Case Histories - Success Stories

 

The following are brief case histories of employees that came through our program and were very successful or at least we moved them closer to their career path and employment. Of course, we had a number of employees that didn't do as well, some who lasted one or two days but that is how this works. We even had one employment applicant who we rejected because of their current drug use who came to us at a recovery event to thank us for holding the line because we prompted her to stop using. We never always know the impact we have on people. Here are some of those we were able to move closer to their career targets.

 

James M – We had to start with James, and I have told his story numerous times. He came to one of our Saturday morning concerts with a story of having served 17 years at one of our state prisons. He explained that he had been out for two years, had received four job offers but all had been withdrawn once his background check was reviewed. He had told me he was the inmate representative to the warden while in prison which said "leadership" to me. A few months later we had to change our staff and the barista job came open. He had been following us social media and called to apply. Have an interview for the job I informed him he had the job. He said that I probably hadn't seen his background check but I assured him I had. He was a quick study as a barista and the customers and staff loved him. After about six months he came to us with his two week notice because had a been given a job offer by a larger grocery firm in the area. This is of course exactly what he was supposed to do. We sadly congratulated him and he left us. A month later he came to one of our concerts to tell us he was now the third shift lead man and we rejoiced! He is still at that firm today.

 

Sarah R – Sarah came to us at 20 years of age having aged out of the foster care program that she had been in most of her life. She had never had a job and was living with her boyfriend's family. She shared that she had a dream of someday becoming a professional photographer. She learned quickly and was a hard worker. After a few month she came to use with her two week notice because a photography studio had hired her. She is now taking pictures of new born babies at local hospitals!

 

Bill C – Bill was a middle age man who had battled drugs and alcohol much of his adult life. A local AA program had suggested he work for us. He actually helped in the construction of our stage area and other jobs in our relatively new facility. He was able to return to his construction career although he had a couple of struggles along the way. He is one of our first success stories.

 

Catlyn S – She was our first employee and did as much to help us in our program than we helped her. She actually relapsed and left our program with what looked like a failure. One of our volunteers kept in touch with her and the last we saw of her was her picture on the local community college brochure!

 

Kate R – She was unique is that she actually worked for us twice 18 months apart. She was in recovery and came to work for us. She was part of our 12 step program when she relapsed. Fortunately she stayed in contact with and kept working with our Recovery Coach. When she came back she was very successful and hard working. She had a certificate in culinary arts and is now working for food service at a municipal golf course.

 

Tyler B – He was involved in a couple of recovery programs and when we found him he was living in an abandoned house with no electricity. His journey with us was multiple times, usually interrupted by an arrest warrant. He is now doing food service for a large nonprofit food service in the kitchen and is clean and sober.

 

Aden A – Started with us as a teenage volunteer as a bus boy. He was not the traditional person we worked, with no recovery or reentry issues but he was high functioning on the spectrum. He had never had a job before and is working part time for us and is now interviewing for a full time job in the local job market and is going to the local community college.