Success Stories - CareerSource Tampa Bay

We would like to hear from you about your experience with CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB). Whether you are one of the CSTB partners, staff, or client. Let us know how we served you. Please click the QR code to submit a video or written success story or click on the 'Submit Yours' link on your computer.

SUBMIT YOURS

This story celebrates the success of Ashanti Mcintosh. Ms. Mcintosh attended her RESEA appointment on April 10th, 2024, meeting with RESEA Specialist Miesha Lott. Ms. Mcintosh lost her position as a Business Analyst at the end of 2023 and was searching for a similar position. Ms. Mcintosh has a variety of skills sets within the field and holds a master’s degree. After meeting with Ms. Lott, Ms. Mcintosh was referred to Employability Skills Training workshops and the Employ Florida virtual recruiter. Ms. Mcintosh received resume review assistance and was encouraged to attend monthly networking events. Ms. Mcintosh was also referred to the Alison training platform to focus on strengthening her HR and Data Compliance skills. Ms. Mcintosh was offered a position as a Business Analyst with Centene as of 5.28.24.

On October 19, 2023, Ms. Margarita Bess was referred to by Vocational Rehabilitation at VA James Haley to Veterans’ Services. Having been out of the workforce for five years, Ms. Bess was seeking employment in Research and Analyst positions. She expressed concerns about the challenging job market, noting, “Our current local economy is experiencing the highest inflation ratio coupled with a tough job market. It’s a hardship to re-enter the civilian workforce. Increasing layoffs in Tampa discourage me. Our economy mirrors the great recession of 2007. When it is this bad, it means it can only get better.” We provided individualized career services, including an Objective Assessment Summary, Job Search Plan, and Individual Employment Plan. We advised Ms. Bess to delay further education and focus on positions that would support her desired education level. Services included one-on-one intensive support, accessing the EF Website, and résumé prep/coaching. Ms. Bess reported that the one-on-one sessions with Mr. Eliseo Colón were highly impactful. She benefited from 17 detailed articles on various job search topics, including networking, job information acquisition, cover letters, interview preparation, and more. Ms. Bess highlighted the guidance on addressing work gaps as particularly valuable, stating, “Thank you so much for your time and valuable guidance. What you taught me in these past weeks helped me become competitive in the job market and opened my eyes to other opportunities through your program. Your unconditional support and specific instructions really shaped my view of the job market.” On November 12, Ms. Bess was hired as an Instructor with the Joint Special Operations University, starting on November 15 with an annual salary of $91,520! Thanks to the assistance from CSTB staff, Ms. Bess successfully obtained employment through direct placement. Her résumé and interview skills were significantly enhanced, leading to a successful interview and job offer. It has been an exciting program year, and we believe our Veterans team has demonstrated exceptional dedication and effort deserving of recognition. Given the achievements outlined above, we strongly believe that the CareerSource Tampa Bay Veterans Team should be awarded the Veterans Performance Incentive Award for Program Year 2023-2024. Thank you for your review and consideration of our submission.

When Yadira enrolled in the WIOA program, she was out of work for more than 6 months. She had previously received services through WIOA youth, where she earned her medical assistant certification, however she was ready to progress in her healthcare career. As a single parent of two she needed a career path that would increase her earnings and her ability to support her family. Yadira attended Southern Technical College Diagnostic Medical Sonography AS Degree program. Through the challenges of raising a family and attending school Yadira was able to maintain a 3.72 GPA. Yadira Veron Gonzalo graduated from Diagnostic Medical Sonography program at Southern Technical College, Tampa in June 2024. Two months later she was hired by Lakeland regional hospital where she is employed as an ultra sonographer I ; she went from being unemployed to earning $42.00 per hour. The services provided to her through the WIOA Adult program are life changing. Yadira now has a stable career and can support her family.

I’m thankful because CareerSource Tampa Bay gave me this opportunity to take the course and enhance my experience as well, and it’s a great opportunity to get your foot in the door when it comes to STEM

"Mr. Daniel was very helpful, patient, it’s a Pro in comput, He’s awesome at Ruskin location"

From HVAC School Graduate to Thriving Professional At just 20 years old, Stavon Davis Jr. had already faced more challenges than most of his peers. Fresh out of high school, he knew that college wasn't the right path for him. He wanted a hands-on career where he could make a real impact and start earning a good income quickly. That's when he discovered the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) field. Determined to build a stable future, Stavon enrolled in a Southern Technical College for HVAC. He dedicated himself to the program, learning everything from system installation to maintenance and repair. Stavon's commitment paid off, and he graduated at the top of his class within a year. However, graduating was just the first step. Stavon needed to find a job, and he had little experience in the workforce. Unsure of where to start, he turned to CareerSource Tampa Bay, an organization known for helping young professionals enter the job market. CareerSource Linda Parham and Kristal Feacher provided Stavon with invaluable resources: resume-building workshops, interview preparation, and connections to local employers. They even arranged a few interviews for him with established HVAC companies. Stavon skills and enthusiasm caught the attention of Del Air Plumbing, and he was offered a full-time position just a few weeks after graduation. Starting with a modest salary, Stavon was determined to prove himself. He took on every challenge, often staying late and volunteering for overtime whenever the opportunity arose. His hard work didn’t go unnoticed. Within months, Jordan was promoted and began taking on more complex projects. His dedication and increasing expertise in HVAC systems earned him not just respect but also significant pay increases. Two months into his career, Stavon was now making $2,500 a week, a remarkable achievement for someone his age. His story became an inspiration to others in his community, showing that with the right training and support, it’s possible to build a successful career quickly. Stavon often reflects on how far he's come in such a short time. He credits his success to the solid foundation he received from his HVAC school and the critical support from CareerSource Tampa Bay. But above all, it's Stavon's work ethic and determination that have propelled him to a place where he’s not just earning a living but thriving in a career he loves.

