Champion's Tribute

Easterseals Champions

Who are our Champions?
Easterseals West Alabama Champions are individuals who are actively engaging in or have successfully completed programs and services that support employment and personal development. These include, but are not limited to:

Consumers currently using Transportation Services to maintain employment
Consumers actively employed with support from our Supported Employment Services
Graduates of our Workforce Development Program who have secured employment
Long-term employed individuals (5–10 years) who began their journey through our services
Individuals actively working to remove barriers to employment
Project SEARCH Interns
Job Exploration Training (JET) students who obtain employment after graduation
Dedicated participants in Parents as Teachers
Committed families in the Nurse-Family Partnership
Consumers who transitioned from using our transportation to owning a personal vehicle
Payee Service participants
Driver’s Education graduates who have earned their license

Meet Our Champions

Shirita Jenkins

Shirita Jenkins is a Transportation Program Champion. Shirita utilized our Transportation Program in order to save up for her own personal vehicle. Currently, Shirita is employed at Dollar General as a Store Manager. Shirita is an amazing example of how Easterseals can provide temporary relief to supply long-term employment and professional success. Congrats Easterseals Champion!

Sponsor

Steven Aidan Maddox

Steven is currently taking classes to receive his high school diploma, with plans to graduate and joining the workforce. Steven's goal is to have a successful life and always treat people with kindness. This champion utilized our Driver's Education Program, and through completing this program Steven was able to gain his drivers license. This is a great accomplishment and sets Steven up for further academic and professional success. Way to go Champion!

Lessie Oglesby

Lessie Oglesby currently utilizes our Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program. She is currently retired and has custody of her great great nephew Chase. She joined our program in 2024 when she learned that Chase has some health issues, developmental delays and autism. She is very thankful for our program and is determined to utilize all resources to help her nephew. She stated that some days are difficult, but watching her nephew’s progress keeps her determined and motivated. Great work champion!

Tristan Wehrenberg

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Cahaba Glades Apartments, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in July. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job!

Jataisah Mitchell

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with Bibb Medical Center, and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in July. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Jaheim Williams

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Bibb County Schools Transportation Department, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in July. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

J.E.T. Tuscaloosa Students

Amarion Harris, Caleb Holcomb, Emma Collins, Jayla Richards, Jazmine Culpepper, Joshua Gossett, and Tony Spears are part of our August graduating class of our J.E.T. Program. These students were placed with DCH. They made such a positive impact that DCH decided to sponsor them for all their hard work and achievement of hands-on workforce development. Great Job J.E.T. Graduates!

Otis Randall Hoggle

Otis is a proud participant in our Supported Employment Program and has been successfully employed at Forest Manor Nursing Home for over a year. Through his dedication and the opportunities provided by the program, Otis was able to achieve a major personal milestone: purchasing a new truck. His story is a testament to the power of meaningful employment and community partnership.

Charisse Whitaker

Charisse is a Tuscaloosa resident, Telecommunication operator for 911, Safe Kids Car Passenger Safety Technician, and Mary Kay Consultant. She is a woman of many hats but the hat she is most proud of is being a mother to her two handsome autistic sons. Charisse is a part of our Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program. She is a passionate and faith based mother who works diligently to impact the world around her through kindness, empathy, and compassion. She works daily to honor the lessons her mother taught her while working full-time, attending to her father who is bed bound and her two sons. Way to go Champion!

Moyinoluwa Ajisafe

This Champion is utilizing our Nurse Family Partnership Program. Moyinoluwa is currently a student and is determined to be the best mom she can be. She has received the Cleny Renfroe nursing Award. She believed every person deserves dignity, and she aims to grow her own nursing skills to promote health, advocate for patients, and inspire hope. Great job champion!

Aasiyah Sullivan

Aasiyah Sullivan is a Tuscaloosa native, wife, Certified Nursing Assistant, a mother of two boys and a recent graduate of our Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program. She has faced and overcome multiple challenges. Also, her husband also suffered a sudden, life-threatening medical emergency, leaving her provide for her family while her husband recovered. Aasiyah's youngest son was diagnosed with Autism, and she has been an advocate for him and others since his diagnosis. Her oldest son has been accepted into the Tuscaloosa Magnet School. Aasiyah continues to work full time as a Certified Nursing Assistant and has been accepted to attend UMA to become a Certified Pharmacy Technician. She really is a Champion!

Xavier Turner

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Habitat for Humanity, and his supervisors stated that he was a “real go-getter.” He successfully graduated our program in August He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Mary Rose Davis

Mary Rose is a high school graduate in Hale County. Mary utilized our Job Exploration Training (J.E.T.) program to gain great hands-on workforce training. Mary successfully graduated from our program in June and we are thrilled to share that through this program she was able to gain experience that lead to her being offered a full time position with Vowells Cash Savers. Now Mary Rose will be referred to our Workforce Development program. We are very excited to continue supporting her journey. Great job Mary Rose!

