Training Provides a ‘Lift’ for Jenny

Jenny Whiting is a single mother of three children living in Eagle, Nebraska and working in Lincoln as a forklift operator. She got her training and experience at the Center for People in Need, through a program supported by the WealthSpring Fund. 

According to Jenny, it’s a great program.

“In Nebraska if you’re a single mother and you’re applying for social services, you have to do 30 hours of volunteer work a week,” Jenny explained.  “And I think that’s great. If I didn’t work, my self-worth would go down. I can’t stand to feel unproductive. Working makes me feel good about myself.”

Jenny loved working at the Center for People in Need in Lincoln. She worked hard and became experienced in warehousing and in food distribution.

“But I wanted to learn how to work the forklift,” she said.  “I asked John Paul (a forklift operator) if I could be trained and he said, ‘we’ll see what we can do.’ That’s when I learned about the training program. And I passed the test for forklift.

“I’ve always wanted to learn how to run one for years…a friend of mine had a forklift. I’m the type of girl who just likes to do guy’s work. And it pays good–$12 to $14 on up.

“I started driving a 530 Cat sit-down electric forklift and I loved it. They also have platform lifts. They’re high. You have to wear a harness. I never thought I had a problem with heights until I got up there! I also got experience on a Drexel. It can make a 90-degree angle turn, which is really great when you’re working in small spaces,” Jenny said with a sound of satisfaction in her voice. 

“The Center gave me six months of training and work experience and then I became certified. It gave me a lot of confidence. I know I don’t have to be scared. When I became certified, I thought, well, if I can do this, why couldn’t I learn to do that? It just opens up doors to do other things.” 

Jenny currently works at the Lincoln Food Bank. She plans to continue her career and continue to learn new skills.