SNAP Program

Digital Inclusion Service

Meet Ana

I am a single mom of 2 daughters, ages 4 and 16. We were living with my parents in Phoenix where I was working
managing a cleaning service. I also helped my father with his office work for his gardening business. When the
Almeda fire broke out in Phoenix, we had to leave everything behind as the fire completed burned down our home.
We are currently staying at my uncle’s home and me, and my daughters, are staying in his RV. It has been a
devastating experience and we have been trying to pick up the pieces and go forward. Currently, a friend of our
family has helped us find an apartment in nearby Ashland, but due to the sanitizing requirements of Covid-19, we
won’t be able to move in for about another month. Jose, in the Medford WorkSource office, has also reached out to
my parents and offered to assist them with any FEMA paperwork or community supports.

I met with a career coach over coffee and we discussed my career goals and what I could use right now to support
myself and my family. My career coach helped me create a resume and discussed options to obtain funding to get
into office management or supervision. Ultimately, I would like to own my own business in a stabile industry. I have
many skills already using Excel and doing payroll, scheduling and working with vendors and hiring and training. I just
need a foot in the door. Dottie, my career coach pointed me towards the medical field and I think that will be a good
direction in the Rogue Valley. I plan to contact the SOHOPE grant staff at Rogue Community College and apply for the
Medical Administrative Assistant training. I believe that will point me in the right direction. I also would like to
explore business ownership through the Small Business Development Center online training.

My hours at work have really dwindled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and I know that with the support of my mom, to
watch my 4-year old, I can do online training with my new laptop. I can’t wait to move forward with my career goals.
With the support of WorkSource Rogue Valley and this laptop and internet service, I can do this!

Through a partnership with the Higher Education Coordinating Commission and Free Geek, OED’s SNAP program provides a digital inclusion service to eligible SNAP participants which allow them the opportunity to participate in skill
development and training, job search classes, networking opportunities, and more. Digital Inclusion Service includes a refurbished laptop, 12-months technical support, 12-month warranty, and digital literacy components from
Free Geek. Funding provided by the Oregon Department of Human Services, United States Department of Agriculture, the State of Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and the Oregon Employment Department.
USDA is an equal opportunity employer, provider, and lender.