This post is another bump for the Dislocated Worker Program.
The Northeast Arts Commune is a proud participant of Project CLIMB (Converting Layoffs into Minnesota Businesses), a component of the state-funded Dislocated Worker Program designed to assist folks who are laid off with training and consulting for a successful business launch or growth.
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It’s been three+ years now since I’ve been laid off. Thanks to funding from the Dislocated Worker Program and Project CLIMB I’ve been able to complete a tremendous amount of education and this post is another bump of encouragement for folks to seek out various resources that are available to them.
Through funds from the Dislocated Worker Program, I've been able to complete the following classes over the past three years:
This three day course through WomenVenture: Getting Ready
This two month course through WomenVenture: Small Business Essentials
These one day courses through The University of Minnesota Counting & Professional Studies:
Handling People with Tact and Diplomacy (hmm…can’t find this one on their website but this was the class number when I took it in 2019: x036), Build Teamwork and Commitment, & Delegate to Enhance Job Performance
These two day courses through The University of Minnesota Counting & Professional Studies:
Develop Leadership Skills & Negotiate for Agreement
Not to mention a plethora on free in-person (pre COVID) and online courses through places like SCORE
Over COVID, I have been able to finish up my BA of Psychology at Metro State.
Fall Semester 2020 I completed: Introduction to Diversity and Ethics in Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Social Psychology, Community Psychology, Professional and Career Applications of Psychology.
I’m wrapping up Spring Semester here (and graduating in a few weeks🥳) with: Fundamentals of Psychological Science, History and Systems of Psychology, Adult Development and Lifelong Learning, and Psychology of Personality.
More on what this education really means to me:
I grew up in a family where higher education, among many things, was difficult to afford. Three of my four brothers were able to fund their college education through joining the Marine Corps—the other brother applied for and received scholarships. I am, currently, 28-years-old with a 10-year-old daughter so I was, luckily, able to receive grants and take out loans for school because I had a dependent.
I completed my AA degree from Normandale Community College in 2013. I went on to the U of MN studying Child Psychology (and taking out loans to cover the extra tuition cost) from 2013-2015 but struggled pretty hard the second year and dropped out. After dropping out of the U of MN I had spent 9 semesters (plus two summers taking summer classes 😩) over 6 years and only had a two-year degree and student loan debt to show for it.
Being able to finish up with education without going into more debt is a gift I am immensely and eternally grateful for.
Now that I’m finishing up my degree my time with Project CLIMB is finally coming to a close. It’s been, truly, wonderful to have the privilege of using all these resources over the past three, plus years. I really encourage others to look into The Dislocated Worker Program.
Lastly, to be frank— I meant to make a post such as this sooner. Between distance learning for what became a full year with my 3rd and then turned 4th grader, working my side gig as a petsitter for Whiskers to Tails Petsitting, working as yo’ friendly neighborhood enumerator for the 2020 US Census, and then going to school Fall and Spring semester, I’ve been TOO busy—honestly. (The end of school could not come soon enough!!)
If I can be of help with any questions you may have about the dislocated worker program and/or Project CLIMB don’t hesitate to reach out! You can reach at me at: Jordyn@thenortheastartscommune.com