Stories from Elevate for Humanity graduates and partners.
"Elevate helped me get my CNA certification completely free. Now I am working at a hospital making good money and supporting my family."
"I was working at a warehouse making $14/hour when my case manager told me about Elevate. Finished the 12-week HVAC program, passed my EPA 608 on the first try, and got hired at a mechanical contractor two weeks later. Starting pay was $19/hour with benefits."
"I went from unemployed to making $20/hr within 6 weeks of finishing the program. The EPA 608 certification opened every door."
"WIOA covered everything — tuition, materials, the state exam. I passed on my first try and had a job offer before I even got my results."
"I was nervous about going back to school at 34 with two kids. The evening schedule made it possible. WIOA covered everything — tuition, scrubs, even my state exam fee. I passed my skills test and written exam the same week."
"I never thought I could afford training. WIOA funding changed everything for me and my family. Now I have a real career."
"Got my Class A CDL in 5 weeks. The pre-trip inspection practice is what saved me on test day — we must have done it 30 times in class. Driving for a regional carrier now, home on weekends."
"The support from enrollment to job placement was incredible. They really care about your success. I got hired before I even graduated."
"I had my CDL in 5 weeks. Schneider hired me before I even graduated. First year I made $58K."
"The apprenticeship model works because you earn while you learn. I am 8 months in at a shop on the east side and already building my own clientele. The Milady coursework is self-paced so I do it on my days off."
"I did 10 years in corrections and nobody would hire me. My WorkOne advisor referred me to Elevate. JRI funding covered the electrical program. Now I have my OSHA 10 and I am working with a union contractor."
"Supersonic Fast Cash trained me and now I run my own tax prep business during tax season. Changed my whole financial situation."
"The barber apprenticeship program let me earn while I learn. I am building my clientele while getting my hours."
"I didn't know where to start. This program showed me exactly what to do, step by step. Now I'm certified and working."
Sarah Johnson
"The training was real. The credentials matter. I got hired two weeks after finishing the program."
Maria Rodriguez
"No cost, no debt, and a real career path. This changed everything for me."
David Chen
"Getting paid to learn was the best part. By the time I got my license I already had a full client book."
"I came in with zero IT experience. 12 weeks later I had my Certiport cert and a job offer at $62K. Remote work too."
"What I appreciated most was the externship placement. They did not just teach us clinical skills in a classroom — they placed me at a family practice where I got real patient experience. That is what got me hired."
"Came in not knowing how to strike an arc. Left with OSHA 10 and enough stick welding hours to get on with a fabrication shop. The instructor was a retired pipefitter who actually knew the trade."
"I was nervous about drawing blood but the hands-on training gave me confidence. Now I work at a major lab."
"At 45, I thought it was too late to change careers. Elevate proved me wrong. I have a stable job with benefits now."
"I took the tax prep course because I wanted to do something from home. Passed my VITA certification and now I volunteer at a free tax site. Planning to get my PTIN and do paid returns next season."
"The flexible schedule let me train while caring for my kids. Now I help others and earn a good living."
"The electrical program opened doors I never knew existed. The career services team helped me land my dream job."
