WINONA LAKE – When Gracie Perez moved to Texas at age 15, she didn’t know any English outside of the words “yes” and “no.” Stepping into a new school, a new language, and a new country all at once felt like a mountain too big for a teenager to climb.

Sometimes it’s the lowest points in life that lead to something amazing WINONA LAKE – In 1995, eighteen-year-old Susanna Metzger eagerly began her second semester of college at IPFW, planning to study accounting. But when she received the news that she was pregnant, her college education was put on hold. Although unexpected, she loved being …read more.

  WINONA LAKE — When thirty-six-year-old Jerry Koontz of Elkhart, found himself volunteering at his sons’ martial arts academy two nights per week for several hours, he was struck with an idea. The excuse of a lack of time would not suffice anymore. He was going back to school. He would finish his degree. Koontz …read more.

INDIANA — The US Bureau of Labor Statistics had some good news for Indiana for June: The state’s unemployment rate dropped .2 percent to 4.8 percent. The Indiana Department of Workforce Development reported June was the second consecutive month Indiana has seen a decrease in unemployment. The department also reported 8,594 Hoosiers found jobs while the …read more.

By MICHELLE WEIDENBENNER, Local Author, Speaker, Trainer, John Maxwell Team FORT WAYNE — Everyone makes mistakes. Those who make a poor choice, commit a crime and get caught often find themselves with a conviction on their record that keeps them from getting a job. Many offenders regret their choice and want to turn their life around, get …read more.

WINONA LAKE — Since 2008, Grace College has offered Grace Opportunities for Adult Learners to adults who wish to complete their undergraduate degree. G.O.A.L. is available both residentially and online for a B.S. in Management or a B.S. in Quality Management. With current technology, outstanding classroom instruction and a broad range of academic resources, Grace makes completing a bachelor’s degree a reality at a price you can afford.

By CHUCK KNEBL Communications Manager, WorkOne SYRACUSE — WorkOne is joining AIA Countertops to organize a hiring event with more than 20 openings; the event is slated for 10 a.m. to noon and 2-4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the company’s Syracuse facility, 203 S. Huntington St. More than 20 openings are available for first and second …read more.

The state has launched a new program for those enrolled in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) called the Gateway to Work. The program assists HIP enrollees with finding a career path that will hopefully lead to gainful employment or a better job in a new industry. Gateway to Work is a free and voluntary program …read more.