I would love to put out a good word for Rachel E. She was wonderful and resourceful in helping me and took me out of being stuck four times. She is just great.

Christene Gerardi my instructor was a really good my really good with the workshop class.

Hello there, I feel so , so Happy that I found Career Source and also REGIO Management, to find a way to be proactive and get back to work force = ) every single day I feel Happy to come to work = ) This is just the first step and I feel Gratitude I feel Thankful all sorts of Nice Things. Thanks for the Opportunity = ).

My experience so far has been very good and employed her are very nice.

I’ve had many experiences over the last 35 years I can do anything I put my mind to

Iman Williamson: Overcoming Obstacles to Triumph in Web Development Iman Williamson's journey to success is a testament to her resilience and determination. Before enrolling in the ACE program, she faced unemployment and battled anxiety and depression, making it challenging to secure full-time employment. In response to her challenges, Iman sought psychotherapy to address her medical conditions. Iman's enrollment in the ACE Front End Web Development program in January 2023 marked the beginning of her transformation. Throughout her journey, she maintained open communication with her Career Coach, Monika Krol, establishing a bond of trust that allowed for in-depth discussions about her career options. Iman's Paid Work Experience with Katpro Technologies, Inc. was a shining success during the ACE program. Her employer quickly provided a glowing recommendation letter, praising her commitment, attendance, coachability, and work ethic. Iman's resume was updated to reflect the skills acquired during her program and her valuable experiences in the workforce. With the resume enhancements and interview preparation provided by the CareerSource Tampa Bay ACE team, Iman Williamson secured a position with USAA as an Auto Non-Injury Claim Adjuster on September 11, 2023, with an hourly rate of $23.46 and full benefits. Her journey at USAA is filled with promise, and her success is eagerly awaited. These success stories exemplify how the ACE Program empowers young adults in Hillsborough County to overcome challenges, gain valuable skills, and embark on promising careers, contributing to the local workforce and community.

Yeider Fang Tac: The Resilient Graduate Who Drove His Success Yeider Fang Tac's journey through the ACE Cybersecurity program is an inspiring story of determination and resilience. Without financial challenges and a car, Yeider sought CSTB's assistance to complete his Paid Work Experience with LexDock, LLC. He made up for what he lacked in transportation with punctuality, diligence, and a relentless pursuit of feedback from LexDock and CSTB staff. Upon completing his Paid Work Experience, Yeider seized an opportunity for a Program Specialist position at CSTB. His exceptional interviewing skills wowed the Program Coordinators, leading to his integration into the CSTB team on April 19. Yeider is already making remarkable contributions to the organization, and his journey of professional growth is eagerly anticipated.

Shyheim Morales: A Beacon of Transformation in ACE Green Construction Shyheim Morales' journey with the ACE Green Construction program is a testament to the power of second chances. Having faced adversity, including periods of incarceration, Shyheim struggled to find stability in his life and provide for his family. It was a chance encounter with the ACE Green Construction initiative, through his father's connection with a CSTB partner, that would change his life. Upon visiting the Tampa Vocational Institute, Shyheim met the inspiring David Jones, Director of Workforce Solutions. Despite initial reservations about enrolling in the program, Shyheim's doubts were assuaged when he met Andres Baez, ACE Lead Career Coach. With unwavering support from David and encouragement from his newfound mentors, Shyheim decided to take the plunge. At the program's outset, he was concerned about balancing work and school, a challenge he had faced in high school. However, Shyheim surpassed all expectations, attending classes at the Tampa Vocational Institute and working at Mielke Mechanical with unwavering dedication. His remarkable leadership qualities quickly became evident, earning him the admiration of both his instructor and David. He willingly assumed the role of a student leader, motivating his peers. On June 13, 2023, Shyheim stood tall as the keynote speaker at the ACE Graduation ceremony, an occasion that filled his father and son with immense pride, shared by the CSTB. After graduation, Shyheim Morales secured a position as a Warehouse Laborer at Mielke Holdings, with a wage of $16.00 per hour.

Meet Christian, a former soldier who served in Kuwait. After completing his service, Christian and his wife Jasmine moved to Tampa, Florida, hoping for new opportunities and a brighter future. The couple believed that the move would be a positive change, especially since it would allow Jasmine to pursue a promising job opportunity. However, upon their arrival in Tampa, they were met with an unforeseen challenge. The grant funding for the job Jasmine had been counting on fell through, leaving her without the position she had anticipated. The sudden turn of events cast a shadow of uncertainty over their aspirations. The couple desperately began looking for relief opportunities and resources, especially given that they have four children, one of whom has special needs. Christian decided to take matters into his own hands and opted to pursue a career in trucking. Christian came to Career Source for guidance and was referred to the Get There Faster Program (GTF). His career coach assisted him in enrolling at Tampa Trucking and provided resume and job search assistance. The GTF career coach even encouraged Jasmine to utilize program funds. Jasmine later enrolled in a PMP certification course with the University of South Florida. After successfully earning his CDL, Christian, with the assistance of his coach secured a position as a truck driver with Covenant Trucking making $37/hour. The long hours on the road are sometimes demanding, but Christian has embraced the challenges with resilience and dedication.

