Shavelle Gordon with Michelle Williams, Making Connections Career Coach

People used to tell Shavelle Gordon that she had attitude.

Her favorite teacher at Meyzeek Middle School, Ron Ramsey, called her "Mr. Holyfield because I was always fighting," says Shavelle, laughing.

But these days, her attitude has turned around, along with her life.

Last year, she was a single mom with a baby and a $7-an-hour job at a day care.

Then she met Ron Swope, a Making Connections career counselor, who connects Network members with jobs.  

He worked out a strategy to get her a job at Norton Healthcare.

First, he placed her with a janitorial service that contracts with Norton. While Shavelle worked for them, she was tempted by jobs from other employers.

Ron said," 'no, no, no'," says Shavelle. "He said, 'stick with me, I'm going to help you'."

Soon after, she was hired on the housecleaning staff at Norton, and Ron introduced her to Michelle Williams, Making Connections' career coach.

Michelle explained that Shavelle had to wait six months to be promoted out of housekeeping and into a medical job — a "patient care assistant." 

When that happened, Michelle helped her get free scrubs for her uniform. "She's been like a friend to me," says Shavelle.

A typical PCA makes $25,000 a year, according to job-search websites.  And Shavelle gets medical benefits, retirement, paid sick leave and vacation.

In addition, she can qualify for tuition assistance to get her nursing degree. 

"You work hard when you get here, but I think that's every job, she says. "If you're not coming to work, why come?"

Coming soon to a Neighborhood near you...  NETWORK NITE!

Food, festivities, door prizes and plenty of valuable information are all planned for Making Connections' Network Nite from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 18th at Lincoln Elementary School, 930 E. Main Street, in the Phoenix Hill Neighborhood!

The opportunities of the night are EDUCATION & WEALTH BUILDING!

The event is free and the public is welcome.

Future Network Nites have been scheduled.  MARK YOUR CALENDARS!  Locations to be announced soon:

• October 21 - Potter's House, at rear of Cable Missionary Baptist Church, 314 South Wenzel!
• November 20
• December 18 

NETWORK NEWS YOU NEED NOW!

The Network has spoken!

Money is on our minds these days.   Payday loans are costly, foreclosures are up, gas and food prices are high and we need help fast!

New financial services are needed in our neighborhoods for some relief from the strain.

Click here to provide your feedback on finances!

You could qualify for training to prepare you for a better-paying career, including  healthcare, trade, and office work. 

For more info, call KentuckianaWorks at 877-639-7559 and tell them the Network sent you!

Put Your Money to Work!

Louisville Asset Building Coalition and Making Connections have organized savings clubs for Network members —  informal meetings of people who have a goal and want support from their peers to stick with it.

The club meets the second and fourth Thursday of the month at 5 p.m. at the Presbyterian Community Center.  Call 292-6182 for more information.