State Representative Borton Recognizes Success of Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium’s 2025 Impact Award Winner—Chelsea Bolinger and New Life Pregnancy Resource Center

April 24—Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium was honored to have State Representative Ken Borton  recognize the success of Chelsea Bolinger and New Life Pregnancy Resource Center at the Michigan Works! Association Impact Awards.

The Michigan Works! Association’s annual Impact Awards celebrate those who are strengthening Michigan’s economy by actively creating jobs and developing fresh talent. The 2025 Impact Award Winner for Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium was Chelsea Bolinger and New Life Pregnancy Resource Center.

Chelsea is a young mother of three, a daughter, a sister, and an extraordinary, hard-working woman. When she started participating in the Partnership. Accountability. Training. Hope. (PATH) program, Chelsea had working experience in housekeeping, food service, and childcare. Ironically, child care was her main barrier to employment as her significant other at the time was out of the picture and she had no other social support.

Chelsea wanted to do better for her children and sought the help of the Michigan Works! Northeast Consortium and the state department of health and human services. During the first few weeks of participation, Chelsea was assigned to the Job Search Job Readiness activity, which afforded her the opportunity to seek employment while receiving cash assistance.

However, because of her criminal history due to addiction, she struggled greatly to find an employer who was willing to work with her. She continued to apply for similar jobs she’d held in the past, afraid to branch out and risk the unknown. Soon, however, Chelsea was assigned to participate in the Work Experience Activity which allowed her to gain new skills and experiences at the New Life Pregnancy Center of Gaylord.

At the Center, Chelsea assisted with sorting donated items, cleaned and sanitized work areas, and provided clerical assistance as needed. Week after week, Chelsea continued to volunteer as she felt a sense of belonging, value, and appreciation. The staff there welcomed her with open arms and without hesitation or judgment. In fact, they were so impressed by Chelsea's commitment that the Center requested a funding adjustment from its board to employ Chelsea.

It was in March of 2024 that Chelsea became a full-time employee.

Michigan Works! applauds New Life Pregnancy Resource Center for being a key part of Chelsea Bolinger's success story and commends their investment in people and supporting skills training to help workers grow!

“If it wasn’t for Michigan Works!’ help, we wouldn’t be where we are now. We wouldn’t have what we have today,” shares Chelsea Bolinger.

Watch the honoree video at https://youtu.be/q8BnTQauHY4?si=7gF3BHQI02BxFTCX