Northwest Michigan Works! Helps Man Get Training and a Job

Joe Traynham works hard at his job as a dishwasher at Stafford’s Perry Hotel in Petoskey—a job he says he is grateful to have. Traynham struggled for years with drug and alcohol problems which lead to several felony convictions and jail time. Once he got his life back on track he says his past made it difficult for him to find a job.

“I had this thought in my head that they’re not going to hire me,” said Traynham. “I was stuck.”

Traynham says he found help through the Jobs for Life program offered by the Petoskey Area Christian Job Corps. That help included connecting him with Northwest Michigan Works!

“Once they saw I was motivated … it seemed like they bent over backwards for me,” said Traynham. “They gave me so much help.”

Through Michigan Works!, Traynham learned about a Hospitality Training Program offered by the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments in partnership with North Central Michigan College. Traynham completed the training and landed a job with Stafford’s.

“I couldn’t have done it without Michigan Works and all the help they gave me,” said Traynham.

Now he has two jobs with Stafford’s: dishwashing and grounds maintenance. Traynham says he was able to turn his life around with faith in God, hard work, and help from Northwest Michigan Works!

“With my past and my felony record if I can do this certainly somebody who doesn’t have those roadblocks can do it,” said Traynham. “You can get unstuck, you can get motivated, and Michigan Works can help you.

 

 

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