Success Stories

Atenas Vallejo

My name is Atenas C. Vallejo and I enrolled into the EMPOWER Program in February 2006, almost a year ago. When I came to the office I was really confused about school and I didn't have a job. I had only been in the United States for about 5 months. My ability to communicate in English was very limited. I remember the first day I talked to Mayra; she made me think positive about enrolling into school and about having a job.

In order to receive assistance through EMPOWER, I needed to attend the orientation, workshops and complete assessments. Once, I got all this done, Mayra and Nai helped me with school, by referring me to Merced Adult School to increase my English and math skills. They also helped me with career and labor market information. A couple months later I enrolled at Merced College and at the same time I became employed at Mc Donald's.

I appreciated the income through McDonald's, but that job wasn't what I really wanted to do. So, I talked to Mayra and she told me that EMPOWER could provide me with paid work experience so I accepted. I left my job at McDonald's and started work experience at the Employment Development Department (EDD) office. After being there for two and a half months; Mayra talked to me and gave me one of the best news I have ever had. She said "There is a possibility to hire you".

After hearing this I was really happy, but I couldn't believe it. One month later everything was set in place to become a state employee through the Employment Development Department. From that moment on I felt like the luckiest person to be apart of the EMPOWER Program. EDD's organization and perfect coordination made it possible for me to get hired, as I have witnessed.

Now that I'm working with the EMPOWER & YOP Programs, I want to give back to the programs and the individuals who assisted me with my efforts to succeed. I will help other youths in the same manner as the program has helped me!