Brandon Lands His Dream Job and is Just Getting Started
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To honor 30 years of Cara’s work to eradicate poverty, we are sharing stories of the participants, partners, and people who made our past, present, and future possible.
“Before I found Cara, I was just out of federal prison, having served three years. At that point, I didn’t know who I was. I was drinking too much. I was using drugs. I knew I was better than this but I didn’t know if I was going to survive.
“I really had to find myself. So, I set out to do that and build myself back up.
“When I was released in April 2020, I was living in a halfway house and I started working for a temp agency in a refrigerated warehouse for a food service company. It was a paycheck, but it felt like it was my last resort. I knew I wanted more for myself.
“I had a friend who went through Cara and the CTA’s Second Chance program. I saw him come from nothing to where he was today. I wanted that for me.
“I joined Cara in September. They provided me a training schedule, and I wanted to do as much of the classes as I could at once. I was so ready to learn. I was doing Cara trainings in the morning and working in the warehouse in the evenings. On top of that, I was maintaining my responsibilities in the halfway house. I had a lot on my plate but I was going to stay focused until I reached my goals.
“I started on the bottom, but today…I can’t wait to continue growing!”
“I’m a self-motivated person but coming to Cara, I saw I wasn’t the only person going through this. It was a big push for me. And I’m very thankful for that.
“In February, I received an email that I was accepted into the CTA’s Second Chance program. I saw my name, and I couldn’t believe it. This is what I had been working toward and I achieved it!
“After two months on the job, I was able to get my own place – a two-bedroom apartment so my 11-year-old son can stay with me on the weekends. I’ve never had a place of my own like this before. It means a lot to me to have this opportunity for me and my son.
“I started on the bottom, but today, I have a plan for myself. I have goals for myself. I can’t wait to continue growing and as long as I keep putting in the effort I’m going to continue to climb. I’m in the door. I got the job I really wanted. Now it’s up to me.”
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