Local Woman Honored at Michigan State Capital

LANSING, Mich. (January 31, 2008) – Michigan Works! Association honored Stephanie Ahrns of Davison, Mich. for obtaining gainful employment through a Michigan Works! Agency at the 2008 Alumni Celebration, held Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at the Michigan State Capitol.

Ahrns was among the 25 graduates of the Michigan Works! System who were presented with an Outstanding Alumni of The Year Award by district legislators Senator Deborah Cherry, Representative Ted Hammon, Representative Richard Ball and Representative Richard Hammel.

Each year, the Michigan Works! Association hosts this celebration to highlight the success stories of the Michigan Works! System. In light of Michigan’s economic transition, this celebration features individuals who, with assistance from Michigan Works!, have sought gainful employment through education or new training in high-demand occupations and emerging fields.

Ahrns encountered many barriers prior to her referral to a Career Alliance, Inc. Michigan Works! Service Center. She wanted to secure a job that provided a better income for her family, so she made the decision to begin college as a full-time student.

At age 40, she realized that with a child in high school and another serving in the armed forces overseas, this would be no easy task.

With help from Michigan Works! and the Health Care Professionals for Michigan’s Future, a Michigan Regional Skills Alliance, Ahrns was able to enroll in Baker College and begin a program that would allow her to meet the expanding needs of the local health care industry.

Services provided to Ahrns included tuition assistance and textbook allowance. She also received a grant from Baker College while at school.

Ahrns graduated from Baker College with high honors and passed the national certification exam with above average scores. Shortly after graduation, she accepted a position with Dr. M. H. Al-Midani, where she is currently employed.

“The program re-enforced my confidence and gave me the opportunity to better my life where it would have been impossible on my own. I feel that I can enjoy life with my husband instead of just living it,” said Ahrns.

Michigan Works! Association is recognized nationally as the largest and most progressive workforce development association in the country. The Association's members are the Workforce Development Boards, Local Elected Officials, and Michigan Works! Agency Directors from all of Michigan's 25 workforce areas.

Michigan Works! Association was established in 1987 to foster high-quality employment and training programs serving employers and workers by providing support activities and a forum for information exchange for Michigan's workforce development system. That system has been recognized by the National Alliance of Business as the most innovative in the country. For more information, visit http://www.michiganworks.org, or call 517-371-1100.