Our latest Penn Foster graduate is Jaeda Chavis. Shhh, it’s been a secret. She joined us early in 2021 and hasn’t told anyone she was working on this, so it’s been slow going sneaking out to Starbucks to use their wifi to do her lessons. She’s thrilled that she finally finished now and is super excited about her next steps. She’s enrolling at HCC for an Associates and then transferring to USF for a degree in Psychology.

Our latest Penn Foster graduate is Richard Kindell. What can I say about Richard? Not too much, as we just met a little over a month ago, but I can tell you he’s ambitious, focused and motivated! He came in with a plan and by gosh he’s on track to make it happen. He said he was going to make getting his diploma his full time job for a month, and finish in time to start vocational training in the spring to be an electrician.

Uriel enrolled with Kathy one year ago almost to the day. He’s been very slow but very steady ever since (my correspondence has looked like Sep: “only 5 lessons to go!” Oct: “only 4 lessons to go!”; Nov: “Only two lessons to go!” but surprise, surprise, he did it today! Next steps for him, he’d like to follow in his father’s footsteps and get certified in HVAC and get a part time job while he’s in school.

El sr. Daniel Mayta es un excelente especialista atiende muy bien a todas las personas que vienen a solicitar apoyo para conseguir trabajo merece un 20 por su labor

Ms. Holly is the best thing since sliced bread! She's very attentive and actively seeks out individuals to help with the processes of completing their applications. She's friendly, and highly professional! No doubt, she puts in many miles on the floor of the space within the computer lab! Thanks, Ms. Holly, you were a god-send to and for us, in there today.

I want to name this employee so the credit is received to the correct person. Angelina who works for both career source centers is awesome!!! in the are of customer service especially Re-employment. I was here several times, MLK location. I was having anxiety attack because this process is NOT easy to navigate. Angelina came to my rescue, instead of just showing me to a computer, as if I know the process well. THANK YOU Ms. Agelina for saving my sanity. She deserves a raise in pay!

Estoy sinceramente agradecida por la ayuda que recibi de Luis Ortega y Guadalupe De Castro su generosidad y dedicacion realmente hicieron una gran diferencia para mi situacion .Sus habilidad para ofrecer orientacion y apoyo cuando mas lo necesitaba no tiene comparacion.No solo desmostraron un profundo conocimiento en el tema sino que tambien entregaron con una actitud amable y muy pacientes.Gracias a ellos siempre estare agradecida por su amabilidad y disposicion para extender una mano amiga.Altamente recomendados!!!!!!!!!

Click the icon on the upper right corner to access This CSTB Summer Hires Success Story

Reggie and Holly was great and I appreciate career source

Angeleen was the best person out of all the people here helping me, she stayed the most and helped me unlike all the others, she was kind, sweet, and had a bunch of patience, there should me more like her working around here, I was here for 3+ hours and she helped the most through everything, even when the website was malfunctioning. Yall should really give her a raise.

"Miss Holly was amazing. She is an asset to your organization."

Click the icon on the upper right corner to access This CSTB Summer Hires Success Story

Theodore Mugnier, known as Ted, successfully transitioned into a civilian career through the Get There Faster Veterans Program offered by CareerSource Tampa Bay. After serving in the Marine Corps for 21 years, Ted aimed to apply his skills and experience in the civilian world. With a background in developing training programs for service members and working on cyber intelligence missions, Ted brought valuable expertise to the table.

Dear Ted and staff, Thank you from a homeless veteran with kids sleeping in his car. You all have been so patient & caring with me, my kids, and everyone that has walked through your doors. You've helped every one of us who asked for it. You've become a family to us. My family is so grateful to have been one you helped and lifted, you are all so special to us, and so inspiring that such warmth, love & commitment can come from such great people/veterans. I can remember when | first came in. | was so hesitant about asking for help, where | wanted to go in life, and what | wanted to do, was in a rut but through all my struggles and mistakes, Ted & the staff welcomed me and my kids with open arms & supported me. They provided me with the tools to move forward and not look back, to have a greater tomorrow and future. I wouldn't be the veteran | am today if it hadn't been for the support, care, love, and commitment which you gave to me and my family. In the future, | plan to continue volunteering to help homeless veterans and their families and maybe become a veteran worker here to give other homeless veterans and families a chance to live life fully like the chance you all gave me. I would especially like to give a special and emotional thank you to my DVOP consultant Ted Davis for helping me not just get a job but a career with Road Safe/Florida Department of Transportation. Ted is an exceptional consultant he goes far and beyond to help us veterans lift ourselves and stay up during and after our falls. He shows what it means never to leave a soldier behind. So from me, my family and all veterans we salute you and thank you. Always in my heart, Semper Fi Thank you, Veteran Miguel Leonardo-Colindres.

CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB) is proud to share the inspiring success story of Sean Shugarts, a veteran who overcame significant challenges to rebuild his life and find meaningful employment. Through the dedicated efforts of Theodore Davis (Ted), a DVOP specialist at CSTB, Sean's journey serves as a testament to the organization's commitment to making a positive difference in people's lives.

Once a homeless veteran living in his car with his three children, Miguel Leonardo-Colindres' life took a positive turn when he crossed paths with Theodore Davis, a dedicated DVOP (Disabled Veterans' Outreach Program) at CareerSource Tampa Bay (CSTB).

