When four coworkers and I lost our jobs to restructuring, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do. I had been taking graduate classes to be a counselor who helps people suffering from addiction. A neighbor asked me if I knew about the program that helped retrain people who lost their job. One thing led to another and I was introduced to the (Minnesota) Dislocated Worker Program through CMJTS.

I have always had a job, always paid my way, and never wanted any charity. What I was offered through the dislocated worker program was a way to finish my education and apply for Licensure as an Alcohol and Drug Counselor without having to eat up all of my 401K.
Yes, I had to do the work but I didn’t have to do it alone. CMJTS offered encouragement and emotional and financial support. Finally, my education, internship, testing, and license application were finished. Now I needed to find a job. My weakness was resume writing and I was blessed with Janelle who is a resume wizard. Her skills gave me complete confidence with the documentation of my experience and let me focus on interviewing.

What a blessing it has been to be part of the dislocated worker program and my gratitude goes out to Michelle who started with me at CMJTS, and to Janelle who was with me until the end of the program and the beginning of my employment. I am now a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor at Teen Focus Recovery Center running the adult outpatient program. I humbly thank all involved. It took a village and I will be forever grateful.

~Marty