Abigail Million found a new way of life after participating in the Green for Greene program. Prior to participating in the program, Abigail had training as a Medical Assistant but was not using that certification in her line of work. She found herself working at Brown Derby as an assistant manager, making $10 per hour. Abigail is a single mother with three children at home to support. In her previous employment, Abigail found that her wages were not enough to sustain her family and have their own home; this led Abigail and her three children to move in with her mother to have a place to reside. Being underemployed, and not able to support her family’s economic needs, Abigail had to apply for SNAP food stamps. Though she was tasked with great responsibility in her job duties and as a mother, Abigail was not being challenged in her line of work to achieve more. 

One day, Abigail came across the Green for Greene flyer and decided to apply for the EPA program. Due to her financial situation and underemployment, Abigail was determined to be eligible for the EPA-funded training. To be accepted to the program, Abigail went through a lengthy process of applying, completing the NCRC and Talify assessments, and completed an interview and tryout assessment. She passed a final screening process and was selected to participate in the five week Green for Greene program. Abigail took the track dedicated to obtaining her CDL and HAZWOPER certifications in the Green for Greene program. Upon completion of the program, Abigail was offered employment through Sunbelt, a partner employer with the grant. She now works as a driver for Sunbelt and was hired on at $14 per hour. This is a great increase in her rate of pay since working as an assistant manager at Brown Derby. 

Since gaining more substantial employment, Abigail has been able to move herself and her three children out of her mother’s house and into their own living arrangement. She has also been able to reduce the amount of assistance needed for the family with her wage increase. The goal of the grant is to get people into better paying jobs and to reduce the reliance on public assistance. Abigail has gone above and beyond to meet those goals and provide a better life for herself and her family. 

Elijah Tracy was relying on state assistance and residing with his mother when he found out about the Green for Greene Environmental Job Training Program and joined. Elijah completed the Green for Greene Program in 2017. He participated in Track 1, so he received the following certifications: OSHA Hazwoper; OSHA 10; Environmental Sampling and Monitoring; Trenching and Excavation; Confined Space; Lead Abatement Worker; Lead Renovation Repair and Painting; Asbestos Worker/Handler; Stormwater Management; Forklift Driver; First Aid/CPR. Following completion of the program, Elijah was hired on by grant-partner, Sunbelt Environmental as a Solar Panel Technician making $13.50 an hour. He was soon promoted to Lead Field Technician and is currently making $14.50 an hour.

Due to his success in the program and his ability to obtain a high-quality job after the training, Elijah referred his mother, Brandy Tracy, to the program. She had been struggling financially and relying on state assistance when she entered the program in 2018. Brandy participated in Track 2, so she received the following certifications: OSHA Hazwoper and a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Brandy soon obtained employment with a trucking company and is currently averaging $22.00 an hour. Both have been able to become financially independent and secure following participation in the Green for Greene Environmental Job Training Program.