Rebuilding Independence: Mar'cella Lewis' Journey to a New Beginning

June 23, 2026

For Mar’cella Lewis, returning to work was never just about earning a paycheck. It was about reclaiming her independence, rebuilding stability for her children, and creating a better future.


Mar’cella’s career began the moment she was old enough to work. From retail to management roles in finance and banking, she built a strong professional background and eventually advanced into a senior position at Telco Plus Credit Union. But after stepping away from the workforce to pursue family life, Mar’cella found herself in a controlling relationship. Mar’cella soon realized that she was entirely dependent on her partner for everything and that the person did not have her best interests in mind. Mar’cella found herself needing to remove herself and her children from that situation and start over. “In order to escape, I needed work,” she shared. As a single mother of three, Mar’cella knew she needed immediate stability for her family. Mar’cella had been pursuing a career in real estate through at-home courses, but soon realized she could not afford to wait for success to come later.


“I couldn’t wait for income to come to me. I needed to go find it,” she said. And her search led her to the doors of Workforce Solutions East Texas. “That’s the best decision I could have made, walking through those doors.”


From the beginning, Mar’cella felt supported. Workforce staff helped rebuild her resume, guided her through Work Readiness and Microsoft training classes, and provided encouragement during one of the most difficult seasons of her life. “They made me feel like they wanted me to win,” Mar’cella said. Mar’cella reflects that from her Career Navigators, Amy Hollins and Danielle McClain, to her Outreach Specialist, LaShawn Crawford, to her Business Outreach Specialist, Theressa Jackson, they were willing to invest time in her success.


Before interviewing for a Work Experience (WEX) opportunity at the Law Office of Richard Anderson in Marshall, Workforce Solutions staff conducted mock interviews and coached her through the process, helping her restore and build on her previous skills. That preparation led Mar’cella to an opportunity that changed her life. Soon after the pre-placement interview at the Law Office of Richard Anderson, Mar’cella was offered a placement role as his Legal Assistant. Although she had no legal background, Mar’cella quickly excelled during her Work Experience placement. Surrounded by leadership, mentorship, and opportunities to grow, she discovered a career she genuinely loves. “There is no ceiling to what I’ve learned,” she said. “I’m standing next to people I never thought I would stand next to.” Soon after her placement term ended, her dedication and work ethic quickly earned her a permanent position with the firm.


Today, Mar’cella says the greatest thing she regained was her independence. “The devil really tried to convince me I would fail,” she reflected. “Had I listened, I wouldn’t be here.” Instead, she chose resilience. “I gained my independence. It changed everything for me,” she said. “Workforce didn’t just help me get a job; they changed my entire world around.” Now, Mar’cella has stability, a career she loves, and hopes for the future she is building for her children. What once felt impossible has become proof of what can happen when determination meets opportunity.


Looking back, she is most proud of taking that first step. “Do not become comfortable staying uncomfortable,” she said. “Pray, be resilient, and do not give up.”


“All of this is possible because of Workforce,” Mar’cella said. “The programs should really be something that everybody knows about.” For Mar’cella, Workforce Solutions East Texas provided more than employment. It gave her the opportunity to rediscover her strength, reclaim her independence, and rewrite her story. Today, she is no longer surviving; she is building a future that will impact generations of her family.

Verlie Mae Snyder’s Journey of Faith, Care, and Purpose

June 23, 2026
For Verlie Mae Snyder, caregiving has always been more than a profession; it is a calling rooted in faith, compassion, and love for others. Originally from the Philippines, Verlie Mae worked as a Registered Nurse in her home country for eight years after earning her degree. “I love to care for people,” she shared. Working in a faith-based hospital, she believed God was the true healer and that caregivers were tools for bringing comfort and hope to those around them. In 2000, she fulfilled her dream of coming to the United States with deep gratitude and purpose. “I have a giving heart, and I want to give it to the American people,” she said. Her journey was not without challenges. She attempted to pass the NCLEX but struggled with the transition to computer-based testing. Though she did not obtain her U.S. nursing license, she never allowed that to define her. “Nursing isn’t just a license or paper; it’s about loving and caring for people.” Her journey took her through Maryland and Washington, D.C., before eventually settling in Tyler, Texas, where she worked in nursing homes and hospice care, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for using music to comfort patients, she often helped residents reconnect with cherished memories through song and conversation. She also spent a year and a half caring for a local veteran with dementia, creating meaningful memories through simple joys like lake visits, birdwatching, and ice cream outings. Reflecting on his passing in 2025, she said, “I was sad, but happy that I could give him good memories at the end of his life.” After this chapter, Verlie Mae enrolled in Workforce Solutions East Texas through the RESEA program (Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment), which helps individuals receiving unemployment benefits return to work through career coaching and job-search support. There, she met Career Navigator Cheryl Jackson, who helped her strengthen her resume, prepare for interviews, and rebuild her confidence. “She told me, ‘Verlie Mae, you ARE a nurse,’” Verlie Mae recalled. “She lifted me up.” Through Workforce Solutions East Texas, she also accessed training and resources that strengthened her skills. “I tell everyone, go to Workforce Solutions East Texas, and they will help you,” she said. “Workforce has so many programs to help workless people or people that do not know what they want to do.” After months of persistence and faith, Verlie Mae found her next calling at Breckenridge Village of Tyler, a nonprofit residential community supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, where she now serves as a Direct Care Professional. “At Breckenridge Village, I found more than a job; I found a home,” she said. The faith-based environment and focus on kindness align closely with her values. Verlie Mae encourages others to remain hopeful and seek support when needed. “You have to love your work,” she said. “When you love what you do, you come home happy, not tired.” Through every chapter of her journey, Verlie Mae Snyder has remained guided by faith, strengthened by compassion, and committed to serving others. Her story is a reminder that purpose is not defined by a title, but by the lives you touch along the way.

