Shilo Drives Toward a Second Chance

When Shilo came to Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium, she was determined to rebuild her life. As a returning citizen, she wanted to earn her Class A CDL license and find steady, meaningful employment to support her family. But before she could begin training, she needed help getting her truck repaired so she could travel to classes and attend required parole meetings.

Michigan Works! stepped in to help make that possible. Using a combination of Barrier Removal Employment Success (BRES), WIOA Adult, and EV Jobs Academy funding, staff assisted Shilo with her vehicle registration and insurance, covered the cost of critical front and rear brake repairs, and paid for her CDL-A training through Road Warrior Truck Driving School.

The support left Shilo feeling both grateful and hopeful. Living with her father and raising her teenage son, she’s focused on creating a stable, positive future for them both.

After earning her CDL-A certification, Shilo secured full-time employment with PAC Sanitation, earning $15.20 per hour.

“I’ve learned to figure things out and not make the same mistakes again,” Shilo shares. “My son keeps me accountable — I call him my ‘second parole officer.’ I lost five years of my life that I can’t get back, and I won’t let that happen again. Our lives are more important than that.”

With determination and the right support, Shilo is truly driving toward a brighter future.

Check out Shilo’s student testimonial shared by Road Warrior here: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1322247292800710