Student Spotlight: Courtney Walker

Career Goal: To obtain a stable job and enjoy it.

Why did you join the program? The first thing that caught my attention was the child care and the compassion from Ms. Lauren when she was explaining the program to me. To me, she was the angel I needed in my life, because everything that was a burden was being lifted as she kept explaining.

What was the hardest part of the class? Nothing really, because I started the program with an open mind.

What has been your favorite part of the experience?  Everything, everything, everything! From meeting great friends, to sweating in the sun, to being rained out, to pinching my finger with a tape measure (lol), my experience was awesome! 

What are your hopes for the future? To use my education and experience to gain stability. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Join it! You will not regret it, I promise!

Student Spotlight: Yasmin Lang

Career Goal: My career goal is to become proficient in the ins and outs of houses, from the ground up, as well as restoring older homes.

Why did you join the program? I joined the WinC program as a means to further my independence and build onto my own skills to become more self-sufficient.

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part of the class was opening up with my fellow classmates. 

What has been your favorite part of the experience? All onsite work, especially working on a storage roof installing vents was very fun. (You might have seen me on the news.)

What are your hopes for the future? To have a career I'm passionate about. To see more women and girls having an interest, and careers, in non-traditional jobs. To rebuild Biloxi homes impacted by Hurricane Katrina and bring back affected communities. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Keep pushing and don't give up. Stay open-minded, be eager to learn, and ask questions. Do not make this harder than it has to be. Use all resources offered to you.

Student Spotlight: Wyanesta Coleman

Career Goal: To work as a pipe welder for Ingalls apprentice program.

Why did you join the program? I was tired of working for jobs that barely paid my bills, didn't cover my daycare, and didn't have affordable health care.

What was the hardest part of the class? Workouts in the morning with Simone. 

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Listening to employers talk about their jobs and why they need women, and passing my test.

What are your hopes for the future? That I get in the apprentice program at Ingalls, pay my car off, get land and a house, and take my kids on real vacations. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? If you're tired of being underpaid, have little or no experience, and cannot afford childcare, this is a program that is worth the sacrifice.

Student Spotlight: Kourtney B. Walter

Career Goal: To be accepted into an apprenticeship program and have a career that will help me be self-sufficient.

Why did you join the program? I was homeless and unemployed. My sister, Rachael C., told me I should come to the info session with her. I loved what I heard and just went for it. No regrets! 

What was the hardest part of the class? Nothing about the class was hard! Everything was straightforward!

What has been your favorite part of the experience? My favorite part of the class was meeting women from different walks of life, ALL who were loving and inspirational! Love you guys, y 'all are amazing. I also loved learning the materials I needed to be a successful tradeswoman.

What are your hopes for the future? My hopes for the future are to become self-sufficient, have a banging career, and be surrounded by friends and family that support my future decisions! 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Go for it and don't look back! Come in with a great attitude and leave with skills that will help you live a good life!

Student Spotlight: Shanon Dowdle

Career Goal: To enter a trade that I enjoy and that will allow me to be financially stable.

Why did you join the program? To gain more confidence in myself, give myself a more positive outlook on life, and also to cement a stable future for my family.

What was the hardest part of the class? Coming out of my shell and opening up to perfect strangers

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Getting my hands dirty on the job sites and having the feeling I've gained confidence in myself

What are your hopes for the future? To love what I do for a living and become financially stable. I hope to learn about the construction field and become a part of an industry that is constantly improving the lives of people and changing the world, one building, bridge or house at a time.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Whatever obstacle is in your way of joining this class can be worked out with the help of the wonderful people in this program. I came from out of state and left everything I've had behind. You can do anything you set your mind to. Jump in headfirst in whatever you do - you won't regret it.

Student Spotlight: Shurparis Tilley

Career Goal: To be my own boss!

Why did you join the program? To receive more credentials and gain skills that I know I'm capable of doing, but haven't had a chance to prove.

What was the hardest part of the class? Nothing was hard about the class - it's life that tried to knock me down, but I still manage to get up and make it every day for my family.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Everything about the program - the book work is helpful, the hands-on is awesome, and for people to trust a group of women to build their projects is just a great feeling.

