dream job as a Housekeeper which I started on January 21st! I'd recommend Training Resource of America to anyone who needs help getting back into the workforce. My advice is to try it out and never give up on your dreams!