I want to say thank you so much to the staff MARISSA excellent attitude she helped me a LOT in my job search she is great.

I focus on my work I'll love to help my parents out with there bills and stuff

Madison Harte is an exceptional teacher and I learn so much from her. Thank you for your kind way of teaching that helps me understand. Thank you!

Christine Skalla attended her RESEA appointment virtually on 3.9.23 meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Natasha De Souza. Ms. Skalla had been searching for work for 2 months before receiving RESEA services. Prior to working with RESEA, Ms. Skalla was proactively working with CSTB by creating her resume within Employ Florida. Ms. Skalla lost her position working as a legal assistant and was looking for a new position either continuing as a legal assistant or as an administrative assistant. Ms. Skalla has a high school diploma and 35 years of Legal Assistant experience. Ms. Skalla was experiencing some barriers with age and finding job leads, thus finding it difficult to find a new position. After meeting with Ms. De Souza, Ms. Skalla was referred to an Employability Skills Training workshop, the Resource Room, and Job Fairs. Ms. Skalla was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for job leads. On 3.13.23, Ms. Skalla was offered a position with Dutton Law Group. Ms. Skalla is now working full time as a Legal Assistant, earning a wage of $25.49 per hour. Ms. Skalla is gaining valuable experience working in a field that she enjoys, while earning a salary that gives her the ability to be self-sufficient.

My name is Blake and I am a Recruiter with Career Source. I wanted to give a HUGE shoutout to Carla from WIOA. I got made aware of a customer to assist and she mentioned how polite and kind Carla is. She is very sweet, willing to help, unbothered by minor things and such a joy and GENUINE BLESSING to work with!

After meeting with Natasha, Ms. Kristmann was referred to an EST class, Job Search Strategies in a Virtual World (which she attended), Alison Virtual Training, the WIOA program and CareerEDGE. Ms. Kristmann was also provided with labor market information about her field and advised regarding the use of Onet for career exploration, as well as Employ Florida for job searching and employability resources. What was the final result? What did the customer accomplish? Did they complete training, secure employment, gain additional skills? What was the overall impact? (2-3 sentences) On 11.28.22, Ms. Kristmann was offered a position with Sedgwick Insurance. Ms. Kristmann is now working full-time as a Claims Adjustor, earning an annual wage of $90,000. Ms. Kristmann gained many resources from the RESEA program and has now returned to the field that she knows and loves.

Garth Scism attended his RESEA appointment in the Tampa Center on 11.1.22 meeting with RESEA Specialist, Natasha De Souza. Ms. Scism had been searching for work for 2 months before receiving RESEA services. Mr. Scism lost his position working in healthcare revenue cycles and was looking for a new position in this same field. Mr. Scism has a Master's degree and experience with 25 years of healthcare revenue cycle experience. Mr. Scism was experiencing some barriers with the job market, thus finding it difficult to find a new position. After meeting with his RESEA Specialist, Mr. Scism was referred to an Employability Skills Training workshop, CareerEDGE and ONet. Mr. Scism was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. Mr. Scism attended his workshop, Marketing Yourself on 11.15.22. On 12.23.22, Mr. Scism was offered a position with Flow Therapy LLC. Mr. Scism is now working full time as their Director of Revenue Cycle Management, earning an annual wage of $119,000. Mr. Scism is now working in a field that he is experienced in and enjoys, while earning a high wage allowing for self-sufficiency.

Quote or Testimonial: Mr. Davis, I wanted to thank you for your never-ending efforts and support to get me employed. You have been solid fixture since the day we met. You have been diligent in assisting me with gaining meaningful employment by sending me to job fairs, accompanying me to those same job fairs, and emailing me job leads on a weekly basis. You even went above and beyond for me by asking your daughter to provide her expert advice in HR to optimize my resume. That helped tremendously. Additionally, you even stepped in whenever I was having some personal issues with the staff at the Salvation Army which went beyond the scope of your responsibilities as a DVOP consultant. You have been pinnacle to my success, and I can’t thank you enough. Thanks for believing in me. 🙏🏼 Sincerely, Gabriel Bartolomei

Ms. Sylvia Gaddis attended her RESEA appointment virtually on 10.17.22 meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Eva Lundi. Ms. Gaddis had been searching for work for 6 weeks before receiving RESEA services. Ms. Gaddis lost her position working in customer service and was looking for a new position in data entry. Ms. Gaddis has a bachelor’s degree and many years of administrative experience. Ms. Gaddis was having difficulties finding a new position due to her age. After meeting with Ms. Lundi, RESEA Specialist, Ms. Gaddis was referred to the Employability Skills Training workshop, Modern Day Job Search for Mature Workers, as well as CareerEDGE and ONet. Ms. Gaddis was also provided with EmployFlorida job leads and action steps to achieve her goals. On 12.8.22, Ms. Gaddis was offered a position with Dr. Matthew Hutchinson OD PA. She is now working full-time as a receptionist, earning a wage of $13.00 per hour. Ms. Gaddis is very excited about this new position, and we wish her the very best!

