GR woman helped by Climb Wyoming
Cheryl James shares her story about how Climb Wyoming helped her provide for her family during the Green River City Council meeting Tuesday night. James is one of many women the organization has provided job training and support for since its inception.
For Cheryl James, Climb Wyoming has given her the opportunity to provide for her family and stay in a community with a great school system.
James, speaking to the Green River City Council during an update from the organization, spoke about her experiences before applying for the program and how CDL training offered by Climb Wyoming changed her life.
Originally from New Mexico, James came to Green River when her husband accepted a job in the area. James took a job at McDonald's, but eventually moved with her husband as his work took him from state to state. Her marriage ended in divorce and she returned to Green River specifically to provide her child a better education than what was available in New Mexico.
James took a job at the as a janitor at a local bank, saying she was willing to clean toilets to ensure her child had access to a quality education. James said she was using SNAP benefits and used Medicaid to provide healthcare for her child.
She said she knew Climb Wyoming's Sweetwater County Director, Brittany Gray, a year before signing up for the program.
During her first look at the program, Climb offered training in nursing, but heard the program offered CDL training, which she felt more comfortable with. When the program started its CDL training classes, James applied to join and was accepted.
Early on, she knew she was in a unique program.
"As many states I've been in, I've never heard or seen a self help program like Climb," she said.
Along with the CLD classes, James said she had access to other programs and help, including money management.
After completing the program, James found a job and continues to be employed a year after her graduation.
"We don't have to struggle, I don't have to count change to get by," she said.
Gray said the program is currently working with another group of women to provide CDL training. Overall, she said the program in Sweetwater County has a 93 percent graduation rate, with 77 percent of graduates employed two years after their graduation. She also said 80 percent of the women who go through Climb's training programs are able to discontinue their use of SNAP and food stamps.
For James, she continues to be thankful for the program and has recently spoke to women in Climb's current CDL class.
"Climb is successful," James said.
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