NEXGEN Customer Finds His Path to Success Through Union County Community Action (UCCA) and Centralina NEXGEN Services

Calvin Brown from Wadesboro,NC was enrolled into theCentralina WDB sponsored NEXGEN services on January 13,2015." During his time in high school he wasn"t able to pay attention due to his ADHD and problems that he was having with classmates."" His grandmother decided to withdraw him from Anson High School after she spoke with Garrett Malone,Career Development Specialist with Union County Community Action (UCCA) about the NEXGEN services." He was coming into the program as a high school dropout who never had any work experience." He was living with his grandparents and didn"t have much guidance on what he wanted to do." He had an outgoing personality and loved to talk but didn"t know how to harness that energy into something productive.""

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Once he was enrolled into NEXGEN services,UCCA assisted him with enrolling into the GED program at South Piedmont Community College (SPCC)." He was also given an opportunity to gain work experience when he was placed with the Town of Wadesboro"s Street Department as a laborer during his internship." UCCA also assisted Calvin with obtaining his drivers licenses by contracting with Monroe Driving School." He attended numerous leadership sessions taught by Malone and various others while learning the important attributes employers look for in an employee." He also attended theNorth Carolina Youth Summit,field trips and other events which gave him a better perspective on what it takes to be a leader and some of the keys to success.

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His supervisor,John Willoughby was impressed with Calvin"s dedication,his soft skills,and his attitude." After interning at the Town of Wadesboro off and on for a little over a year,Calvin was offered full-time employment April 22,2016. He is now working full-time as a Street Laborer where he"s making $12.00 an hour with full benefits." He is continuing to go to his GED classes on Tuesday"s and Thursday afternoons and is very close to obtaining his GED." His goals now are to obtain his CDL License so that he can operate some of the more advanced equipment and to save money so that he can buy a vehicle and move out on his own." UCCA and the NEXGEN Council is extremely proud of Calvin!

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"For more information on the Centralina WDB NEXGEN Council and how they are preparing young adults to be the Next Generation of talent for area employers,please visitwww.centralinaworkforce.com or contact Solomon McAuley,Centralina WDB NEXGEN Specialist at (7040 348-2725 or"smcauley@centralina.org."