What are your hopes for the future? I want to be my own boss one day, but until then, I would love to go into a field where I can use the knowledge and tools I've learned through the program. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? If you love dirt and boots, this is the program for you, LOL. But seriously, this is a great opportunity with major benefits - don't pass it up!

Student Spotlight: Theresa Thomas-Ray

Career Goal: To become a certified journeyman in either pipefitting or electrical.

Why did you join the program? To get certified in either pipefitting or electrical. 

What was the hardest part of the class? The math test.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Working with my hands and facing different challenges every day.

What are your hopes for the future? To have the income to buy things that I want, not just need. 

Student Spotlight: Anna Hays

Career Goal: Land a great paying career, one that I can retire from.

Why did you join the program?To get the free training and experience needed to start a new career. 

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part of the class was I stressed over upcoming tests.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Learning the ins and outs of hand tools, power tools and working as a team. The program helped me work on my self-confidence.

What are your hopes for the future? A career that pays well, so I can get off the SNAP program. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Just do it! It is a great program with great staff! I wish this program was around in the '80s.

Student Spotlight: Dawn Taylor

Career Goal: To land a successful job in the welding or electrical field.

Why did you join the program? I want to be able to provide a successful future for my family. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Trying to figure out how hard the math was going to be, and when I did, I was surprised at how easy it really was.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? The women I have met at WinC have become such a big part of my life. I'm sad that this part has to come to an end so soon.

What are your hopes for the future? To be able to make my family proud, as well as the instructors of the WinC program for supporting me and helping me to have a better future. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? It's one of the best things you'll do for yourself. There's no reason for failure because the women of the program set you up for success. 

Student Spotlight: Rachael Childress

Career Goal: To be accepted into a job program or electrical apprenticeship in Gulfport or at Ingalls.

Why did you join the program? I was in the stay-at-home mom funk with no skills, no trade, nothing to do but be crazy! I needed to do something with myself. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Working alongside women.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Working alongside women and learning to work well with them.

What are your hopes for the future? To have a great paying job, own a home that I built, and live the good life of outdoors fun. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Do it!!! This program changed my life dramatically! I felt I had no way out!! This program showed me I was wrong. It's a GOD thing! 

WinC Class 32 Project Featured on Local News

The hardworking students of Class 32 were featured in news stories on WXXV25 and on WLOX for their project in Gautier's city park. Students tore down and rebuilt a small bridge and helped repair the volunteer center. Several students were interviewed for these great stories:

WXXV25: Women in Construction Work on Projects with the City of Gautier

WLOX: Training Program Gives Women Boost into Workforce

Thank you to Gina Tomlinson at WXXV25 and Jonathan Brannan at WLOX for highlighting our students and program!

Student Spotlight: Shaakirah James

Career Goal: Being a business savvy, hardworking, confident, and humble businesswoman, and hopefully one day being able to give back to the world, ideally by building homes for the homeless and the future young adults.

Why did you join the program? I joined because it was a step into learning about carpentry and me being able to understand all aspects in having my own company in restoration/flipping houses. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Confronting myself, handling the heat with construction, learning to handle different personalities while keeping my cool.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Learning ME, seeing the finished product of my work and also as a team, and building my confidence and character.

What are your hopes for the future? Making myself and my family proud. Being able to support myself while affording travels, savings, and building myself to start my own business. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? If you're ready for a positive overhaul in your life, take the opportunity.

Student Spotlight: Jaidin Young

Career Goal: I'm looking forward to doing anything hands-on. I am open to new professional opportunities.

Why did you join the program? I see the program as a great opportunity to explore the construction world. It also can help me increase my chances of getting a good-paying job.  

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part of the class for me was the long drive from my home, including the cost of gas.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? I've met new people and gained friends. I love the work that we do at WinC and the fact that it's being done for a good cause.

What are your hopes for the future? In the future, I look forward to moving closer to the Biloxi area. I'm hoping to get a job that not only pays well, but is something that I love. 

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? I would tell them to have an open mind about who they're going to be around. Be ready as if this is your actual job.

Student Spotlight: Miranda Pitts

Career Goal: To get accepted in the apprenticeship program for International Elevators Constructors.

Why did you join the program? To learn a new trade so I can provide a better life for my children and take a bigger step forward and say that I accomplished these classes and finished. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Math 101 but it definitely was easy the way our instructors taught us.  They were all there to support and guide us through everything.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Working with a team of women who have the same goals in finding a better career/life.

