Green for Greene Success Stories

A picture containing text Description automatically generatedMISTY HARDIN

Misty Hardin’s life has changed considerably since participating in the Summer 2020 Green for Greene program. Prior to participating in the program, Misty had obtained an Associate of Art’s degree in fine arts from Ozarks Technical Community College but was not using her education in her current line of work.  Misty had been working as a De-Trasher for McLane, making $14.25 per hour, but was currently laid off due to COVID-19.  Misty shared that she is a mother of 7 children and has 2 grandchildren. At the time she applied for the Green for Greene program there were 5 people living in her household. To support herself and her family, Misty applied for, and was receiving, unemployment and SNAP food stamp benefits. Due to past mistakes which led to her becoming a justice-involved individual, Misty found it difficult to find employment that would provide the income she needed to become self-sufficient.  

Misty learned about the Green for Greene program through her involvement with the RISE program at the Drew Lewis Foundation and decided to apply for the EPA program. Due to her financial situation and unemployment, Misty was determined to be eligible for the EPA-funded training. To be accepted to the program, Misty went through a lengthy process of applying, completing the Talify assessment, and completed an interview and tryout assessment. Misty passed a final screening process and was selected to participate in the five-week Green for Greene program. Throughout the application and interview process Misty shared that she would love the chance to learn more and receive certifications for such a wide variety of things that would make her a much more valuable employee. Misty admitted that she has made several mistakes in her life but is moving forward and working hard on putting the past behind her and building an amazing future. When asked where she sees herself in 3 - 5 years she replied that she hopes to be building credit, wants longevity in a career, to be able to buy a house, and overall stability.  

Shortly after completing the program, Misty was offered employment through McCormick as a Material Handler and was hired on at $24.30 per hour. Within a few months of starting this job Misty was able to promote to a Grinding/Miller position making $26.05 per hour and is able to work overtime on a regular basis. This is a great increase in her rate of pay since her previous job working as a De-Trasher.  

Since gaining more substantial employment, Misty states that she has money going into savings, is learning about starting to invest, bought a brand new vehicle, and is beginning the search to buy her first home. Misty shared that “things that I thought were so far out of my reach - I’m doing them!!!” The goal of the grant is to get people into better paying jobs and to reduce the reliance on public assistance. Misty has gone above and beyond to meet those goals, achieve her own dreams, and provide a better life for herself and her family. 

ABIGAIL MILLION

 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.