Mr. Michael M.
Q. When is your Class Anniversary?
A. April 1, 2014! That is an anniversary that I will never forget. Employment Plus Program Class #51.
Q. How are you?
A. I am just about a year older, a year wiser and a year better!
Q. Are you still employed?
A. Yes, I am a Theft Prevention Officer for Global Recycling. I am a full-time employee at $10.00 an hour.
Q. Can you describe your transition since graduation?
A. It’s hard to explain. The day after graduation is like the day after tomorrow. That day is the first day of the rest of your life and the desire to succeed becomes your next motivation. You want to stay at IMPACT but they push you out the door with a life line. Through ongoing case management, I have met with my Family Development Specialist and remained focused on my long term goals.
Q. What are your long term goals?
A. My goal is home ownership. I am currently actively participating in a savings program that will help me decrease my contribution to the down payment on a new home. Homeownership classes are coming along with a strategy to build my credit rating and clean up some things. In order to know that I have truly moved forward, I must own something and purchasing a home is an investment into my future and the future of my family.
Q. How do you feel?
A. My self esteem is at an all time high! I feel better and my health has improved. I am still a big guy but I’ve lost weight and lowered my blood pressure. My transformation is ongoing as I keep challenging myself to be the best person I can be.
Q. What is your biggest fear?
A. The uncertainty of the job market is constant motivation to stay sharp. I would hate to lose my job but that wouldn’t be the worst thing that could happen. The worst thing would be to resort back to the defenseless, helpless person that I was a year ago. I am applying everything that I learned in Employment Plus today, for tomorrow. Now I am confident that I have the skills to remain attractive in the job market and can apply myself based on the employers needs not just my need to get a job .
Q. Has your community changed in the last year?
A. Weinland Park is better because I’m better. I am a part of the recovery of this community and it will get better as more people embrace change. Experiencing poverty makes you feel like you are under attack and trying to regain balance becomes a juggling act. My distorted view of my community was because of my
disposition. I am responsible for any outcome where I can make a difference so today I see my community differently and embrace all of the support being poured into Weinland Park to make it a better place.
Q. Would you recommend The Employment Plus Program?
A. I’ve recommended this program to my friends and anyone that I’ve met who needs a second chance at doing things the right way. My enthusiasm for this program gets me looked at a little crazy. I mean I am velvet voiced, six foot, two inch, 295 pounds of muscle man, whose pitch rises to that of a high school cheer leader when speaking about this program. It’s not a hard sell especially when people can see your transformation.
Q. What would you like to tell CHASE Bank?
A. Your investment into my future is money well spent! I could never thank you enough for supporting IMPACT and what they do. What I gained from this program is priceless and the return on your investment means that somebody like me will achieve his dream and share it with others. My family thanks you. Because of IMPACT and the staff and resources that they used to help me, I am a better person, a better man and a better friend. I would ask that you continue to support Employment Plus. To know that CHASE is more than a bank/financial institute, but a bank that cares about the community, all of it, from the wealthiest to the
poorest means a lot. I believe your slogan is “chase what matters”. I am glad that you did. By looking into Weinland Park when all seemed lost, and finding me, it has truly changed my life.