Rachel Conners enrolled in the Mature Worker Program as a participant  January 26, 2010.  Mrs. Conners is a permanent placed alien from Jamaica.  Originally Mrs. Conners moved from Jamaica to Toronto, Canada where she met her first husband and had her children.  She was divorced soon after and was left to raise her children alone.   She had dreamed one day she would be able to further her education and become a psychologist.  Mrs. Conners moved to the United States where she met her current husband and was married.

Mr. and Mrs. Conners were informed of the Mature Worker Program through a family friend who was participating in the program.  Mr. and Mrs. Conners were both considering re-entering the workforce and they saw the Mature Worker Program as a pathway to their future.

On Mrs. Conners Intake form it states she is interested in Community & Social Services, Healthcare and Personal Care and Service.  The information gained from the intake was used to place Mrs. Conners at the Host Agency Mustard Seed Foundation.

Mustard Seed is a non-profit organization developed to assist teenage mothers with transitional housing, employment, daycare, supportive services and case management.  The foundation was developed to help teen mothers reach their full potential.

Mustard Seed Foundation is a home like setting with the capacity to house 10 mothers with their children.  Each mother is given their own private bedroom for her and her children.  The mothers are expected to do chores around the house and are employed to assist in the community. 
 
As a Family Support Worker Mrs. Conners assist with caring for the teenage mothers’ children during the day while the mother’s are working or going to school.  In the basement of the house is a large learning/playroom for the children.  Mrs. Conners and another Family Support Worker provide Pre-School educational training for the children.

Mrs. Conners is presently working towards her associate degree in psychology through the University of Phoenix.  Mrs. Conners stated the Mature Workers Program and the Mustard Seed Foundation gave her the encouragement she needed to meet her potential.  Mrs. Conners stated she is going to continue her education until she acquires her bachelor degree in psychology.

Mrs. Conners stated her goal is to one day to be able to open her own non-profit to help needy mothers with the resources they need to be successful.