To Whom it may concern, Hey Mr. Ted, just sitting here talking to my wife about our situation, as you know, I support her and her family, so when work and home dried up we became anxious messes. I was telling her about you the other day. Anyways, you have made it possible through this work thing for me and her to have anxiety free conversations again, which has brought her much joy and peace. I really appreciate this. When she's content and at ease it makes my job as a man a lot easier, and I enjoy watching her flourish. You’re a good man Ted, I don't really know you, but what I do know reminds me that my personal character goals are obtainable and, from what I see in you, will be enjoyable. You did a lot more than hook me up with a job in all this, God bless you and yours, and Thank You Koda Purvis

Christopher Claeys attended his RESEA appointment in-person at the Brandon Center on 9.13.22 meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Massiel Luna. Mr. Claeys had been searching for work for about a month before receiving RESEA services. Mr. Claeys lost his position working as a mortgage processor and closure and was looking for a new position in the accounting or mortgage industry. Mr. Claeys has a Master of Business Administration and experience within accounting and mortgage processing. Mr. Claeys was experiencing some barriers finding an acceptable salary, thus finding it difficult to find a new position. After meeting with Ms. Luna RESEA Recruiter, Mr. Claeys was referred to an Employability Skills Training workshop, the WIOA program, CareerEDGE and ONet. Mr. Claeys was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. On 10/10/22, Mr. Claeys was offered a position with Citigroup, Inc. Mr. Claeys is now working full time as an VP – FRSS Risk Weighted Assets, earning a salary of $100,000 per year. Mr. Claeys is gaining valuable experience working in a field that he enjoys, while earning a great wage that allows him to support his family.

Maria Velez attended her RESEA appointment on 7/5/22 meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Eva Lundi. Ms. Velez had been searching for work for 2 months before receiving RESEA services. Prior to working with RESEA, Ms. Velez was proactively working with CSTB by visiting and working within the Resource Room. She was also a previous RESEA participant in 2019. Ms. Velez lost her position working in customer service and was looking for a new position continuing in customer service. Ms. Velez has a high school diploma and experience working with customers and with many types of office equipment. After meeting with Eva Lundi RESEA Recruiter, Ms. Velez was referred to Modern Day Job Search for the Mature Worker, as well as CareerEDGE and ONet. Ms. Velez was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. On 7/11/22, Ms. Velez was offered a position with WIPRO. Ms. Velez is currently working full time as a Customer Service Representative, earning a wage of $15.00 per hour. Ms. Velez is now gaining valuable experience working in the field that she enjoys. We celebrate her success!

After meeting with her RESEA Recruiter, she was referred to additional Employability Skills Training workshops, the WIOA program, CareerEDGE and ONet. She was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. Ms. Bailey attended several workshops, including Job Search Strategies in a Virtual World, Labor Market Information, Mock Interviews, Hiring Test Strategies, Resume Development and Choosing The Right Employer. What was the final result? What did the customer accomplish? Did they complete training, secure employment, gain additional skills? What was the overall impact? (2-3 sentences) On June 6, 2022, Ms. Bailey was offered a position with Moffitt Cancer Center. She is now working full time as an Oncology Technician, earning a wage of $14.50 per hour. Ms. Bailey is gaining valuable experience working in a field that she enjoys, while earning a salary that gives her the ability to be self-sufficient.

“I have enjoyed working and learning from Rose and all the other CareerSource Staff. Everyone is helpful and pleasant to work with. I enjoy the relaxed office atmosphere. Also, I love working with our diverse customers and learning from them while helping them. “

Mr. Martin attended his RESEA appointment virtually on 10/3/22 meeting with RESEA Specialist, Natasha De Souza. Mr. Martin had been searching for work for 1 month before receiving RESEA services. Mr. Martin lost his position working as an assistant general manager and was looking for a new position as a general and operations manager. Mr. Martin has a high school diploma and experience in management. Mr. Martin was not finding many positions that would be a good fit for him and was finding it difficult to secure a position. After meeting with Natasha RESEA Specialist, Mr. Martin was referred to an Employability Skills Training workshop, the WIOA program, CareerEDGE, the EF Virtual Recruiter and ONet. Mr. Martin was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. Mr. Martin attended his workshop, Marketing Yourself on 10/5/22. After approximately one month, Mr. Martin was offered employment. Starting on 11/2/22, Mr. Martin began a position with the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. We celebrate his success!

Janina Lewis attended her RESEA appointment virtually on 10/3/22 meeting with RESEA Specialist, Natasha De Souza. Ms. Lewis had been searching for work for 1 month before receiving RESEA services. Prior to working with RESEA, Ms. Lewis was proactively working with CSTB by researching and registering for the TechBoost program. Ms. Lewis lost her position working as an Operations Coordinator and was looking for a new position as a Compliance Officer. Ms. Lewis has her GED and experience in hospital coordination. Ms. Lewis was experiencing some barriers with not finding the right job leads and was finding it difficult to find a new position. After meeting with Natasha RESEA Specialist, Ms. Lewis was referred to an Employability Skills Training workshop, the Resource Room, the WIOA program, CareerEDGE and ONet. Ms. Lewis was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. Ms. Lewis attended her workshop, Employment Success, and was successfully enrolled in the TechBoost program, starting a training program with Computer Coach working to increase her skills in Power BI Desktop and Microsoft Excel. On 10/31/22, Ms. Lewis was offered a position with Aston Carter. Ms. Lewis is now working full-time as a Case Analyst, earning a wage of $29 per hour. Ms. Lewis is gaining valuable experience working in a field that she enjoys, while earning a salary that gives her the ability to be self-sufficient.

