Our WEI Program is a Life Changer

The Workforce Equity Initiative program at Illinois Central College is truly a life changer. For single mother, O’Shaughnessy Boyd, the WEI program gave her a completely new outlook on her life.  

“The WEI program means so much to me. It gave me the confidence that I lost. The workforce readiness class gave me the confidence to put myself out there and try something new.” 

-O’Shaughnessy

Because of the wrap-around support that ICC offers to students in the WEI program, O’Shaughnessy was able to focus on her classes and not worry about other factors when it came to completing the program.  
“I had the resources I needed, from help with my kids to help from within the community. I had a job offer before I graduated and a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) certificate ready to get me into the workforce after graduation.” 

Now that O’Shaughnessy has gone through the WEI program, she is furthering their education with ICC, while raising her children and working at Caterpillar. “I know it’s very important to think of furthering my education in manufacturing engineering to help better my life in the long run. I know I need experience to improve my skills. I have what employers want and that feels great.” 

Shawny has become an advocate for the WEI program and is spreading the word about its success to others.  “I have recommended my friends to WEI, so they can completely change their career. This helped me tremendously, and it can for anyone else. I was a stay at home mom, I didn’t have money to put back into school or someone to help with childcare so I could go to class and complete a program. WEI did all of that for me and I am incredibly grateful.”