Skip to content
Jenny’s new path at 65 was one she never imagined. After decades of running a small-town hardware store with her husband, the couple made the decision to sell the business and retire. But retirement did not mean slowing down for Jenny. Her adult son, who is autistic, requires full-time care and Jenny made a commitment to keep him at home where he feels safe and supported. In addition to supporting her son, she also helps other individuals in her rural community through iLife, a program that helps seniors remain independent despite the limited local resources.
Jenny’s life was a balancing act of medical appointments, meal prep, and behavioral support when she learned about the opportunity to become a Certified Direct Care Professional (CDCP) through Career EXCELerate. This certification would allow her to be paid for the care she was already providing to her son through Wisconsin’s home care program. Jenny was excited by the opportunity, but a bit overwhelmed by the idea of online coursework, unfamiliar technology, and course deadlines given her already busy life. But Career EXCELerate gave her the confidence and individual support she needed to accept the challenge.
It took Jenny just 63 days to complete the CDCP program and she is now formally certified to provide direct care to her son and receive compensation for work, increasing financial stability for herself and her family. She also continues to work with underserved seniors in her community. Most importantly, Jenny now feels empowered and validated in her caregiving roles. “I didn’t think I could do this,” she said. “But Goodwill believed in me before I believed in myself.”
Jenny’s new path at 65 is a powerful reminder that with determination and the right support, it’s never too late to learn, grow, and make a difference in our own lives and in our communities.
The CDCP program is available in partnership with WisCaregiver Careers across Wisconsin, through the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay and the WI Department of Health Service
To learn more about Career EXCELerate: https://offer.goodwillncw.org/career-excelerate-wisconsin