"I attended the Mock Interview workshop and learned a lot of great tips and tricks. I have worked in HR and interview myself, so the questions presented, and the process mock interviewing were not new to me. However, Roberto was able to give me some great insight with some excellent response that were specific to my situation"

To Whom it may concern, I was in a transitional housing program at New Beginnings in Tampa when I first met Mr. Davis. He advised me that he had contacts with FDOT and had just placed another Veteran at Roadsafe and I was excited. I expressed interest in the same job, and Mr. Davis provided guidance and direction on how to apply and he sent my resume to the client. After I applied Mr. Davis made several calls on my behalf and a week later I was hired. In addition, he put me in contact with another agency HVRP an order to get the supplies needed for the job. I'm extremely grateful for his services and the speed at which he was able to perform them. He is a master at his craft and I appreciate all he has done for me. Anthony McCarthy

" I love that CareerSource is always here to support me even if I come from a financially or physically disadvantaged background"

"Mrs. Norma, I appreciate all your help and advice. Appreciate your honesty and it was nice to be your co-worker for a short time you kept it real. Thank you."

Imani Davis saw online that Career source was advertising a new program that would allow the client to get training in the cyber security field. After the program, Imani Davis wanted more training to sharpen her skills and started doing research on different opportunities that would allow her to grow and develop the skills acquired from the ACE Cyber Security program. Imani Davis found this opportunity and applied.

CSTB assisted Ms. Metzger with a childcare referral to School Readiness so that she could return to work immediately. CSTB also assisted customer with job searches and resume writing skills.

Amaya came to Florida only being able to speak Spanish. She is not currently a citizen of the U.S. and is unable to work as a result. While in the SNAP E&T Program, the SNAP team has been able to help her enroll her in ESOL classes at no cost to her. This has allowed her to stay in compliance with the SNAP Program while learning English. Amaya is attending all of her ESOL classes and is learning more English each day.

Mr. Daniel Perez was a long-term unemployed customer, 36 weeks. Although he has an AA in Arts, he was unable to obtain permanent employment. As he stated, during this difficult period he utilized his time to build his "self-worth" to obtain better opportunities. He was enrolled in the IT Security Program with Computer Coach, through the TechBoost Special Grants program. Mr. Perez has always had a motivation to excel; Techboost has been a great contributor in building his self-esteem and providing the necessary tools to succeed. Mr. Perez is extremely grateful and appreciative to CSTB and the Techboost program.

Insight scope of how business works and taught me how to hustle and work very hard. I learned how to “work harder now and relax in the future.” It was a very positive experience.

Jose lost a job and was hesitant to go back to work due to a back injury. In his down time, he discovered that he had a strong interest in the IT field and even took some free online courses. Once Jose received my call while I was doing outreach, he had never heard of us but was pleased to hear about the program! As you can see his eagerness toward the program carried right into a successful outcome and the Get There Faster grant is exactly what he needed.

Ms. Neal had several barriers to employment. Customer was in need childcare assistance, professional clothing, and assistance in obtaining her HSD to obtain employment that would assist her in becoming self-sufficient. Due to participant having these barriers, she was limited with employment opportunities which have been mainly minimum wage jobs. Ms. Neal was able to secure employment as a Residence Care Assistant at Central Tampa ALF working 40 hours a week earning $13.00 while she continues working on her HSD with Penn Foster. Customer is now on Transitional Status receiving Transitional Child Care.

How did we help them? Financial or job search related, etc.? (5-8 sentences) Ms. Luna assisted Ms. Wilson through her RESEA appointment, discussing her goals, barriers, and beneficial services. Ms. Wilson was referred to the WIOA program, Alison Online Learning, CareerEDGE, Workforce Skills for the 21st Century and CareerSource Tampa Bay Employability Skills Workshops. Ms. Wilson was provided with Labor Market Information which gave her detailed information regarding positions available, expected salary and different certifications that she could research. Ms. Wilson successfully secured employment with EXL Legal as a Project Analyst on April 4th, 2022 earning $25.00 per hour. This new position allows Ms. Wilson to continue her experience and study in the legal field to eventually pursue her long-term goal of obtaining a position in Real Estate Law.

"Hey Mr. Ted, just sitting here talking to my wife about our situation, as you know, I support her and her family, so when work and home dried up we became anxious messes. I was telling her about you the other day. Anyways, you have made it possible through this work thing for me and her to have anxiety free conversations again, which has brought her much joy and peace. I really appreciate this. When she's content and at ease it makes my job as a man a lot easier, and I enjoy watching her flourish. You’re a good man Ted, I don't really know you, but what I do know reminds me that my personal character goals are obtainable and, from what I see in you, will be enjoyable. You did a lot more than hook me up with a job in all this, God bless you and yours, and Thank You" Koda Purvis

"I was very glad that Mr. David Lurie was with me all the way during my employment process. Mr. Lurie went above and beyond for me with multiple follow-ups with Human Resources for Busch Gardens while waiting for my background check to process. I give Mr. Lurie the credit he deserves in me getting employed and is a great person and highly recommended to get you a job."

This success story is about Zaria Bailey. She attended her RESEA appointment virtually on April 4, 2022, meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Eva Lundi. Ms. Bailey had been searching for work for 2 months before receiving RESEA services. Prior to working with RESEA, Ms. Bailey was proactively working with CSTB and had attended an Employability Skills Training workshop, Professional Communication.

Mr. William (Bill) Rynknoski came into the Brandon center through the RESEA program in August of 2021. He held a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and was looking for a position as a Project Manager.

