(Pictured left to right) Annie Biggers and her daughter Zamoni Stewart, along with CareerSource Northeast Florida Career Center Manager Summer Edwards, at Belle Terre Elementary School in Palm Coast.
Annie Biggers says she first learned about CareerSource Northeast Florida as a 13-year-old.
“I just asked someone at the front desk of the St. Johns Career Center, and she explained the whole process to me…walked me through it step by step on how everything worked.”
Of course, Biggers wasn’t looking for a job at that point, but she would interact with the organization years later as an adult.
“I’ve used CareerSource to find previous jobs, but I never really took too much advantage of it like I did recently when I met with a representative from St. Joseph Neighborhood Center, who was at the St. Johns Career Center on a daily basis,” she said.
Through the support provided by the nonprofit ministry, along with CareerSource NEFL and its staff at the St. Johns County Career Center, she started a new job as a Site Manager with Flagler County Public Schools in August.
Founded in 2021, St. Joseph Neighborhood Center is a ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of St. Augustine. One part of its mission is to improve the lives of young single mothers and their children. As such, it provides support in helping these young mothers obtain career certification opportunities, receive counseling, financial literacy guidance, parenting classes, mentoring and other support to help them stabilize their lives.
“I learned about St. Joseph Neighborhood Center’s program after seeing a flyer at the career center,” she said. “After I completed the initial application, Cheryl Lee (the center’s program coordinator) came to my home and helped me complete a second application so my information could be updated. Her willingness to personally assist me made the process feel welcoming from the beginning. Taking that first step became an important turning point for both me and my daughter.”
Biggers says she received valuable mentorship, encouragement and professional support from the program, and credits program manager Ashley Hatcher with helping her remain focused on her goals.
“She encouraged me to continue moving forward, even when the process felt challenging, and consistently provided me with helpful resources, guidance…and a listening ear whenever I needed assistance or someone to talk to,” she said. “Their support helped me build my confidence, recognize my abilities, and remain committed to creating a better future.”
She said CareerSource NEFL then played an essential role in her employment journey, singling out St. Johns Career Center Manager Summer Edwards.
“She consistently sent me job leads that matched my experience, qualifications, and career goals, which included the site manager position with Flagler County Public Schools,” she said. “Because Summer shared that opportunity with me, I was able to apply, interview for the position…and was hired on the spot.”
She added that CareerSource NEFL helped her prepare for the interview, and also offered her professional guidance, encouragement, and continued follow-up along the way.
“Summer helped me prep for the interview, which helped me communicate my experience effectively and approach the interview process with greater confidence,” she said. “Working with CareerSource has been very easy and it has made a huge difference in my life.”
Rebecca Quinones, another team member at the center, assisted Edwards in conducting a second mock interview with Biggers, and also provided a group from the St. Joseph Neighborhood Center with an overview of all the services provided by CareerSource NEFL.
In her new position as Site Manager at Belle Terre Elementary School, Biggers oversees staff and program operations while supporting students and families, maintaining safety and compliance, communicating with parents, and helping ensure the successful day-to-day operation of the school’s Extended Day program.
Shortly before beginning her new position, Biggers earned a Master of Science in Information Technology from Western Governors University (WGU) – which uses a self-paced, competency-based model, allowing motivated students who accelerate their coursework to finish their graduate degree faster and at lower cost.
“I’m grateful that I took this step because it has placed my daughter and me on a positive path toward greater stability, personal growth and new opportunities,” she said. “The mentorship I received and the experience of being welcomed by the Sisters and CareerSource will have a lasting impact on my life.”
Biggers views her new position as the beginning of the next chapter in her career and hopes to continue growing into leadership opportunities within the school system while using her education, management experience, and technology background to support students, families, and staff.
For other young, single mothers who are struggling, Biggers encourages them to ask for help and take advantage of every resource available.
“I would tell them don’t be afraid and to ask for help, stay open to learning and trust the process, the guidance, the mentorship you receive,” she said. “Encouragement can truly change your life if you are willing to put in the effort, too.”