By Kati Strong, Education Coordinator CLE Austin

At CLE, we have the privilege of working with students from all over our city, state, country, and even international students from around the world during their time in our program.  When they move on to their next steps after CLE we love to hear updates about what they are up to, but don’t always get that opportunity.  So, we often wonder… Where are they now!?  Here are just a few of the student success stories we’ve gathered from former CLE Austin students. (Some student names have been shortened to protect privacy)

Rachel

Rachel - CLE Austin

  • Finished up at CLE in Jan. 2016
  • Continues to live in her own apartment in her hometown.
  • Got her driver’s license in June 2016 and her own car in July 2016.
  • Just celebrated her 1 year anniversary working at H.E.B. as a Customer Service Assistant.
  • Volunteers each week for Hospice of South Texas doing data entry.
  • Volunteers once-a-month at First United Methodist Church helping with the monthly newsletter.
  • Continues to participate in weekly bowling leagues.

K.P.

  • Finished up at CLE in December 2016.
  • Living in family home, but with a view toward moving into independent apartment nearby.
  • Self-advocated to get paratransit services established when she moved back to her hometown.
  • Independently applied for a volunteer position at hometown animal shelter, attended orientation and was accepted as a qualified volunteer.
  • Independently distributed her resume and applied for jobs at various veterinary clinics seeking employment as an animal care attendant.
  • Was hired as a full-time Animal Care Attendant and has been sustaining that employment since late February 2017.

J.B.

  • Completed his CLE program in August 2014.
  • Transferred from Austin Community College to Texas Tech University.
  • Has a girlfriend and a best friend that he regularly plans activities with; Balances his social life well with other obligations.
  • He is on track to graduate with his bachelor’s degree in Horticulture in May 2018.

Marianna and Mitchell

Couple from CLE Austin

  • Finished CLE in Sept-Oct. 2013.
  • Met at CLE and began dating.
  • Now living together and engaged to be married in October 2017.
  • He’s working full-time at Amazon distribution center.
  • She’s volunteering several days per week at an Austin hospital where she started volunteering while at CLE.

B.M., R.G., M.M.

  • Completed their CLE programs in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
  • 3 former CLE students and friends.
  • Living independently in Austin.
  • All hired to work at a large Austin Electronics retailer as Customer Service Associates shortly after their CLE programs ended.
  • G. and B.M. have since been promoted to management roles.

C.O.

  • Finished CLE in August 2016.
  • Works full-time at an Austin area preschool, has maintained employment for 1 year and earned a promotion in that time.
  • Lives with mom and contributes resources toward rent/living expenses.
  • Continuing to study part-time, working toward her Associate’s degree in childcare.