Kemarion's Journey
Seventeen-year-old Kemarion looked at the test – two red lines indicating that she was pregnant – and she immediately knew two things. That she would love her child more than anything and that in order for her family to thrive, she would need resources and support.
Bolstered by her strong work ethic, the Dwyer High School graduate worked full-time at a local fast-food restaurant until the day her water broke and returned to work after her son was born.
An accident at work caused Kemarion to fracture her knee and it was then she knew that she needed to make a permanent change. In the post-COVID world of remote work, she knew she had to find a position which would allow her to work from home while also taking care of her son.
Kemarion heard about the Securing Our Future Initiative (SOFI) program. SOFI is a collective impact initiative that addresses childhood poverty in Palm Beach County and offered by Community Partners of South Florida (CPSFL) in partnership with Palm Beach County Community Services Department. Kemarion’s mother, who was a member of the Riviera Beach Homebuyers Club, another of CPSFL’s vast program offerings, convinced her to explore the opportunity.
The Securing Our Future Initiative seeks to build pathways for economic mobility for families with children ages 0 – 18, who are living below the 200% federal poverty threshold, with a special emphasis on families at or below the 100% federal poverty threshold, and who have the ability to work.
Kemarian connected with program coordinator, Coryati Campbell. "Miss Cory” helped Kemarion with her job search – they worked side to revise and refine her resume, navigate Indeed.com, and upload a resume.
She was quickly hired as a benefits specialist with an insurance company with a starting pay rate of $13 an hour. After a two-months of training, she earned a $0.50 raise and less than two months after that, Kemarion’s supervisor promoted her to a full-time Benefits and Enrollment Specialist, increasing her pay rate to $17 an hour.
Now, Kemarion is in a much better place and feels more equipped to provide for her son. Still technically a teenager at 19, she is a proud advocate for health insurance and on an upward trajectory at her company.
Her son just turned one and is learning how to walk, cheered on by his teachers at daycare and his family. Kemarion is taking charge of her life's path – looking towards a bright and secure future filled with love, joy and boundless potential.
Contact us at info@cp-cto.org for more information about the Securing Our Futures Initiative and other financial empowerment services.
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