During Disability Awareness Month, we checked in with past Project ESTEEM participants to see where they are now. Joesette joined Project ESTEEM in July 2017 after graduating from a non-traditional high school. She had always dreamed of becoming a dental assistant, and with the help of her Employment Navigator, Barb, she took steps to make that dream a reality. Barb assisted connected her to resources to help with completing college registration, financial aid forms, and connecting Josie Josette to the Disabilities Department for accommodations. Through Project ESTEEM’s hands-on training, Joesette also gained confidence using public transportation.
As she started college, Josesette realized she needed extra support. With guidance from her team, she connected with tutors and a college coach to stay on track. After two semesters, her college counselor advised her to work harder to qualify for the Dental Assistant Program at her community college. Despite her best efforts, she was placed in General Health Studies—an area that didn’t align with her passion.
Determined to pursue her dream, Joesette explored other options and found a workforce training center offering the program she wanted. However, financial aid didn’t cover the full tuition. With Barb’s support, she explored funding options to make it possible.
Admission required an entrance exam, and when Joesette didn’t pass on her first attempt, she was discouraged. But she wasn’t alone—Barb connected her with additional tutoring, and with renewed confidence, she passed on her second try.
Getting to The Center for Workforce Development was another challenge. The long commute and cost of transportation were potential barriers, but Barb worked with the LASR program to secure additional gas card assistance, helped Joesette explore carpooling, and even provided occasional rides. Thanks to these supports, Joesette maintained near-perfect attendance.
As training progressed, coursework became more demanding, but Josie Joesette had a strong support system. Barb checked in with instructors, reinforced tutoring support, and provided essential supplies, including noise-reducing headphones to help her focus. Most importantly, she offered ongoing encouragement, reminding Josie Joesette she had a dedicated team behind her.
Toward the end of her training, Joesette started an internship, but the first placement wasn’t a good fit. Once again, her Navigator stepped in, helping her secure a paid internship at a healthcare facility that valued her dedication and provided valuable experience.
On graduation day, Joesette was celebrated for her perseverance. Today, she is thriving in her dream career as a dental assistant, recently marking four years in the field. She loves her job, has built strong relationships with her colleagues, and takes pride in her work every day. Her journey wasn’t always easy, but with determination and the right support, she made her dream a reality.
To learn more about all our employment services available through Starbridge, visit: https://starbridgeinc.org/services/employment/
Back to Success Stories