Koeshea Luster: Bubbly & Happy
Koeshea Luster, like many people, was moving from job to job, living paycheck to paycheck, and trying to figure out what exactly she wanted to do. In December of 2021, Koeshea heard about the SkillUP program – a free program that helps SNAP participants with job skills, training, and employer connections. Koeshea wanted to attend the Southern Missouri Truck Driving School (SMTDS) in Malden, Missouri, but had no idea where to start.
“I had to motivate myself to contact the SkillUP program, but my coach motivated me more by helping me get the funding, and helping me get into school . . . FAST.” At SMTDS, Koeshea learned to drive a 10-speed, manual 18-wheeler truck; she learned what safety really means when operating a Certified Motor Vehicle (CMV), and she learned that the power to change her reality is in her hands. “The program at SMTDS was a 10/10. They helped me achieve the biggest accomplishment of my life!”
Koeshea says that SkillUP and SMTDS, “changed my future,” because she can provide for herself in ways that she never imagined. “I am no longer living paycheck to paycheck. I don’t have to wait until a certain day of the month to go grocery shopping.” She says she’s always been “bubbly,” but now, she has a happiness that accompanies the bubbliness. “I have this license under my belt, and as long as I follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations, I can forever have a good paying job!”
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Most recently, Koeshea got a job with Maverick Transportation and is paid weekly. Her new income allows Koeshea to create, and stick to, a budget. It also allows her more financial freedom, instead of “just paying bills, and being broke.”
Congratulations to Koeshea, her SkillUP coach, and her SMTDS faculty and staff!
Read more SkillUP Success Stories.
This publication/program is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award by ACF/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
The SkillUP program is Missouri’s employment and training program for Food Stamp (SNAP) recipients. The program is funded through the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. The program is also funded through the Administration for Children and Families, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families block grant.
Additional Resources
- The Mo Services Navigator helps you easily search statewide for programs and services you may need.
- The Missouri Resource Guide lists resources available in Missouri to help you and your family move towards a healthier, more stable future.
- The DSS Events Calendar lists job fairs, hiring events, and other scheduled opportunities that may be of interest to you.
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