51½ÖÉä

On March 3, 2025, we had the honor of meeting Maribel, a driven and determined individual with a powerful desire to grow both personally and professionally. From day one, Maribel embraced every opportunity for self-improvement, enrolling in GED, ESL, and Office Automation courses at Visalia Adult School as part of her journey toward greater independence and opportunity.

Maribel quickly stood out for her initiative and commitment. She successfully completed all workshop and job search requirements and thrived in her Work Experience placement at Parenting Network. Her strong work ethic and dedication earned her a well-deserved job offer as a Community Navigator, a role she officially began on May 19, 2025.

Maribel’s academic accomplishments are equally impressive. She has completed her GED, ESL, and Office Automation Skills programs, each milestone reflecting her resilience and unwavering commitment to her goals. On May 13, 2025, Maribel’s hard work was recognized by the Visalia Unified School District, which honored her with an Outstanding Achievement Award, a fitting tribute to her perseverance and inspiring progress.

At 51½ÖÉä., we are incredibly proud of Maribel and all that she has achieved. Her journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible through hard work, courage, and dedication. Please join us in celebrating Maribel’s incredible accomplishments and wishing her continued success in this exciting new chapter.

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PORTERVILLE, CA — Ana Alcantar found herself unemployed after being laid off from a local pistachio plant and faced limited job opportunities. Alcantar previously worked as a cashier at a Mexican restaurant and wanted to pivot her career path. That's when she turned to 51½ÖÉä and enrolled in the agricultural workers program with new employment opportunities. Through 51½ÖÉä, Alcantar qualified for the Department of Labor's seasonal farmworker jobs program. Employment Services Representative Soila conducted a comprehensive assessment of Alcantar's skills and career aspirations, then guided her through the local labor market with targeted job leads and referrals.

Living in Richgrove, a small rural community with scarce employment options, Alcantar recognized she would need to expand her job search to nearby Bakersfield. Her breakthrough came when 51½ÖÉä received a job order from Leslie's Custom Floral, seeking someone interested in learning floral arrangement while providing excellent customer service. Ana's friendly personality and responsibility were qualities that the employer was looking for and saw potential for a great match. After expressing interest in the position, Alcantar was referred for an interview with Rosa, the business owner of Leslie's Custom Floral. While Rosa was impressed with Alcantar's enthusiasm, the lack of experience presented a challenge. Soila negotiated a solution, a 100-hour work experience contract that would provide Alcantar with hands-on training while the program subsidized her employment. Upon completing the contracted hours, Rosa hired her as a regular employee. Today, Alcantar continues to develop her skills in floral design, with the aspiration of someday opening her own flower shop.

The partnership has been so successful that Leslie's Custom Floral has since hired another 51½ÖÉä referral from their youth program for their Visalia location. This achievement demonstrates how targeted workforce development programs can create meaningful pathways to employment in rural communities where opportunities are limited, transforming lives one career at a time.

By Martha Loya, Porterville Service Center

This success story was submitted by the Porterville Service Center as part of the Department of Labor's ongoing documentation of effective employment initiatives.