When Dana reached out to WorkLife Partnership, she was juggling the roles of employee, mother, and grandmother—and feeling the weight of it all. Ten months earlier, her daughter Gina discovered she was pregnant and would be raising the baby as a single mom. Gina worked throughout her pregnancy, but complications after her child’s birth forced her to take time off, and the family had been trying to catch up ever since.
One of their biggest concerns was childcare. At $800 a month, it was draining their finances, and they kept getting denied for the CAPS childcare assistance program. Dana wasn’t sure why—until her Navigator discovered that student parents were a priority group for CAPS. Inspired by this, Dana and Gina discussed the idea of Gina returning to school, a goal that had been delayed by trauma during the pandemic. Gina shared her interest in radiology, and the Navigator found nearby programs that could set her on that path—and potentially unlock access to subsidized childcare.
But the Navigator didn’t stop there. Dana admitted how hard it had been stepping into the role of provider again at her age. The Navigator helped her schedule sessions with a Sholder practitioner for emotional support, covered her full utility bill, and provided resources for staying cool during the summer months.
By their next check-in, Dana felt a noticeable shift—lighter, more hopeful, and excited about upcoming work opportunities. She had started setting boundaries and communicating more openly with her family to prevent burnout. She also shared her own interest in pursuing education to help boost her income. The Navigator researched programs, explained the process, and identified payment plan and WIOA funding options to help her take that next step.
In their final follow-up, Dana shared that things were looking up—more hours at work, support from her church, and real momentum toward long-term goals. She also asked about mental health support for Gina, and the Navigator made sure both women had everything they needed to get connected to WLP’s services.
Through personalized support, encouragement, and tangible resources, WorkLife Partnership helped Dana and her family not only get through a tough season—but start building a stronger future.