This success story is about Mr. Anthony Juliano. Mr. Juliano is a Veteran who served in the Army, having an honorable discharge. He attended his RESEA appointment at the Tampa Center on 5.31.22, meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Eva Lundi. Mr. Juliano had been searching for work for about 3 weeks before receiving RESEA services.

It gives me immense pleasure and delight to write this character reference for Mr. Ted Davis, in my opinion the "Best DVOP” in Hillsborough County! He is an exemplary advocate and mentor for the veterans and spouses of vets seeking competitive employment, educational training, affordable housing, and community resources. I was at very low and tough time in my life several months ago in providing quality of care for my severely ill parents back in Maryland; and Mr. Davis continued to encourage and uplift my spirits through his numerous emails /jobs leads and consistent follow-up calls just to see how I was doing personally as well as with my professional job searches. I salute and applaud his compassion, dedication, and commitment to meeting the needs of veterans seeking gainful work. He goes beyond the call of duty, and I just wanted to utilize this platform of communication to show my deepest appreciation for his overwhelming support, vocational expertise, high level of professionalism/integrity and foremost his genuine kindness during such a tumultuous time of my life. He also has the unique ability of “bringing out the best in everyone around him! Mr. Davis reinvigorated my hope as I mentioned before to continue to apply for jobs of interest despite my deep grief in the passing of my Dad back in May; and as result I was able to obtain competitive employment working in the capacity of an “Employment Placement Strategist” for a Federal grant within the Bureau of Prisons. I have nothing but good news and things to say about Mr. Ted Davis and I strongly hope fellow veterans, spouses of vets and staff recognize his true talents, skills and highly driven ambitions in working with esteemed Veterans! Careatha M. Burton

I am blessed to find a Veteran like Mr. Ted Davis that provided services and truly cared about me throughout this entire process. Mr. Davis constant follow-up at times when I needed it the most meant the world to me. I had no confidence or self-worth until Mr. Davis, and I worked together and now I have a job that I love and I will be changing my life. All I can say if there is such a thing as angels Mr. Davis is one of them. Mr. Davis a Marine Veteran picked me up and assisted in changing my live and I will never forget him. From the bottom of my heart thank you so much

This success story is about Lisa Zeoli. She attended her RESEA appointment Virtually on 06/07/2022 meeting with RESEA Recruiter, Massiel Luna. Lisa had been searching for work for about five months before receiving RESEA services. Lisa lost her Global Payroll Manager position working in Invest Cloud, back in January 2022 and was looking for a new position in the Human Resources field. Lisa has a Bachelors’ degree in Business Management, also a Society of Human Resource Management Certification (SHRM – CP). Lisa has over 15+ years’ experience in the HR field. Lisa says she has experienced some barriers with age, thus finding it difficult to find a new position. After meeting with Ms. Luna RESEA Recruiter, Lisa was referred to additional Employability Skills Training workshops, CareerEDGE and ONet. She expressed interest in taking more Human Resource Training that is called Certified Payroll Professional Certification. She was advised to apply for the WIOA Program to help with Tuition assistance. She was also referred to the CareerSource Tampa Bay website for helpful tools, programs, and information about upcoming job fairs within CSTB. Lisa was also provided with labor market information and advised regarding the use of EmployFlorida for resume creation and job searching. On 07/25/2022, Lisa was offered a position with Enforce Consulting. Lisa is now working full time as an Implementation Consultant, earning a wage of $50.00 per hour. Lisa is gaining valuable experience working in a field that she enjoys, while earning a salary that gives her the ability to be self-sufficient and continue to work in the Human Resources field that compliments her experience and knowledge.

Ezekiel Daniels reported to CSTB Brandon as a walk-in seeking employment and having questions about the Federal Bonding Program. With help from Al Chisolm, Mr. Daniels was able to learn more about the Bonding Program and complete the online process. On March 23rd, he was employed at Waste Management and later offered a higher position as team lead on June 15th.

Lanett Hall relocated to Tampa from Utah about 6 months ago, seeking employment for a fresh start. She filed for unemployment and used the CSTB job search resource room. On May 24th, the customer reported she was seeking assistance in applying for food stamps and was given information and instructions by CSTB Staff to start the application process. Ms. Hall reported that she is successfully receiving food stamps and that she is very grateful for the services she received at the CSTB Brandon Center from Angela Roberts and Al Chisolm.

"We look Forward to participating with CareerSource Tampa Bay on future workforce opportunities. Both Cindi Perez and Karoline Guerrero from your team were most professional and helpful."

When challenged with navigating the transition from military life to a civilian career, Ted Davis had my back. After serving in the Marine Corps for 6 years and completing an additional 4 years of intense academic study, my next mission was to transform my military experience into marketable skills, while leveraging my degree to move into not just a completely different career, but a brand-new world. The idea of searching for new jobs, explaining what I had to offer, and finding the right words to represent my worth was a mountain I didn't know how I was going to climb. With Ted Davis' guidance, I learned that everything I had experienced, the good, the bad, and the ugly, wasn't just the real-world experience organizations were looking for, it's what they needed. He vigilantly helped me with job leads, tapped into his vast network to help me refine my resume, and put me in touch with the right people who knew how to break into every industry I was interested in. By the end of my experience in the VR&E program with Ted Davis, I had industry-leading companies offering me positions that were higher than the original job I had applied for and at starting salaries in the 99th percentile or what new college graduates earn. I'm excited to begin the new career that I landed during my time working with Ted Davis and I'm motivated to set higher professional goals for the future. I can't thank Ted Davis and his team enough for helping me get this far. Semper Fidelis.

