United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County
"I always knew I wanted something more," Dominiquia said. "More for myself, more for my family, more for my children."
Dominiquia was certain that she’d be in the service industry for the entirety of her career. She was happy, but with the desire to work with children, she knew that a change was needed. Dominiquia also knew that a traditional college route wasn’t for her, and she knew that this could be a challenge. Then her cousin introduced her to Next Door.
Next Door supports the development of children by partnering with their families for success in school and in the community. Their foundation for success goes much deeper than academics. It includes teaching children about accountability, respect, and problem-solving so that when children are exposed to these outside of Next Door, they already have experience from a safe and loving environment. The values are echoed in their Pathways Program, a United Way-funded program, which allows adults interested in pursuing a career in early childhood education to receive paid, on-the-job training and for existing employees, the opportunity to pursue certifications and degrees at no cost to them.
"Next Door’s Pathways Program was designed to counter the teacher shortage," said Susan Murray, Director of Workforce Development at Next Door. "People who have an interest in early childhood education are encouraged to join Next Door as a Pre-Apprentice, which is an eight-week training program to give them the basic qualifications to be a teaching assistant in our classrooms."
Dominiquia’s interest in pursuing childhood education and moving from a career as a server may not have been possible without the Pathways Program, which made it easy and fun to do. She’s now an assistant teacher and taking additional credentials at MATC with goals to receive a bachelor's degree and to become a lead teacher at Next Door.
“When I think about where I am today, I’m so proud of myself,” Dominiquia said. “Today is what matters.”
When you give to United Way’s Reducing Barriers to Employment & Advancement initiative, you’re supporting programs like Pathways. Dominiquia and Next Door remind us that to live better, we must Live United.
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