At age 25, Victoria had a history of Domestic Violence, was living alone with her two children, didn’t know where to go or how to go about things.

“I had to start from “ground zero,” Victoria said.

She hadn’t worked in two years when she was told about the Full Employment Council (FEC) programs offered through SkillUP, and she enrolled.

“It takes someone to show you that there’s more. "Victoria said. "You can achieve even more. You can be a better person and not have to settle.”

Getting back in the workplace gave Victoria confidence as a mother that she hadn’t had for two years. She was able to support her children by herself, and it gave her a new-found respect for herself that she had lost.

“My kids are benefitting greatly,” she said. “They’re mom used to be so quiet and stayed home all the time; really didn’t have the energy to play with them because I wasn’t happy & they could tell. Now, we do all kinds of things."

Now, on Victoria’s days off, she has the means to go to the park or go shopping and get new shoes her children want.

“They see me happy,” she said, “and that’s what they needed. As two little girls with a mom with the past that we had, they needed that. They’re happy.”

The SkillUp program offers Food Stamp recipients the opportunity to gain skills, job training and work experience through local colleges and job centers across Missouri. This no-cost program is offered through the Department of Social Services, Family Support Division (FSD).

SkillUP offers services, such as:

• Staff Assisted Job Searches

• Job Search Training

• Work-Based Learning

• Vocational Training

• Education

• Supportive Services

If you are eligible for SkillUP, you can take advantage of classes, training, and work experience based on your individual needs. Community colleges across the state offer SkillUP participants training for careers in areas like construction, health care, and many others. These colleges include St. Louis Community College in St. Louis, Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, and others throughout Missouri.

To check out a list of providers and find out more about SkillUp, visit On.mo.gov/SkillUp or call 855-FSD-INFO (855-373-4636).

SkillUp is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS).