Altai Steps Closer to His Dreams
Before Cara Collective, I was trying to rebuild my life after serving 30 years in prison. I was in a work release program and was determined to prove to my family that I can make it on my own. I’ve always been someone with a plan, someone moving toward a goal.
But after being away from society for so long, I realized that determination alone wasn’t enough. There were roadblocks everywhere. Employers saw my background before they saw me, and I lacked the experience needed to get my foot in the door.
That’s when I learned something important: sometimes even the strongest people need help.
After three decades away, I needed guidance, structure, and support. Coming to Cara gave me exactly that.
Cara really gave me a leg up as I was rebuilding my life. They provided everything from clothes and a bus card to a hot meal each day. The program also pushed me outside of my comfort zone. After spending so much of my life isolated, I had to learn how to be more open, more social, and more willing to connect with others. Those skills were just as important as anything I learned about work.
Feeling supported like that meant a lot to me. It made me feel better prepared for my job opportunity.
My first opportunity came on Cara’s facilities team. I was grateful for the chance to work, earn a paycheck, and learn on the job. No task was beneath me. Whether I was cleaning, maintaining the building, or helping wherever needed, I took pride in my work because I wanted people to see me for who I am today, not for a mistake I made decades ago. Cara helped me become work-ready and gave me a chance to prove myself.
That opportunity opened the door to where I work now – UChicago Medicine in food service. I started in a temporary role, learned every position I could, and eventually had the chance to step into the kitchen as a cook. Before long, my supervisors recognized my skills and offered me a permanent cook position. Today, I help run a busy station serving meals to hundreds of people each day, and I take tremendous pride in that responsibility.
My job has given me something I wanted from the very beginning: independence. I’m no longer a burden on others. I can support myself, make plans for my future, and move closer to my goals.
One of my proudest moments came last Thanksgiving when I was finally able to cook dinner for my family. It might seem like a simple thing, but for me it represented everything. It meant I was standing on my own feet and able to give back to the people who supported me.
I’m still working toward my ultimate dream of owning a restaurant one day. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that there’s opportunity out there, even when it feels impossible to find. Every person is worthy of the best that life has to offer. I’m proof that with support, hard work, and a chance to succeed, transformation is possible.
Your support of Cara Collective helps build the foundation for success. Learn more at www.caracollective.org/give.
