Working Stronger Together

At the clinic, Kayla must be ready for anything, from assessing a patient’s lung function, to drawing blood, to inserting IVs. “It can be intense,” she says. “Things don’t always go as planned, but I have a good head on my shoulders for urgent care.”

Kayla’s life was vastly different four years ago. “I was in active addiction, probably living on the streets. I wouldn’t have eaten in a week. You wouldn’t believe where I came from. I’ve had some bad days that were really traumatic and heart-wrenching. I thought I’d just be a statistic, but I’m not.”

Before Climb, Kayla worked in fast food, bartended, and waited tables. Having a steady income and a more family-friendly schedule has been a big shift for her daughters. “Now I can pay our bills. I can afford groceries to cook a delicious meal for my family. I can say to myself, ‘I worked for that. I earned that.’”

Kayla got married a few months ago and is getting her nursing degree at Laramie County Community College. “There will always be roadblocks and tough days,” she says, “but I definitely think that my happiness and confidence and grit will keep me moving up.”

Kayla’s increased earnings as a Certified Medical Assistant at an urgent care clinic have provided greater financial stability for her daughters.

“Now I can afford groceries to cook a delicious meal for my family. I can say to myself, ‘I worked for that. I earned that.“

Lora began working at Homax after graduating from Climb’s Commercial Driving (CDL) program in Gillette two years ago. She’s now one of several Climb moms fueling workforce growth in this industry. Lora hauls different types of hazardous materials in a “double” with two tankers that stretch more than 100 feet and can weigh up to 56 tons.

“Lora has a lot of drive,” Kory shares. “She’s a hard worker, takes pride in her work, is very punctual, and has a strong work ethic.”

“Lora has a lot of drive. She’s a hard worker and takes pride in her work.”

Climb’s employer partnerships include coaching and check-ins to help graduates and employers settle in for long-term success. During regular meetings with Kory and the Climb team, Lora got support reinforcing the communication skills she learned at Climb.

Lora continues to receive Climb’s guidance on how to handle different situations that come up at work. “My life has changed significantly,” she says. “I’m spending more time with my kids and talking to a lender about buying a home. We’re not just surviving now…we’re living.”

Malakye remembers how stressful life was before his mom Lindsay graduated from Climb’s Office Careers training in Casper two years ago. “We worried about how to make ends meet,” he says. “It caused me a lot of stress.”

Before Climb, Lindsay worked in a warehouse or on rail cars. “I had crazy hours,” she says. “There were times when I’d have to be at work by 4 a.m. and wasn’t there when my kids went to school.”

Malakye was at an age where he started to struggle more in life, Lindsay recalls. “He was getting into trouble and really just needed some extra time and attention.”

Lindsay’s Climb job placement was with the Natrona County Health Department, where she started as a receptionist and has since been promoted to Community Health Education Specialist. She teaches the public about sexual health and disease prevention. Her work also includes outreach to Casper’s homeless population.

“The steady schedule and routine of my job, along with my income and the parenting skills I learned at Climb, have made a big difference for my family,” says Lindsay, who also has two daughters, ages 12 and 3. “I’m so grateful for this as my oldest daughter enters her teen years, and I get to slow down and enjoy my youngest while she’s still so little.”

“At home, I started making everyone sit down and enjoy at least one meal together each day. This creates the opportunity for all of us to check in and celebrate the good things in our day while recognizing when someone needs extra support.”

Malakye graduated early from high school and is interested in becoming an electrician. “Our family is a lot better,” he says. “We just moved into a new house. My mom is more positive. She looks forward to each day and gets up with a smile.”

“I am 100% proud of my mom. She has come a super long way.”

Aubrey was going through a rough patch when she started Climb’s Commercial Driving (CDL) training in the Sweetwater Area this year. “I felt so low,” she says. “I was working part-time in housekeeping and only making $50 every two weeks. Climb felt like a way out.”

Right away, Aubrey noticed that Climb’s team and the other women in her program had a non-judgmental approach, both in her individual sessions with Climb’s licensed mental health provider and in group therapy.

“It was a safe space to pay attention to my emotions, and it made me realize that my mind is the thing that stops me the most. Your thoughts will hold you back, especially the way you speak to yourself on the inside,” she explains.

“My mind is the thing that stops me the most. Your thoughts will hold you back, especially the way you speak to yourself on the inside.”

As the Climb program progressed, the connection between these emotions and employment success became more clear to Aubrey. “In group therapy, we would literally map out difficult conversations we might have at work,” she says.

Now in her Climb job placement at a construction company, where she drives dirt and gravel to industrial sites, Aubrey says she is a valued team member and helps create a positive work environment.

“You might have a blown tire at work, and you will have bumps in the road in life, too,” she says. “Now I feel like I can show up in a better way. I love my job and my co-workers. Every day I’m geared up and ready to go.”

Azucena had no experience with computer software before Climb but discovered her aptitude for QuickBooks™ and Microsoft Office™ during the program. When it came time for her job placement, Azucena started as a Legal Assistant for Immigrant Hope, where she helps community members navigate the legal process.

“I felt isolated as an immigrant for a long time,” she says. “I like knowing that I’m helping my community because this is our home. I love it here—it’s the best place to raise my girls.”

“I like knowing that I’m helping my community because this is our home. I love it here.”

Lulu, who was in the same Climb program as Azucena, also gravitated toward a nonprofit for her job placement because, she says, “It meant that I could change someone’s life.” Lulu works as a Bilingual Victim Advocate for the Family Safety Network. She attends court hearings with clients and helps them understand the resources that are available in the community to help people facing domestic violence.

“I wouldn’t have gotten this job without Climb,” Lulu says. “It gave me the confidence to pursue a professional career.”

Across the state, many Climb graduates support their communities by working at nonprofits. Recent Teton Area graduates making a difference include:

• Andrea, Friends of the Teton River
• Yanet, One22
• Estefania, Community Resource Center of Teton Valley
• Azucena, Immigrant Hope
• Edith, Habitat for Humanity