“The ACE program has helped me to find my path from straight out of high school and get started on my new career path . Not only did the ace program help me learn many new things it also provided education and a career, a great combo. A blessing is what I call it! I couldn’t be more grateful for the ACE program helping me get to where I want to be. When I got out of high school I had somewhat of a clue what I wanted to do but just wasn’t sure of how to get there. That’s exactly what the Ace program did for me helping me get to my destination and it’s only the beginning.”

“The program is more hands on, not like other programs which you just sit in a classroom. It helps learners like me, who learn by doing and not just instruction.”

“It was a very good event. I got the kind of applicants I was hoping for and it looks like we will be able to fill quite a few of our vacancies.”

“I can’t be more grateful for all the help and guidance you and your boss have provided.”

“I am very grateful for your help all this time. Thanks to God that I found this program that helped me achieve what I need. All workers from CareerSource helped me correctly. Life will keep going and I will never forget the good service that you provided to me and your respect and love.”

“I am a first-generation college graduate in my family, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity that Diana has helped me with through the WIOA Youth Program!”

Dear Zoe, Firstly, I’d like to start by thanking you for your unwavering support, encouragement, and dedication to my case and the thousands of others you have helped and will help achieve their goals and dreams. You personally have helped me overcome the demographic obstacles associated with being a young single mother, a domestic violence survivor, and a recovering addict. The first day I met you, you spoke words of encouragement and throughout the last 25 years, you continued to water those seeds you planted in me. I just want to give back what you gave me, will continue to lead in your footsteps, and pour into the young women who surround me with similar circumstances.

Dear Cynthia, As you know from January 22 to 24, 2020, I took the Advanced U.S. Immigration Law training that was taught by US immigration where I satisfactorily completed 24 hours of education and training in the U.S. Immigration Law. I am grateful to you and CareerSource for paying me for the training. As a result of that training in the next days I will register with the federal department of Justice as an immigration attorney. I will register with the Federal Department of Justice as an immigration attorney, and I trust that in near future I will get a job or open my office as an immigration attorney. I will keep you informed of these employment arrangements. I reiterate my thanks for your dedicated attention and professionalism to help integrate into the labor market.

I lead a Homeless Initiative at my church where we supply CARRE bags with essentials and feed the homeless/less fortunate. I was talking to a young woman by the name of Denise, who is currently homeless and going through a tough time. I spoke to her about connecting with Career Source Tampa Bay and possibly enrolling in some type of training, her eyes filled up with tears and she said, “I am I enrolled in the R3 Program, Monica is my career coach, this program is my only source of income at the moment and if it wasn’t for the program and the financial assistance, I wouldn’t have money to eat.” This moved me immensely I saw the impact this program has to the community we serve, and it came full circle. This program is changing the trajectory of our customer’s lives.

He worked full time but had to set a goal for himself to complete this in 6 months or less. He did in fact complete his high school diploma in less than 6 months. He is currently waiting for the COVID-19 pandemic situation to clear when the military will once again be bringing new recruits in.

Olivia Smith is a Junior at Hillsborough High School. The Summer Job Connection program allowed her to gain a lot of experience and prepared her to go into a profession. Her first job was teaching Korean to underprivileged girls as a part of her passion. She’s studied the language for 5-6 years and is currently learning Chinese and Spanish.

“So many people’s businesses were down. People were out of jobs, I mean me myself. I hadn’t worked…”

“It turned out to be a really awesome program. Definitely highly recommend it for other employees and people, it was pretty easy

“It’s a win, win, win opportunity. This is almost too good to be true, they’re going to compensate the employer to train me ...

Ready to Make Your Own Success Story?

Submit a Success Story

Ashanti Mcintosh

Margarita Bess

Yadira Veron Gonzalo

Quinton Barrett

Carmen Cruz

Stavon Davis Jr.

Pedro A. Rodriguez

Idalia Mendoza

Yolanda Valdez

Michelle DeCola

Dani Greenfield

Iman Williamson

Yeider Fang Tac

Shyheim Morales

Christian

Jaeda Chavis

Richard Kindell

Uriel Mazo

Carlos Vega

Charlette Marshall-Jones

Wandeera Butler

quinones kiara

Princess Oyedeji

Blair Mcghee

Janet Rios

Roger Funk

Eva Dianel

Amari Stubbs

Dario De La Torre Giavazzi

Marveyanna Alford

Theodore Mugnier

Colindres Miguel

Sean Shugarts

Miguel Leonardo-Colindres

Victor Quijano

Demarea Williams

Mattie Davis

Christine Skalla

Blake Shannon

Anissa Kristmann

Garth Scism

Gabriel Bartolomei

Sylvia Gaddis

Koda Purvis

Christopher Claeys

Maria Velez

Zaria Bailey

Elias Khabaz

Christopher Martin

Janina Lewis

Amy Graham

Anthony McCarthy

Shawn

Donteah Harris

Imani Davis

Emily Metzger

Amaya Chaviano

Daniel Perez

Laura Abreu

Jose Barreto

Ashley Neal

Susan Wilson

Koda Purvis

Ronald Hill

Zaria Bailey

William Rynknoski

Anthony Juliano

Careatha Burton

Bryan Gardner

Lisa Zeoli

Ezekiel Daniels

Lanett Hall

Darcy A Foster

Brandon Kell

Tranysha Downey

Gary Lowery

Liosdanis Rojas

Agency for Community Treatment Services, Inc.