Stories

Mike

Mike had been in institutions since entering foster care at the age of 4. He was in and out of prison and jail 25 times over 14 years — over half his life. Mike told us, “Where I’m from, we’re taught that you’re the oddball if you’re trying to do something right.” He got out of jail for the very last time last fall and enrolled in our Apprenticeship Preparation Program. A winning combination of Mike’s determination and relentless encouragement from program instructors landed Mike a union carpentry job on the new soccer stadium in LA. Mike spoke to a packed room at his graduation ceremony, telling the crowd, “It’s more than just a dream come true. It’s life coming true.”

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