Hope Florida in Brevard: Merritt Island Mother on the Path to Self-Sufficiency with New Career in Healthcare

Brevard County, FL – When Riah Pinem, 40, of Merritt Island, was first referred to CareerSource Brevard, she was working part-time as a retail store associate earning less than $12 per hour. Riah sought help from the Hope Florida program, a partnership between CareerSource Florida and the Department of Children and Families that aims to help Floridians with barriers to employment get and keep good jobs. Hope Florida Navigators at each workforce development board, like CareerSource Brevard, provide career advisement and support at no cost for participants.

Pictured from left to right: Lloyd Gregg, chair of CareerSource Brevard Workforce Development Board; Joan Belmonte, career advisor II at CareerSource Brevard; Riah Pinem; Marci Murphy, president of CareerSource Brevard at the Nov.16 Board Meeting at CareerSource Brevard in Rockledge. Riah Pinem was recognized with a Job Seeker Recognition award.
Pictured from left to right: Lloyd Gregg, chair of CareerSource Brevard Workforce Development Board; Joan Belmonte, career advisor II at CareerSource Brevard; Riah Pinem; Marci Murphy, president of CareerSource Brevard at the Nov.16 Board Meeting at CareerSource Brevard in Rockledge. Riah Pinem was recognized with a Job Seeker Recognition award.

After connecting with the team at CareerSource Brevard in Rockledge, Riah expressed an interest in pursuing a career in healthcare. She was referred to METCA (Macedonia Education Technology and Career Academy) in Melbourne, where she completed a training program to become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). She is one step closer to completing her certification exam. Now, Pinem earns $20 per hour in a Caregiver role and aspires to further her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).

“I am so grateful to my career advisor at the Rockledge career center for helping me to upgrade my path in life,” said Pinem.

“It’s remarkable to see how the Hope Florida initiative is helping folks like Riah get connected to our services, said Marci Murphy, president of CareerSource Brevard. “We are thrilled about Riah’s successful employment as a Caregiver, and we’ll be there to support her with her plans to become a nurse.”

At a board meeting in June, the CareerSource Florida Board of Directors approved more than $20 million in Governor’s Reserve funding and Wagner-Peyser funds for the new fiscal year through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to expand workforce services and support to Floridians seeking careers. The funding includes new Hope Navigators at each of the state’s local workforce development boards. The Hope Navigators will work directly with Hope Florida participants to find jobs, enroll in training, and launch new career pathways that lead to self-sufficiency and economic prosperity.

Families in need of services can connect with the program by calling the Hope Line (850-300-HOPE) or visiting a local CareerSource Brevard career center.

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About CareerSource Brevard: CareerSource Brevard (CSB) is the area authority on workforce development, providing comprehensive services, labor market information, and access to resources for businesses and job seekers. The mission of CareerSource Brevard is to facilitate and be the catalyst for workforce development services that are responsive to the employment needs of Brevard County. CareerSource Brevard is a non-profit, regional public/private partnership under CareerSource Florida.

CareerSource Brevard is the direct service provider for various workforce programs which are fully supported by the U.S. Department of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture as part of awards totaling $10.5 million. All statements, press releases, requests for proposals, bid solicitations, public statements, social media, toolkits, resource guides, website, and visual presentations are fully funded with federal money.