Finding a career that meets both someone’s personal and financial needs can be a challenge in today’s world, especially so for those with limited access to the resources to help them get ahead in life. United Way Northwest Indiana, however, is helping to bridge that gap through its Level Up program. Level Up ensures that people from all walks of life have the opportunity to reach their career goals and build a better life for themselves in the process.
“The main intention of Level Up is to help people to change the trajectory of their life, from where they are to who they want to be,” said Level Up Program Director Erin Stojic. “We help explore lots of options, whether that be moving up in their current field or changing jobs altogether. We help them identify their dream job and the path to get there.”
The Level Up program welcomes Northwest Indiana residents in Lake, Porter, Jasper, Newton, and Starke counties over the age of 18 to enroll as long as they are employed, have reliable transportation and meet the income requirements.
Once a part of the program, participants have a plethora of resources at their disposal. Each person is paired with a case manager that works with them one-on-one to guide them through how to navigate their personal growth and career change. Program participants partake in specialized resources, such as financial counseling and childcare placement, and access United Way’s vast partner network with a wide array of community resources. Partnerships with local education providers, WorkOne, and region industries and employers all increase access and reduce barriers for participants.
”The best part about our program is that we assess our clients’ strengths and needs very holistically and treat them as individuals, Stojic said. "The program looks different for each client, based on their dreams, personal and professional goals.”
No matter what path they choose to take, each course of action throughout the Level Up program is directly tailored to the individual to guarantee they’re set up for success. There are many ways to achieve greater stability and gain valuable life skills, and United Way Northwest Indiana helps to find the way that works best for them.
“Once in enrolled, the really cool part about Level Up is the way that we interact. We ask for your participation, and we ask for you to believe in yourself. With that, we can provide a wealth of resources to support you on the way to success,” Stojic said. “We're very hands-on with the work we do with our clients to build their confidence until they no longer need us to guide them. When they leave our program, they don’t just have more earning power, they also have more confidence to advocate for themselves, to go out into the community and do what they dreamed of doing.”
This has proven to be especially true for George Zecevich, who enrolled in Level Up after he was recommended to apply through Housing Opportunities.
At the start of the program, Zecevich was in a tough place in life, living in a homeless shelter and newly out of rehab. However, he was set on changing his life for the better, and Level Up has given him exactly what he needed to live the life he’s always dreamed of. He credits his navigator Robin Wright for all the help she’s given him along the way and notes he wouldn’t be where he is now without her guidance and input.
To Zecevich, being a part of Level Up has been a blessing.
“They helped me get my driver’s license back,” he said. “That's what I needed to get to the next step, which was to be a truck driver and to get my CDL so I can make better money; I could make double what I make now by getting a CDL. That's what they definitely have done so far. That, and they helped me with a financial budget. I have two boys; I'm a single dad. Level Up helped me with that, too. I have a vehicle now, and I'm looking to enroll in truck driving school soon.”
Now, thanks to the Level Up program, Zecevich is able to be back on his feet and is beaming with pride to know he’s been given a second chance at life at 45 years old.
“There are ways out there to get out,” he said. “I was homeless and hopeless and addicted. Now I have a car. I’m back in my kids’ lives, and I have a few months of sobriety. It is possible to get out; there are options out there. I'm forever grateful.”
For more information on the Level Up program and United Way Northwest Indiana, visit the website here.