Meet Joshua
Mississippi - Meet Joshua
Workforce Success Story Submitted By: CARES of Mississippi, Inc.
Workforce Challenge
Joshua, a 20-year-old, had just been released from a correctional facility where he spent the last three years. He was on 15 years probation. The only identification Joshua had was his prison ID card. He was frustrated because he could not see anything beyond doors shut in his face and constant failure. Even something as simple as a birth certificate was beyond his reach. Joshua needed proper identification, a job, a GED, and someone to believe that his past was just that, his past.
Workforce Solution
After many failed attempts to obtain a birth certificate, The CAREERS Youth Program stepped in and contacted the Department of Vital Statistics. We were able to get his prison ID card approved as appropriate identification and a birth certificate was eventually issued. From this, Joshua was able to get a picture ID card so he could take his GED test. Our program also assisted Joshua by helping him to obtain a TWIC Card as well as steel-toed boots when he was hired as a dock worker at Cold Storage.
We continued to work closely with Joshua to increase both his employment experience and his self-esteem. Joshua's goal was to attend college and he knew that with a felony record that would be a difficult task to accomplish. We continued our support of Joshua and were able to help him research what paperwork was needed in order to make his college dreams come to fruition.
Outcomes & Benefits
Joshua is still working. He finally realized his dream of going to college and started his first semester. He plans to study Business Prep after completing his basic studies.
Joshua has taken the lessons from his past mistakes, and his experience within the Court System, and he now uses them to help counsel other at-risk youth. He continues to work with The CAREERS Youth Program as a valuable mentor and guest speaker.
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