Success Story: Shelby’s Journey with the CCMEP Youth Program
Meet Shelby, a proud participant in the CCMEP (Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program) youth program, funded by Ohio Means Jobs – Crawford County and managed by Goodwill. This program is dedicated to helping young people like Shelby develop both academic and workplace skills, offering opportunities for work experience, training, supportive services, counseling, and leadership activities.
Shelby’s journey began when a close friend, who had already participated in the program, shared their positive experience with her. After hearing about the wide range of support the program provides, Shelby was eager to join. She was placed at the Galion Goodwill store, where she began her hands-on experience.
Before starting the program, Shelby had little to no work experience and felt nervous about what it would be like to enter the workforce. However, through the encouragement and guidance of the staff at the Galion retail store and her dedicated employment specialist, Shelby gained confidence and a clearer understanding of the working world. They supported her every step of the way, encouraging her to apply for an open position once she completed the program.
Thanks to her hard work and the skills she gained, Shelby was offered a permanent position at the store. She shares her excitement about the opportunity: “Goodwill is a great job, and I would 100% recommend it to other people. I love that I’m able to work and contribute to making the store run better, even if it’s something as simple as cleaning. The work I do makes a real difference, and that’s what matters to me.”
Shelby believes that Goodwill was the perfect place to start her career journey. “It’s the ideal place to begin when you’re looking to take that first step into the job field. The program gives you so many opportunities to grow in ways we could never have imagined,” she says.
For Shelby, joining the CCMEP program was a win-win, and she is excited to continue growing in her career, making a difference in the community, and encouraging others to take that first step just as she did.