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Theodore King
Friday, January 24, 2020
The new Care and Conserve Plumbing Repair Program is a partnership with the City of Atlanta's Watershed Management Department. The program aims to provide eligible low-income homeowners' assistance with water and sewer repairs, conduct water audits, conduct plumbing assessments, and provide water conservation education counseling. A component of the program is the plumber's apprenticeship program. The program provides Westside residents hands-on training to be qualified to assist plumbers with home repairs. The first group of plumber's apprentices graduated in August and Theodore King was one of these graduates. Prior to the program he was unemployed. He heard about the program through Gateway and was immediately interested. "I wanted to make a change in my life. Instead of all the negative I wanted to go positive," he said. Theodore credits the program and the people in it for helping him to make a change saying, "The people that I was in class with, if it wasn't for them I wouldn't have made it. They were my focal point. Everything I experienced we did together." Theodore is part of the first group of plumber's apprentices and will begin work with Talon Plumbing as part of the Care and Conserve Plumbing Repair Program.
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Sheridy Moore
Friday, January 24, 2020
"I'm a hustler. I always have a plan B," Sheridy says as she sets aside her stethoscope. Sitting in her bright green nursing scrubs waiting for class to start she looks determined. Sheridy heard about Integrity through The Center for Working Families. She got her GED at the Dunbar Center and while discussing her future, she was referred to Integrity. First, Sheridy went through the STRIVE program to prepare herself for the job hunt. She says STRIVE helped her to learn how to communicate to get a job. "I learned how to work in a professional environment. Taking the class made me much calmer," she adds. After completing STRIVE, Sheridy decided to enroll in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class. She was certified seventeen years ago and was confident she could complete the coursework and get a job at a hospital. She highly recommends coming to Integrity for assistance saying, "In this community there are opportunities now. There are resources and jobs available but it's up to you to want it." She's committed to finding the right fit for a job no matter what it takes. As she shuffles her papers and prepares for the class to start she says, "I'm going to put up a fight. And I'm going to win."
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Shawn Summerour
Friday, January 24, 2020
Shawn graduated from the NET/BRIDGE program in summer 2018. He learned about the program through Hope House. Hope House gave him a chance to "get off the street and start fresh." Shawn has learned a great deal from the program but he says the most important thing is, "You have to start somewhere. You need to be connected to some type of program in order to network and make connections." Before starting the NET/BRIDGE program Shawn worked at a tire shop. He hopes to be able to advance and find a better job as a result of the program. He already has interviews lined up with FedEx and Waffle House. Shawn says the program helped him to take little steps towards his goals. He adds, "People need to be comforted because it's hard to do it all by yourself. It can be very isolating. Everyone needs a helping hand and Integrity has provided that."
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Demetrius Streeter
Friday, January 24, 2020
Demetrius Streeter graduated from the NET/BRIDGE program in summer of 2018. Prior to enrolling in the program Demetrius worked the night shift at Wal-Mart. He notes the tough schedule as a major factor in his decision to attend the NET/BRIDGE program saying, "I needed more sleep. I'd love to find a job where I can work the day shift." He hopes that the skills he's developed in the program will help him as he searches for and acquires a new position. He attributes knowing how to present himself in job interviews to the class saying, "I now know the responsibilities it takes in order to get and keep a job." Demetrius has already been spreading the word about NET/BRIDGE and encouraging people to enroll. "I've told people about it and I hope they decide to come," he says smiling. Demetrius values everything he's learned from the class but he says the best part about the program is, "The people. The teacher was so enthusiastic about helping us. Plus meeting fellow students has been really great." Demetrius already has interviews lined up with FedEx and Waffle House and hopes that one of those opportunities pans out.
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