Natalie Leonard

Natalie is a Tuscaloosa County High School graduate. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends and has been enjoying her participation in our Job Exploration Training. Through her completion of our J.E.T. Program, Natalie received an offer of employment through her J.E.T. Placement.

Gabrielle Brown

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with I Dream Big Charter School, and was adored by her supervisor. She worked hard and was able to learn how to design book covers. Gabrielle graduated from our program in June. Way to go Champion!

Lela Sanders

Lela is a high school graduate in Tuscaloosa County. She is passionate about reading and would like to become an author someday. Lela utilized our Job Exploration Training (J.E.T.) program to gain great hands-on workforce training. She was placed at I Dream Big Charter School and was adored by her supervisor. This champion is taking big steps for her future success. Great job Lela!

Tashanti Hary

Tashanti is a high school graduate in Tuscaloosa County. She is passionate about helping people and is working towards being more outgoing. Tashanti utilized our Job Exploration Training (J.E.T.) program to gain essential workforce development skills. She was placed at Fresh Value and received great reviews from her supervisor. Tashanti is making great progress to being successful. Awesome job champion!

Devin Wade

Devin Wade joined our Supported Employment Program and has found meaningful, ongoing employment at Publix. His commitment and hard work exemplify the success that can be achieved through supportive partnerships and inclusive workplaces.

Annamarie Wallace

Annamarie is a proud participant of our Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program. She joined our program when she was a first-time mother of twins. Through our program she was able to learn important activities to help her children achieve important milestones. The home visits helped her to set goals for their development, learning goals, and how to utilize community resources to help her family thrive! Great job champion!

Maliah Laister

Maliah utilized our Parents as Teachers Home Visitation Program when she was expecting her first child. She worked hard during her time with PAT to provide a home for her son while continuing her own education and employment. As a single mom she has been able to maintain employment while continuing to be her child’s first teacher with PAT. Keep up the progress champion!

Kendrick Atkins

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Habitat for Humanity and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in June. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job Kendrick!

Nevaeh Long

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with South’s Finest Meats, and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in June. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job Nevaeh!

Jerayl Brown

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with South’s Finest Meats, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in June. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job Jerayl!

Peyton Matthews

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with McStitches, and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in June. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job!

Takyurianna Brown

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with Fresh Value and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in June. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job Takyurianna!

Khristian Crowell

This Champion utilized our Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Fresh Value and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in June. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development. Great job Khristian!

Scott Adams

Champion Scott Adams utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He is a Senior this year and was placed with Temporary Emergency Services, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He always had a smile on his face and was eager to help in anyway he could. He successfully graduated our program in August. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Matthew Avans

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with South’s Finest Meats, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in August. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Carson Banks

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with CAST Program Brent Elementary School, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in July. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Marcellus Crews

Jadarius Dukes

David Goff

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with South’s Finest Meats, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in August, and is entering into his senior year of high school. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Yatwan Hayward

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Temporary Emergency Services, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in August and is ready to start his senior year of high school. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Xavier Johnson

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Fresh Value, and received some great feedback from his supervisor. He successfully graduated our program in August. He is a very hard worker and very dependable to complete his tasks and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Aubrey Leatherwood

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County J.E.T. (Job Exploration Training). She was placed with a local business Fresh Value. Aubrey successfully graduated the program in August and is excited to start her senior year of high school. She gained some grant hands-on workforce training. Great job Aubrey!

Victoria Loyd

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County J.E.T. (Job Exploration Training). She was placed with a local business Fresh Value. Victoria successfully graduated the program in August and is excited to begin her senior year of high school. She gained some grant hands-on workforce training. Great job Victoria!

Keith Martin

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Stillman College Office of Social Justice & Community. He successfully graduated our program in August and learned a lot about excel and spreadsheets. He developed some very impressive critical thinking and problem solving skills. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Micah McCool

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Stillman College Office of Social Justice & Community. He successfully graduated our program in August and is looking forward to starting his senior year of high school. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Jaleesa Peterson

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with CAST Program Brent Elementary School, and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in July. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Tarlaisha Purifoy

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). She was placed with Bibb Medical Center, and had great reviews from her supervisors. She successfully graduated our program in July. She worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Marlin Sanders

This Champion utilized our Tuscaloosa County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Fresh Value, and received some great feedback from his supervisor. He successfully graduated our program in August He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.

Elizabeth Steed

This Champion is utilizing our Nurse Family Partnership program. Elizabeth is currently working towards obtaining her high school diploma and is determined to be the best mom she can be. Great job champion!

Allie Thomas

Zaccheus Vaughn

Jaden Williams

This Champion utilized our Bibb County Job Exploration Training Program (J.E.T.). He was placed with Bibb County Schools Transportation Department, and had great reviews from his supervisors. He successfully graduated our program in June. He worked hard and was able to gain some great hands on workforce skill development.