Success Stories: New Horizons Un-Limited
TweetThe people we work beside understand that it takes an extraordinary amount of effort to achieve their dreams. They know that they will be met with inordinate obstacles. As they fight to change the status quo, they continue to pursue their own path in life, fighting for every opportunity to prove their worth.
Students, writers, artists, computer technicians, entrepreneurs, people strive for more education and work experience in the hopes of finding employment; employment which allows them to make long term plans for their lives.
We recognize that employment may not be possible for everyone, but we believe that fulfillment can be found in many different ways and at every stage of life. Our computer recipients turn their computer into a means to become involved in their community or explore an art or education dream.
It is our mission to offer individuals the path toward a fulfilling life and gain a greater control of their future and we want to ensure a bright future!
Hear what program participants have said:
- Oh my gosh! This a wonderful program! You don't know how difficult it is to live in this world without a computer. I will be able to contact my doctor and pay my bills from home. This is a blessing! Thank you!"
- "The gift of the laptop helped me find out that I could, in fact, work with accommodations. My current plan is to find a permanent, part-time job as a grant writer where I can continue to do some work from home because of my health. It has and will play a key role in helping me become more financially independent. Thank you!!"
While there are a great many stories to share, following are just a few of the interns and consumers that have touched us over the years:
From Secondary School to Employment or Post Secondary Education
Through our partnership with various schools, employment providers, we have encountered young people just out of high school and contemplating their future. One thing is clear, they want to work, they want to contribute, they have the "work" skills to succeed, but not the "work" experience. They are stuck.How do they find an employer willing to invest in their potential, willing to review their talents and release their potential?
This is where New Horizons Un-Limited comes in. We are often the very first opportunity on what we hope stretches into a lifelong, fulfilling journey. Young people are well taught in typing, and knowledgeable with all office software. We evaluate their office skills and technical skills, work with their individual goals for employment and build on skills while giving them the opportunity to gain experience.
Here are two stories of transitioning to the work world: Mikal and Chris.
Mikal - Just Needed the Opportunity
Mikal had just graduated from high school, but needed an opportunity to show an aptitude for computer or information technology to pursue his career dreams. He expressed in his interview in 2016 that he knew he had an aptitude because he would spend time repairing cell phones. He proved himself to be hard working, well organized, and a creative problem solver.
Upon completion of his Employment Training and Work Experience with us we were able to recommend that he would be quite capable in computer repair and ready for continuing education or employment. Armed with a well deserved recommendation, Mikal, soon after, accepted work in cell phone repair.
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Chris - Pursuing Post-Secondary Education
Chris was working toward the goal of Information Technology through job experience and education in 2016. He hoped to go to the local technical college to study Electronics and Computers. Although Chris has challenges in communication he proved himself also a creative problem solver and hard worker. He was able to find new and better ways of working and communicating. He revised instruction manuals for our computer grant recipients and repair manuals.
As he developed his writing and technical skills, combined with his well-organized, independent work ethic, upon completion of his Employment Training and Work Experience with us, we were able to recommend that he would be quite capable in computer repair and ready for continuing education or employment. After completing his TWE, Chris was able to take education courses as he hoped and pursue his IT goals.
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Reinventing Employment or Fulfillment Later in Life
We have also encountered people who are facing health disabilities that have come on before they can reach retirement age. Their lives have been turned upside down, so they must start over to reinvent a path to employment and fulfillment.
Lou - Striving for the Future
Lou came for an Employment Temporary Work Assignment in 2018 and continued volunteering for NHU well beyond his TWE to learn as much as he can from his opportunity here. Lou has worked hard to complete his A+ certification. He tackles problems head on with research and skill and is a great asset for IT.
Lou attributes his difficulty in finding a job in IT to having a physical disability. One is unable to walk into an interview without disclosing a physical disability.
He points out that he has years of experience working, has a great work ethic and will be an asset and will be loyal to the company and to the employer because the job is very appreciated and he is ready to show what he can do.
Lou is in the middle of navigating an inaccessible world and we are offering him more opportunity to expand his work experiences.
Charlette - How Much a Computer Can Mean to a Life
In 2008, we met Charlette, a motivated person, who received her first Computer Grant from NHU. Life is physically challenging for her and she has faced years of living with the struggles of disability. We have continued to support her with her computer needs throughout these years and each time she has come back for more training and given volunteer time at NHU to give back to her community.
