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Wayne County Healthy Communities, a nonprofit organization providing health services to community members regardless of their ability to pay, faced a unique challenge. Their Chief Operating Officer, Amaal Haimout, reached out to the Business Services team, consisting of Melissa Skardoutos and Lori Timberlake, seeking support to hire and train Sarah Isameel as an Administrative Assistant. Although Amaal had previously collaborated with the Youth Program in Highland Park, this was her first interaction with the Business Services at the SEMCA Michigan Works! Wayne American Job Center.

Sarah Isameel began her job search in July 2023, aiming for a position as an Administrative Assistant to utilize her Bachelor of Science in Management degree. Despite her extensive overseas experience, she struggled to find employment in the US due to her non-US degree and lack of domestic work experience. In September 2023, Sarah started volunteering as an Administrative Assistant Intern at Wayne County Healthy Communities. Her personal experience with financial barriers and her immigrant background, combined with a passion for serving underserved communities, made her a perfect fit for the organization.

Impressed by Sarah’s exceptional performance as an intern, Amaal referred her to the Wayne AJC Business Services team. Sarah was then introduced to WIOA Program Manager Barry Brickey and enrolled in the WIOA Adult program. This collaboration enabled Business Services to create a training plan tailored to Sarah’s needs, equipping her with the necessary skills for full-time employment while alleviating some of the financial burden of her training for Wayne County Healthy Communities.

Sarah shared, “The On-the-Job Training helped me understand the work and reduced the confusion that often arises when starting a new job or task. I received all the support needed from the staff and management, which boosted my confidence. I could leverage my previous experiences and new skills to perform well in my role.” Her story highlights the significant impact of the partnership between Business Services and local employers, showcasing the importance of programs like On-the-Job Training.

Amaal Haimout expressed her satisfaction, stating, “I was very impressed with Sarah’s initiative, ability to take on any task, and her confidence gained throughout the On-The-Job Training. This led to her transition to a permanent Administrative Assistant within our organization. SEMCA Michigan Works! does an excellent job connecting individuals with the right organizations while addressing barriers such as finances and transportation. We look forward to placing more individuals like Sarah at our organization through the SEMCA Michigan Works! On-the-Job Training.”

Inspired by the successful partnership and positive outcomes, Wayne County Healthy Communities and SEMCA Michigan Works! Wayne AJC Business Services are now working together to explore ways to enhance talent retention and training reimbursement programs. This collaboration has proven to be a great success, setting a precedent for future initiatives.