Pictured: Member, D.L., receiving her Dental Assistant Certification
WAYS for Life would like to take this opportunity to give a SHOUT OUT to D.L.!
D.L. is a young, single mom striving to provide for her family and is entering into a career where she can thrive. D.L. met with a WAYS Coach regarding next steps for finding a career that would provide her with stable employment and benefits. While exploring options, she expressed her desire to work in the dental industry. Shortly after this meeting, Lynn Pekmezian connected Dianne Erickson, Administrative Director for the Dental Assisting Institute of Melbourne LLC, with WAYS for Life.
With the generous support of an anonymous donor, D.L. applied and was accepted to the Dental Assistant Institute. D.L. committed to the program, and relentlessly balanced being a single mom, working and attending school. D.L. crushed her final exams, receiving an official dental assistant certification.
The Dental Assisting Institute of Melbourne, LLC is licensed with the Florida Board of Education and is approved with the Florida Board of Dentistry as a CODA program, as well as an EFDA approved program. We could not be more proud of the amazing hard work D.L. has put in to make this happen! D.L. is now working in a field she is passionate about! Thank you to the amazing collaboration and support of our Space Coast community!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED:
Are you or someone in your organization a natural mentor and looking for a way to be directly impactful in our community? We are looking for volunteers to be WAYS Coaches who will pair up with members to guide and help them develop real workplace soft skills such as:
Helping members set goals while guiding and encouraging them along their employment path.
Helping members through a workbook of activities to identify which workplace soft skills they have and which they need to work on for their path. Teach them the soft skills they need to be successful in the workplace.
Perform in person and virtual check ins with members and their employers on a regular basis to ensure continued success in the workplace.
CALLING ALL POTENTIAL PARTNER EMPLOYERS!
Do you have any staffing shortages, especially in entry level positions at your business, or maybe need to take some very simple tasks off your employees' to-do list? We are looking for employers who are willing to work with and train our youth to be great employees and an asset to your team and industry.
Full time, part time, and very limited part time positions are needed.
Our members have some challenges in their personal lives, but our programs provide the support they need in other areas of their lives as they move into adulthood and supported independence so they can be productive employees.
Volunteer coaches work with our members in areas that are most challenging to you and check in regularly to work on their soft and hard skills as needed.
For more information on becoming a volunteer coach or a partner employer, please contact Katie Stewart, Career Pathways & Secondary Education Director at 321-258-8110 or katie.stewart@waysforlife.org and submit a Volunteer Application below.