Lathesha Bloom

I was born in Pennsylvania, but now reside in Georgia. I have three lovely children that mean the world to me. I’ve worked in healthcare for over five years because I enjoyed helping and taking care of people. Working as a Critical Care Tech motivated me to go to school to better myself for my children. Not knowing what I wanted to major in, I started retaking core classes. Soon I found out that I was running out of financial aid and was not sure how I was going to pay for school. Once I decided on an awarding career in Respiratory Therapy, I came across information through my school, Oconee Fall Line Technical College, about the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program. I then meet with a Career Facilitator that walked me through the steps on applying. Before finding out about this program, I had financial aid remaining for only one more semester, but had three more semesters of school left and had no clue on how I was going to afford to complete my program of study. The WIOA program helped me with tuition, books, uniforms, supplies, state license, boards, gas, and childcare, etc. Without the financial support from WIOA I wouldn’t have my career today as a Respiratory Therapist. Much thanks and support goes out to this community program.