For four days and five nights, Sergio and his family were trapped inside their home by Hurricane Katrina. After being rescued and seeking refuge with family in Chicago, he and his family moved back to New Orleans, but the cost of living had gone up, reliable employment was hard to find, and crime had increased.
Sergio and his family eventually settled down in Paducah. After two years of working in fast food, he found a construction job that allowed him to begin rebuilding his life. He worked in construction for 10 years, then the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which left him jobless yet again.
“After I did all that, I was like, ‘What am I going to do to make money?’” he said.
Sergio turned to selling drugs, which landed him a felony charge. He was introduced to the Goodwill Opportunity Center in Paducah when he was released from incarceration.
“I was just toughing it out, trying to figure out what I was going to do, then I found this place,” he said. “I was like, ‘There’s no way those people have those opportunities.’ Then I just came to the office one day and started taking classes, and I’m still thirsty for more.”
Sergio has completed our job training classes – and he was even connected with a bicycle through our transportation assistance programs. He is preparing to get certified in information technology, which leads to employment with an average wage of $50,000 annually.
“It was just so welcoming,” he said. “Everyone was so nice and willing to listen. They really wanted to help. It was a great experience, and I’m still experiencing it. They’re right behind you.”
Sergio’s Career Coach connected him with a job in fast food again as he prepares to take his next step in IT. He said his Goodwill support system motivates him “step by step.”
“It’s still a journey,” he said. “They’re helping me get there. I love their slogan, too – it’s not a handout, it’s a hand-up. … That’s what I really love about this place. Once you get a job, they’ll come and sit and be a customer. That is amazing to me.”