LiLA Stories

LiLAs have helped hundreds of people around the country. Here are a few of their stories:

Paul Kelvington's initial attempt at college was not successful, and he dropped out to go to work in the restaurant industry. "I was too young and I just wasn't ready to take school seriously." After much thought, self-reflection and the help of his LiLA education and career advisor, Paul decided he wanted to use his life experiences as the foundation for a long-term study that could help others, especially young people, who don’t have positive role models in their lives. In his pursuit of a certification in Addictions Counseling, Paul rediscovered the joy of school and his love of learning. Paul's journey, ultimately, proved impressive enough to earn CAEL's "Learner of the Year" award. Paul recently finished his master's degree at a local universtiy with the help of a scholarship package.

"Kui" and her family emigrated five years ago from Beijing, China. With extensive training and years of working experience as an R.N. in China, Kui was able to find a job as a Geriatric Aide at On Lok. When Kui found out about the LiLA program through On Lok, she excitedly applied for the program. "Without LiLA, I don't think I would have had the opportunity to go back to school and prepare for my RN exam."

When "Chris" joined the LiLA program in 2003, as an employee of the City of Fort Wayne, his education plans were hindered by a lack of funds. With the help of LiLA, in the spring of 2004, Chris completed his goal of an AS in Personal Computers. That alone earned him a nearly $5.00 an hour increase in his pay. With the improved income achieved through the LiLA program, and with a new appreciation of the benefits of saving toward a goal, Chris was able to build another asset: the purchase of his first home.

"Karen," one of our public sector participants, earned a promotion from Administrative Assistant to a Division Director, followed shortly by a second promotion to Community Development specialist. She has gone from making $13.40 per hour to $18.50 per hour. Karen told CAEL that she believes a key factor in her beating out her competition for a promotion is the initiative and commitment she showed in furthering her education through LiLAs. She recently was asked to teach a class next semester at a local university. As she told her advisor, "This program has opened up so many opportunities for me!"

When "Steve" started his LiLA, he was working part time as an intern at a manufacturing company while struggling to finance his completion of a BS in Computer Aided Design (CAD). Thanks to his participation in LiLAs, Steve accomplished this goal and proved his worth at the company by obtaining a steady job as a Design Engineer, and securing a $3.50 an hour raise.

Since 1989, "Mavis" has worked on the production line at manufacturing company. She began just a few years out of high school but her dream was to have a career in accounting. Although she took a few classes off and on during the past years, as a single mom she never had the funds to finish. Since enrolling in LiLAs, Mavis has found the financial and advising support she needed and has taken up to three classes a semester. She is excited about starting master's classes next year with the rest of her LiLAs and is confident she will soon be able to leave her lower-wage manufacturing job for a full time accounting career. In her own words, "I couldn't have finished this fast without the help of LiLAs. This is a great program."

“I know I’ve lost jobs in the past because I did not have more advanced skills. I know that with CNC training I can be marketable. I need better skills in this economy.” – LiLA participant in San Francisco