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Success StoriesMy name is Jessica Cook, This is my story. One year ago this month (Feb 2006) I came to the Turning Point Office. I couldn’t get through one sentence without crying. My husband of 13 years and the father of my two daughters and one on the way, told me he was seeing another woman and wanted a divorce. I had been financially & emotionally dependant on him for most of our marriage. I'd held a few professional uncertified positions in the rapidly changing medical field in the past, but for two years I was a stay at home mom. I knew any position I was going to be able to get would be entry level, without many benefits if any at all. So there I was a pregnant mother who was going to be without health insurance, and too proud to get on State Assistance unless it was absolutely necessary. I didn’t have a High School Diploma, no savings, and no where to go, I didn’t want to impose on my family or friends. I had a rough road ahead, with no end in site. At least I couldn’t see the end through my tears. I met with Dixie, who gave me numbers and information on services available in Utah County…She gave me the information for Alpine Life & Learning to help me prepare for my GED. February 28th, I passed my GED. She signed me up for the Successful Life Management Class as well as Professional Development. She (Dixie) also scheduled my first appointment with Counselor Nate Wood. I met with Nate unable to talk very much because of my tears. He asked what he could do for me, I asked him to help me stop crying about the stupid things going on in my life. He pointed out that the things going on in my life were sad and it’s okay to cry. Through each session he helped me learn to cope with things and have a better understanding of the feelings I had. After a few sessions I felt like a new woman. I found reasons to smile. Nate would point out possible bumps in the road and help me come up with solutions we discussed ways to handle each possible problem and several solutions. Day by day I was crying less and smiling more… I started the Successful Life Management class and from day one, I knew this class was exactly what I needed, the information taught, the handouts, I couldn't soak it up fast enough. So many things I learned in that class, the very most important is the definition of Assertive. I had learned to be aggressive to get what I wanted out of life. I had no idea there was another way. I took notes in class and went home and typed them up. Every one of the teachers was AWESOME!! I was raised in a great family I felt that I knew the workings of the interpersonal relationships, I couldn’t have been more wrong. It felt like the classes were personally made for me. During the Professional Development Class I met 2 Parole Agents from Provo, who were there to see what the class consisted of so they could refer their offenders to this life changing class. I asked them about their careers (one of the things we learned in class). With the information they provided I applied for an Agent Assistant position within their department. I interviewed for the position, and was able to impress the three people interviewing me enough I was told I got the alternate position, that if for any reason the person they hired was unable to fill the position it would be offered to me. The person they hired had more computer experience than I did. This just fueled my desire to make it happen. The position required someone with computer experience mine was very limited, it also asked for someone familiar with Corrections Specific software, I asked where I could go to get training [and was directed to a] possible internship so that I could learn the software. With in a week I was volunteering there and learning the software… I was hired by the apartment complex where I lived as a Leasing Agent. It wasn’t exactly what I wanted but it was a step in the right direction. I cut back my volunteer hours but kept in touch with AP & P. I applied for and interviewed for other positions with the state. Not long after graduation from Successful Life Management, Carol called me about the computer class that was going to be starting its next session. I started the Skilled2Succeed class. The very first night meeting the women who had worked so hard to put the class together, and the proctors who were graduates of the first session, you could tell they loved and cared about each one of us in the class...I missed a few classes but I studied hard and passed all three levels. I attended graduation in October 2005. For the first time in my life I was handed a certificate. My daughters were there to watch as I accepted it. Though they didn’t understand what it was, there was an audience cheering they knew Mom had accomplished something great. On November 21st, 2005 I got a call from [the] Supervisor with Adult Probation and Parole. She asked how things were going and I explained I was on the 2nd round of interviews with Salt Lake AP & P. That’s when she said, “We want you to work with us.” I told her that had always been my desire. She explained the position I had applied for was open…I asked her what I needed to do, she replied, “Tell me when you want to start.” On December 5th, 2005 I started my career as an Agent Assistant with Adult Probation and Parole. My medical & dental benefits started the first day. I made it through the year without getting on ANY State Assistance. I am working Full time at a career I love where the possibilities are endless. I am dating, I have found myself again, I am self sufficient, I am a positive role model for my children. I wanted to thank you all for providing me with hope and the keys to get on with my life. I am LIVING SUCCESSFULLY because I AM SKILLED 2 SUCCEED. Thank you to all of you for giving me the information and the tools to
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