In 2016, she let us know how it was going with her new computer.
- "There are so many things that I am using my new computer to do. I continue to write my book on personal reflections and disability obstacles. The writing allows me to see how far I have come, how much I have grown spiritually, emotionally and have helped my self=esteem. This encourages me to go on.
I write because people with disabilities can get too inside themselves and feel they are the only ones, but each of us is not alone. I am hoping, what I write, can help others. That is why I like New Horizons Un-Limited, because they are getting the word out about disability."
Randy - Broadening His IT Knowledge Base for Employment
Having worked in manufacturing for many years, Randy had recently become concerned about his long-term job security. In response, he worked towards earning an Associate Degree in Applied Science � Computer Electronic Engineering Technology.
Randy earned his degree in 2010, but didn�t find an employment opportunity in his new field. Through DVR he started with Adonai Employment, expressed an interest in returning to computer-related work.In 2012 through his Temporary Work Experience Employment with NHU, Randy was able to evaluate his skill set and determine which direction he wanted to move within the field of Information Technology.
Working with several of our NHU lead volunteer technicians for one-on-one guidance and much needed hands on hardware and software configuration experience, when Randy�s temporary work experience ended, he was so thrilled with the progress he had made.
Barry - A PC Pro Schools Volunteer to a Freelance Repair Tech
We met Barry back in 2008 when we partnered with PC Pro Schools to provide hands on computer repair work to their students. Having been diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis a number of years earlier, Barry decided a career change was in order and pursued his dream of working with computers.
When Barry first joined us he had extensive software experience, but lacked hands on hardware experience. That all changed when he started as a volunteer computer refurbisher with NHU. Since then, Barry became a staple among our volunteers and took on the training and mentoring of new technicians.
Over the years, thanks to the experience he gained while volunteering for NHU, Barry has taken on several installation jobs with major corporations and continues to offer freelance computer repair and upgrade services throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. We are grateful to have him on our team.
Roslyn - From Single Mom to Community Advocate
Roslyn came to us as an applicant for our Computer Grant Program in the summer of 2009. She was pursuing a degree from Alverno College and found that utilizing the computer lab for her assignments proved to be too cumbersome and inconvenient. We were thrilled to provide her with the tools she needed to finish her degree!
Soon after, she expressed interest in completing an internship with us. In the Fall of 2009 as a volunteer intern through Alverno College, Roslyn took on every task we threw at her with enthusiasm. She proved to be so valuable that we offered her an administrative position in the spring of 2010. With her degree and her resolve she Roslyn had grown beyond her wildest expectations and had become a valued member of our NHU team.
Her story proves how perseverance and unending optimism pays off. We are honored to call you one of our own Roslyn!
Geraldine - On Her Way to Earning a College Degree
Geraldine received her first ever home computer via NHU's Computer Grant Program in August of 2006. She applied with the hopes that she might use the computer to take online classes and further her chances of a career. We have remained in contact with Geraldine over the years, providing information, encouragement, and technical support whenever needed. We've even upgraded her system to ensure it would keep up with the demands of her schooling.More than six years later, we were pleased to report that Geraldine graduated with an Associates Degree in the fall of 2013. According to Geraldine, "the computer you donated helped me a lot, especially with online classes. I could not have done this on my own and I am very grateful for your being there for me." And we too are grateful Geraldine that you have served as such an inspiration for us and others! We are so very excited to see where this journey leads you!
Charles - A Computer Newbie's Transformation
Charles was among one of the first individuals to receive a computer via our Computer Grant Program back in 2004. After receiving his computer, Charles spent several months just "tinkering", unsure of how exactly he could put this technology to its best use. Upon following-up with Charles, we found a man who was more than eager to learn, yet, too intimidated to move forward. We encouraged him to come in for some basic training. He promptly and enthusiastically accepted the offer.
After several weeks of training, the fear subsided and a hunger to learn took over. He not only learned the basics, but also mastered more advanced concepts such as spreadsheet calculations. Charles uses his newfound computer skills on a daily basis, be it through tracking inventory and resident meetings at his volunteer position with Hope Street Ministry or staying in touch with his loved ones via e-mail.
Charles is just one among many of our computer recipients that have applied this technology to their everyday lives. Besides Charles, we have aspiring poets and novelists and even a few potential entrepreneurs.
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