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Yocasta was hired in 2021 as a Covid Vaccine Scheduling Temp, and then joined UWC full time as a 211 Contact Center Specialist working on the housing crisis line. Dia has worked with us for 14 years and is currently an EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) Client Services Representative. Both amazing women joined the U.S. Airforce when they were 19 years old, and for similar reasons – they both wanted something different for themselves.
At the time, Yocasta was attending Springfield College studying criminal justice and working in detention centers. Dia was attending Capitol Community College and not interested in her studies.
Yocasta served in the Airforce Reserves for five and a half years and worked in information management. She actively helped with Hurricane Katrina clean up, and served in Texas, Mississippi and Germany. She is now poised to return to school for her master's degree in human services and shares, “I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. Joining the military was life changing. I learned a lot about integrity, which carries over to my current job. I love working here. I get to serve the state I live in, and a lot of people are in crisis at this time. I get to show callers empathy, provide resources and let them know that someone cares. Everyone needs help at one point or another and I am here to help them.”
Dia likes to try new and different experiences, and when some of her friends enlisted in the Airforce, Dia made a spur-of-the-moment decision to join them. She was on active duty for four years in Security Forces and was stationed in Montana, Korea, and North Carolina, with temporary deployments in Saudi Arabia and Nevada. Dia shares that “enlisting in the Airforce was such a great accomplishment and experience for me, especially travelling overseas. My time in the service taught me how to be independent and responsible. I learned discipline, attention to detail and dedication to my job.”
She knows that the requests she processes “help Connecticut residents get the food and necessities they need.” Dia appreciates that she plays a part in improving people’s lives.
We thank you both for your service!
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