Texas Adds More Than 17,000 Jobs in May

June 23, 2026
Texas reached a total of 14,419,200 nonfarm jobs after adding 17,800 positions in May. Over the year, the state added 98,000 jobs for an annual growth rate of 0.7 percent, outpacing the national growth rate by 0.4 percentage points. Texas’ civilian labor force registered at 15,901,600 after adding 6,800 people over the month. Over the year, Texas’ civilian labor force has added 43,500 people. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in Texas remained stable at 4.3 percent. “The addition of more than 17,000 positions in May highlights the industriousness of Texas employers and expanding opportunities for Texas’ highly skilled workforce,” said TWC Chairman Joe Esparza. “Driven by our entrepreneurial spirit, Texas continues to outpace the nation in job growth, and TWC offers a wide variety of programs to maintain this momentum.” The Trade, Transportation, and Utilities industry had the largest private sector over-the-month increase in May after adding 7,100 jobs. Leisure and Hospitality added 3,900 jobs over the month while Mining and Logging added 3,800. Construction posted the highest annual growth rate of any major industry for the 22nd month in a row at 2.1 percent in May. “As our labor force continues to experience positive over-the-year growth, we are ensuring Texas workers have more paths than ever to build rewarding careers,” said TWC Commissioner Representing Labor Alberto Treviño III. “TWC remains committed to increasing the availability of apprenticeships, internships, and skills training programs that prepare our workforce for the high-demand roles of the future.” The Midland metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had the lowest unemployment rate with a not seasonally adjusted rate of 3.1 percent in May. It was followed by the Abilene and San Angelo MSAs, which registered at 3.4 percent. “The growth we are seeing in Texas trades and industries highlights the outstanding talent and expanding opportunities available to Texans,” said TWC Commissioner Representing the Public Brent Connett. “As Texas continues to grow, we support and partner with business, community, and workforce leaders across our state to help job seekers connect with employers searching for new talent.” Employment estimates released by TWC are produced in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. * All estimates are subject to revision. To access this and more employment data, visit TexasLMI.com . The Texas Labor Market Information Data for June is scheduled to be released on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. (CT). 

A New Beginning: How Partnership and Purpose Changed Cory Spotts’ Future

June 23, 2026
When news spread in 2025 that Job Corps campuses across the nation would be closing, fear and uncertainty quickly followed. For many students, Job Corps had been more than a training program. It had been stability, support, and home. Suddenly, many young people faced an uncertain future, with some even turning to homeless shelters as they searched for a place to go. When Workforce Solutions East Texas learned about the closures, the organization knew immediate action was needed. A conversation with community partner Jarvis Christian University sparked a collaboration that would become a lifeline for displaced students. Like many others, Cory Spotts did not know where to turn when the closure announcement came. During exit counseling sessions, students learned about an opportunity at Jarvis Christian University that offered far more than education. Jarvis stepped forward to provide housing, meals, school supplies, clothing, counseling services, academic support, and spiritual guidance, creating a safe and supportive environment for students trying to rebuild their futures. Dr. Glenell M. Lee Pruitt, President of Jarvis Christian University, summed up the university’s mission simply: “If they’re talking about closing Job Corps, there has to be a safety net for these young people. Jarvis will be that safety net.” To further support students’ long-term success, Jarvis partnered with Workforce Solutions East Texas to create meaningful Work Experience opportunities. These placements allowed students to earn income, strengthen their skills, and gain valuable hands-on experience while continuing their education. For Cory, the impact was life-changing. “I can definitely say it broadened my horizons,” he shared. “I love going to work. I really look forward to working every day.” Through the WIOA Youth program and Workforce Solutions East Texas, Cory found more than employment opportunities. He found encouragement, guidance, and a community invested in his success. When Workforce staff discovered he did not have a computer to complete his schoolwork, they worked together to provide one, removing another barrier to his future. Cory recently completed his Work Experience placement with the IT department at Jarvis and has since transitioned to an On-the-Job Training opportunity in the same department, continuing to build his career path in information technology. For Dr. Dorothy Langley, the Dean for Adult and Continuing Education & the Project Lead for Workforce Initiatives at Jarvis, who helped develop the partnership between Jarvis and Workforce Solutions East Texas, the collaboration holds deep meaning. “What my president did, that vision she had to pull us all together to work for young people, it just means a lot. This has blessed our souls.” Steve Lynch, the Collaboration Manager for Workforce Solutions East Texas, further elaborated that the partnership changed the lives of not only the impacted students but also of all individuals involved. For him and the team at Workforce, seeing the impact of the partnership left many in awe of the work that had been done. He reflected on the fact that many of the Job Corp students might have been homeless and how this partnership changed their path immensely. “We serve people. What are their outcomes? Are they better off?” Steve reflected, “When I hear the stories, are they better off? They are so much better. They were given an opportunity, a new beginning. I think that’s the mission of Workforce.” For Cory Spotts and many other students, that new beginning became possible because a community chose to step forward when they needed it most. Together, Workforce Solutions East Texas and Jarvis Christian University transformed uncertainty into opportunity, proving that hope can still thrive when people come together with purpose.
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