What are your hopes for the future? To have a secure career so I can buy a house and help build our future for my kids, myself, and our community.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Don't hesitate on joining! DO IT! You will not be disappointed! It really is a life-changing experience. The staff goes above and beyond in not only teaching you, but the empowerment it gives you is well worth it. And the child care was a blessing!

Student Spotlight: DJ Eastland

Career Goal: To obtain employment that will allow me to be self-sufficient and earn a livable wage or salary, in a job that will enable me to continue learning and further educating me in my chosen career.

Why did you join the program? Because when I came to the orientation, it seemed to be exactly what I needed, especially at this time in my life. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Math, because there was so much to learn in a short period of time. I felt discouraged because I really wanted to rewrite my math story - and I still am going to rewrite my math story.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? This class got me out of isolation. It gave me a reason and purpose. The staff and my classmates were awesome!!!

What are your hopes for the future? I hope to be able to live again,  and to support myself in a career I enjoy. I hope to help and encourage others.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? I would tell them that you learn a lot more than construction. I learned thinks like teamwork, accountability, and commitment.

Student Spotlight: Tanya Mouton

Career Goal: To obtain a position in the construction industry, preferably as a heavy equipment operator or electrician.

Why did you join the program? I joined the WinC program to increase the knowledge that I already have of the construction field, and also to be self-sufficient. 

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part of the class was making the commitment to travel the long distance that I drive daily.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? The empowerment, reassurance, and camaraderie I felt with the women in the program.

What are your hopes for the future? To be a homeowner and to be able to take care of my family. Most imporantly, I want to help my daughter complete college.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Go for it!! It will change your life for the better. It will be one of the best decisions of your life.

Student Spotlight: Julie Toncrey

Career Goal: Carpentry, heavy equipment operator, electrical. A stable, well-paying job.

Why did you join the program? I needed a new direction and love learning. I needed experience for a new job with stability for my future. 

What was the hardest part of the class? Math and textbook material, when you haven't had to do this kind of work in years.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? The people, instructors, learning the new skills and all the people in this program, classmates, and people who made this program. Love getting to know them.

What are your hopes for the future? A job, peace and contentment, and building myself back up.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? Go for it. Do it. I love it. It's an awesome program with awesome people. They have my forever gratitude.

Student Spotlight: Tannasia Butler

Career Goal: My career goal is to start an all-women construction company.

Why did you join the program? I joined WinC to create a better life for my family and to show my sons an example of a strong woman! 

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part of this class was getting here every single day, even when you don't have gas or money.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? My favorite part of this program was meeting different women, building things from pallets, and being taught by some awesome instructors! I learned so much from this program.

What are your hopes for the future? My hope for the future is to find hardworking women to partner with and start building our future together. Women's empowerment is a movement we all need to focus on!

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? This program is an amazing opportunity. The fact that they offer childcare is extraordinary! This program can and will change your life if you are open, eager to learn, and ready for a career!

Student Spotlight: Kelly Caprietta

Career Goal: Being in an industry in which my eyes and hands feel like they can make a change in someone's life and create a part of someone's dreams.

Why did you join the program? I joined the program to help empower me with knowledge about the construction industry.

What was the hardest part of the class? Attending the classes week after week while not having a job during the day.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? Seeing a project come together from start to finish - going from scratch to a finished project.

What are your hopes for the future? My hope for the future is to keep growing in the construction industry and then be able to pass on my knowledge to others who want to learn about construction.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? The construction industry is not just a job - it is a craft. You have to have a love for all the hard work that comes with the industry too.

Student Spotlight: Amanda Dowdle

Career Goal: I want to find a job where I can achieve financial security.

Why did you join the program? I joined the WinC program to better my opportunities to find a better-paying job.

What was the hardest part of the class? The hardest part was remembering the math after being out of school for more than 10 years.

What has been your favorite part of the experience? The feeling of empowerment gained through this program helps me to be more confident.

What are your hopes for the future? I hope I can achieve financial security and a more stable job or career.

What would you tell someone who is considering joining the program? It takes work and determination. Even though the program is free, you have to do your part and really want to change your situation.

WinC Class 31 volunteers at Gulfport community build

Class 31 works on projects in the WinC shop

 

Class 31 hits the books!