Shaping a Future

Community Action, Inc.

Hollie R. Brown

Hollie R. Brown entered the U.S. Army planning to make the military her life. She was proud to serve her country and proud to give up her life to protect the freedoms of her fellow Americans. She was stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia, and placed in the B Company, 73 rd ordinance battalion. Avionics repair was her specialty as she worked on preparing and maintaining helicopters used by the military. Tensions rose in her company as a deployment to Iraq seemed evident. Hollie knew the military tour would be trying but she was prepared to do whatever was needed to serve her country.

Two months before her unit was deployed to Iraq, Hollie received devastating news. She was told that a hip injury she received while in basic training was too severe, and she would have to leave the military. The Army issued her an Honorable Discharge, and Hollie returned home to stay with her family.  

After returning home, Hollie became pregnant and gave birth to her son J.R. She struggled to take care of her child, not sure what to do with her life. In 2005 Hollie began receiving public assistance while she tried to find a career she could pursue.  

In August 2006, Hollie turned to Community Action, Inc. and entered the Supported Work Program (SWP). Through her work with a career counselor, she received several certifications through the PA Careerlink's Work Readiness Skills Standards. Within a month, Hollie gained employment at a local retailer while she continued to work with her Supported Work Counselor to prepare for a future career.  

Community Action's Supported Work Program provided Hollie with workshops while she worked; teaching her how to properly construct a resume and interview for a career. As she worked through the programs, Community Action, Inc. helped Hollie find a career path that would suit her ability to make sacrifices while helping others - nursing. She enrolled in a Certified Nursing Assistant class in January 2007, quickly excelling in the training and sailing through the program. Hollie was able to find employment at a personal care facility close to her home. Her employer was pleased with her hard work and dedication and steadily increased Hollie's hours.  

On May 25, 2007, just eight months after she started, Hollie successfully completed the Supported Work Program. She is now working a full work week at a respectable wage that has allowed her to reach self-sufficiency and provide for her son. She continues to raise J.R. with the help of her family and believes that she and her son can accomplish anything they set their minds to.  

Hollie is thankful for the help Community Action, Inc. provided in structuring a future for her family and cites her mother as her greatest influence. Hollie is excited about her future and plans to purchase a home while she continues to raise her family and refine her talents in the medical field.  

Community Action, Inc. serves low-income residents of Jefferson and Clarion counties with programs designed to combat poverty and move individuals to self-sufficiency.