HPOG Success Story: Jacquitra at South Carolina Department of Social Services

Publication Date: September 9, 2021
Current as of:

Columbia, SC

Project HOPE: Healthcare Occupations Preparation for Employment

Jacquitra smiles in her scrubs at work

Who:
Jacquitra is a single mother of a special needs eight-year old son working as a teacher’s assistant.

When: Applied: 2018; Employed: 2018
She applied to Project HOPE: Healthcare Occupations Preparation for Employment and began a five-week bootcamp training in January 2018. After completing bootcamp, Jacquitra began Phlebotomy training in May 2018. She finished the program in July 2018, received her national certification in August 2018, and obtained employment shortly after.

Why: Make a Better Life
Jacquitra was inspired to join HPOG after observing the growing healthcare industry in South Carolina; specifically, jobs with livable wages and the opportunity to advance. Balancing parenting, work, and school were intimidating, but she had a great support system and received lots of encouragement from her family to pursue her dreams.

Where: South Carolina
She completed healthcare training at Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood, SC. As part of her training, Jacquitra also did job shadowing at Abbeville Medical Center, McCormick Family Practice, and Self Regional Healthcare. She is employed with The Blood Connection (TBC).

What: Phlebotomy
She received support services such as a gas card and uniforms. Jacquitra has been working as a full-time Phlebotomist at TBC for over two years now and loves her job; she now earns $33,000 annually.

“When no one else believed in me, Project HOPE staff did.” - Jacquitra

This Success Story was self-identified by the grantee and information contained in this document was provided by the grantee.

HPOG Success Story: Jacquitra at South Carolina Department of Social Services (PDF)