BTW JOBS PLUS ATX MEMBER RINGS IN 2018 WITH A NEW CAREER

Well before it was time for New Year’s resolutions, Booker T. Washington Terraces (BTW) resident Rachell Hammond decided to make a change in employment so she could better provide for her children. However, she needed help paying for childcare.

About six months ago, Rachell’s property manager referred her to Jobs Plus ATX, a workforce development program open to BTW and Chalmers Courts residents. Rachell was excited about the Jobs Plus Earned Income Disregard incentive that guarantees Jobs Plus members’ rents will not increase because of an increase in earned income.

“I participated in several events hosted by Jobs Plus ATX, and was inspired by other tenants getting jobs,” Rachell said. “My rent not going up helped me to focus on my budget and cleaning up my credit.”

Rachell was connected with Workforce Solutions, and received help with her resume and her job search. She continues to work with the Jobs Plus ATX staff with the goal of opening a bank account and improving her overall financial literacy.

Rachell now works in the hospitality industry at White Lodging Services, and both of her children are enrolled in daycare. Ultimately, she would like to help other parents find convenient, affordable childcare, no matter what their work schedules look like.

“It is difficult to find a daycare that opens in the evening for parents that work afternoon and evening shifts,” Rachell said. “I have a passion to open up a daycare center that allows parents with unconventional work schedules to drop off their children while they work.”